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Race Result January 2009

24^th January 2009
Inter Schools Cross Country Champs - Hatta
A great event, well organised by Dubai College and well supported. The 5km course included gruelling terrain and a very steep hill. The senior boys race was won by Ryan in 19.35 and the girls' very impressively by Carina Rodd in 22.24, both Ryan & Carina set junior club records over 5km.

16^th January 2009
Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon and 10km
by Chris Taylor

It is hard to know where to begin to describe the performance of the ABRaS runners in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, although the task would have been made easier were it not for the fact that most people were entered as Creek Striders (thanks Phil!!). Luckily I was in the position to watch much of the race and what a spectacle and I don�t mean watching the great Haile Gebreselaisse being paced to a pretty decent 2hrs5 and something. I mean watching 6 ABRaS breaking 3 hours in the same race; I mean a whole host of personal bests and great individual triumphs, and a number of placings and prizes that any half decent British running club would have been proud of. This race really marked the coming of age of the club � more than 23 runners competing in the marathon and at least a further 10 in the 10km. That is more than 60% of the club turning out to race on the same day.

It is hard to draw out the performances to comment on in this race report but I have to start with the impressive form shown by Neil Tait, who recorded 2 hours 43:04. A massive V40 club record, with more than half the race run on his own, Neil showed that marathon running is not just about running to your watch but also involves racing to how you feel on the day. Watching him through the first 10km in close to 6 minute miling you could tell from the expression on his face and the set of his jaw that today was going to be a fast one. Mind you the award for most improved performance when compared to 2008 must go to Fabrice who knocked a staggering 1hr15 minutes off his time, and that with having missed 4 weeks of training recently.

Nick Berrill just keeps on churning out strong performances at this distance, finishing 3rd Vet 40 overall in a time of 2hrs49:13. At the halfway point he was stride for stride with his nemesis Terry Hislop, who finished as 1st placed V45 in a time of 2hrs 50:58, but managed to pull away in the later stages. Closely following them in was Andy Keron who, looking like he meant business with a neater hairstyle than normal, was locked in a tussle with the Italian Stallion for much of the race. He lost out to Antonio but still recorded a strong 2hrs 53:04.

Now these guys are all experienced marathon runners but the next ABRA in was none other than Mr Standard Chartered himself (apparently running sub 3 hours makes up 50% of his performance appraisal this year) � Phil Clarke. Running a perfectly controlled race he nailed the magic 3 hour barrier finishing in 2hrs58:41m, just 18 seconds ahead of the fast finishing Jeremy who clocked a magnificent 2 hrs 58:59. For a running club of our size to have 6 men who can break 3 hours in the same race is pretty impressive.

A short gap followed to one of the most improved athletes of the season (although that is going to be a close run award at the annual social), as Darryl finished in 3hrs 2:11. Some onlookers feel he would have broken the 3 hour barrier if he had not been worrying about the humus recipe for the social the following day!

Andy Brooks, fresh from his winter hill training in the Derbyshire Peak District in the UK, ran a well paces race with one of his old running buddies from Shelton Striders (David Thornton). To an onlooker it appeared that Andy was showing David the sights of Dubai as they ran along the road at a well controlled tempo. David has a great marathon pb from a few years back and finished 2nd V50 on the day. Rumour also has it that Shelton Striders are trying to negotiate a twinning with the ABRaS and I have to say that their hosting of Sioned and I on their Christmas pub run is certainly the right way to go about their courting of our club!!

Another runner who got his pacing right on the day was Richard. Running sensibly in a group which included Marek and Anna, Richard bided his time and kicked in with 10km to go. He completed in a big pb of 3hrs10:16 and has a big chance at sub 3 in his next outing. The next two male runners in were Keith (3hrs 19:06) and Giles (3hrs21:01) both running personal best times which were well deserved after the hard training they have put in with the Road Runners, Striders, Milers, and ABRaS. Dave Thurley looked good at the halfway stage but soon after had problems with his ankle and limped all the way back down beach road in a little outside 4 hours. Dave was naturally disappointed with his bad luck.

Trefor ran with his wife Alison all the way (until she cruelly kicked away in the last few km to finish in 4hrs 14:42, clocking the same time as Jo, both in their first marathon. Trefor finished in 4hrs15:02. Great results for all three newbies to marathon running. Finishing just behind them was Bela Kocsis who ran 4hrs15:45 a PB by over 30 minutes and not far behind him was Lesley Jones in 4hrs16:39.

Tracey led home the ABRaS women in a time of 3hrs07 but did not feature in the results due to another Standard Chartered admin error (just goes to show you should bank with a local bank!!). She looked strong throughout the race although was running on her own for a lot of it. Anna was not lucky enough to get to run on her own instead she had to put up with constant witty banter from Richard and Marek. She was heard to mutter a sigh of relief when Richard pulled away at the 32km mark. Onlookers felt sure she had something in reserve but couldn�t face another 10km of his smutty humour and innuendos. She finished in a time of 3 hrs 14:14 for 2nd in her age category.

Naomi showed her Dubai Half Marathon was not a flash in the pan with an excellent 3hrs 23:57 and is turning out to be a very talented runner. ABRaS women packed the field between 3hrs 40 and 3hrs 55 with Cath completing in 3hrs41:36, Jane in 3hrs 44:26, Janet 3hrs 44:58, Claire in 3hrs49:09, and Kate in 3hrs53:43. All of them looked strong through the race, again a testament to their hard work and dedication through the race with four of them clocking new PBs.
It is normally hard to be on the sidelines of a race but I have to say on this occasion it was an actual pleasure to watch the results of so many hours of hard training transform into so many great performance.

I did not have a chance to watch the 10km race but Emma stormed home to win the women�s race in 37:25, Amanda continued her great run of form to finish 3rd in 41:31 (and they both carried on the same vein of form when gate crashing the VIP party later that night � watch out for photos in Ahlan!). It was great to see Julie taking 2nd place in her category in a time of 42:34 and also great to see Debbi back on the running trail to finish 12th overall lady. Christian finished 9th overall in 36:08 (remarkable given he was suffering from a bad cold and had to run from the Burj Al Arab in the morning being chased by an irate husband). Close behind was one of the newest members of the club, Jason who finished in 37:12. The next ABRaS 10km race is going to be hot! Ryan Harris blew his 10km pb out of the window to finish an incredible 19th overall in a time of 38 minutes. Kieran, who has made enormous strides forward this year, ran well to complete in 40:49 and Matt has a good race in 40:25. Both of these will not doubt be targeting sub 40 minutes in the ABRaS 10km in March.

Dubai Marathon and 10k 2009 ABRaS Race Results

CR - Club Record