The final 8km and 4km race of the Super Sport Series took place yesterday morning, conditions were as expected this time of year – extremely hot and disgusting!  In the 8km unfortunately we had no senior female ABRaS however in the mens race currently in ABRaS try out sessions Abdallah Harrati took first place in a time of 27.59.37, Junior coach Tony Arnell finishing 2nd in age 40-49 age category with Angus Maccormick in 3rd 31.47.88.

A fantastic performance by our junior Harris Carvel 12 years of age competing in 8km finishing in a respectable time of 36.51.06. We had a great show of juniors competing in 4km along with yours truly pacing her son Max whom decided to outsprint me with 500m to go! ABRaS Junior girls age category 9-12 took podium positions 1st, 2nd and 3rd (Anna, Sienna & Luca) with Junior girls 13-18 taking 2nd,3rd & 4th (Skye, Romy & Claudia)

4km Results

• Max Powell – 4th overall and 1st in age category 16.34.41
• Debbie Powell – 1st Female and 5th overall 16.49.89
• Anna Knightley – 1st (age category 9-12) 17.09.68
• Sienna Gordon – 2nd (age category 9-12) 18.26.14
• Linus Kastner – 4th (age category 13-18) 18.48.42
• Luca Kastner – 3rd (age category 9-12) 19.17.03
• Skye Whistler 2nd (age Category 13-18) 23.20.83
• Romy Hunt 3rd (age category 13-18) 24.08.33 (DAVID HUNT daughter)
• Claudia Duarte (age category 13-18) 24.08.97

Well done to everyone that took part in our first Inter-Club Track 5000m.  Congratulations to Emma and Ali taking 1st position (although we did have a guest who actually took first place in the mens race).   Ali also claims a new ABRaS Senior Men’s record.

Apologies for the delay in the start of the ladies/junior race this was due to verifying the men’s results.  Below, please find the result sheets for men’s and ladies.  To make the race fair, we only had 3 ladies to score and 6 men who were identified before the race.

ABRaS AC are currently leading, followed by DCS and DRR. We hope you all enjoyed the race and hope to see you back for the 3000m in 2 weeks time on Monday May 14th.

Race Results

The 32nd London Marathon took place on 22 April 2012, one of the world’s largest, sponsored by Virgin Money and known as the Virgin London Marathon.  The race organised by former 10,000m world record holder David Bedford (as Race Director) is set over a largely flat course around the River Thames – the race begins at three separate points around Blackheath and finishes in The Mall alongside St. James’s Park.
The 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 kilometres) London Marathon event is generally regarded as a very competitive and unpredictable event, and conducive to fast times. Conditions last Sunday were next to perfect as the race posted some very fast times at the sharp end with Mary Keitany first lady home (winner of RAK Half) winning the ladies race in a time of 2:18.37 with Wilson Kipsang, completing a Kenyan double crossing the finish line in 2:04.44.
Congratulations go to Julie Rayfield, Anna Berrill, Angeline Wehbe, Sally Johnston, David Hunt and Stuart Arbuckle who performed fantastically in this big city marathon.

• Julie Rayfield (ex ABRaS Coach)  3.15.30 PB by 5 mins
• David Hunt 3.21.35
• Sally Johnston 3.23.12
• Anna Berrill 3.28.33
• Angeline Wehbe 3.30.38
• Stewart Arbuckle 4.36.07

 I haven’t received any reports yet other than a text from Anna and this is what she had to say …OUCH! quads cramped at half way, walked a bit, just hadn’t done enough miles so pleased to finish and fine with it.  Won’t be able to walk for days though!  If you have been inspired and fancy your chances next year in London then entries open Monday 30th April, demand as always is expected to be high, so please make sure you log in early.

Each year, ABRaS hold track races (5000m, 3000m 1500m & 800m) for our members.  This year, we are extending the invite to a select number of clubs in Dubai.

To enter

If you’d like to enter a team, please speak to your Club Chairperson for more details.  Note: To avoid overuse of the track, numbers will be striclty limited.  A small entry fee of 15 aed (to cover trophy cost/medal costs etc for each runner) will be applied.

Dates
April 30th – 5000m (6 male, 6 Female from each Club)
May 14th – 3000m ( 6 Male, 6 Female from each Club)
June 4th – 1500m (6 Male, 6 Female from each Club)
June 18th – 800m plus 4 x 400m relay (A & B Team) 3 Male, 3 Female from each Club plus 4 x teams of 4 for the relay.

The trail race was held the day before, 6th April 2012, the 56km and 21km Two Oceans events, so fortunately Darryl was not subjected to the challenging weather experienced in the half and ultra. A tough course nevertheless, again taking in some major mountainous climbs including Devils Peak! yet Darryl  finished in a remarkable time of 2:24 in which he was placed 30th overall in a field of 800 runners. A great achievement, congratulations Darryl.

View Cape Epic results on the official race website.

About the race

The Absa Cape Epic takes place every year around the last week of March and the first week of April. The race is held over 8 days and includes a time-trial prologue. The route changes every year, and leads aspiring amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through approximately 800 kilometres of the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape and up approximately 15 000m of climbing over some of the most magnificent passes in South Africa

I was extremely happy to hear how some of our members waste no time in competing in some international events, at the very last minute!! whilst taking a holiday/break away from Dubai.   Not sure what triggers this last minute decision making, yet it is pleasing to see the benefits of consistent training and confidence in  yourselves to enter these events. It is in this light that Congratulations goes to Sonja Ellmann, Lesley Jones and ex ABRaS member Cath Todd.

Sonja was the first female home in the in the dead sea half marathon 1:26:27, Lesley Jones came 2nd (5th woman overall) in the 40+ women vets in the 50km Ultra 4:55 06 and Cath Todd was the 1st female home in the 50km Ultra in 4:14:04. I did hear Cath was planning on running further that day but was forced to stop due to the fact she was in the lead and in line to win. Encouraging to witness such natural ultra distance talent. Even more encouraging was Sonja’s creativity in getting her entry in at such last minute!! Well done ladies. We still await news from Farid on his results of the Dead Sea Ultra but it appears no listing, so perhaps he was forced to withdraw. See the official website for more details

Running has many benefits, for some of us, it is a time to think! Whilst running across Garhoud bridge and admiring the beauty of the creek early Saturday morning, my mind was cast back upon a beauty of a race so close to my heart. The Two Oceans 56km ultra marathon,Cape town,South Africa. 

Two of our very own talented ABRaS members, Jane Khan and Hamid Khan came to mind amongst some of my other running friends  from Dubai, South Africa and Zimbabwe. They were competing, on Saturday 7th April 2012, with over 10 000 competitors in this Ultra Marathon. It is sincerely  a spectacular race whereby the route takes in both the Indian and Atlantic Ocean,  mountainous regions of Chapman’s Peak, Constantia Nek, the forest and finishing on the majestic grounds of the University of Cape Town. The most spectacular scenery and atmosphere may be witnessed along route.

This year one could say appreciating the scenery was debatable!! Upon completing my morning run I was stunned when I began checking the website and  live streaming the Two Oceans Race; the conditions of this years race were extremely challenging to say the least!!! Rain, gusty winds and icy cold!!….. for most of the duration, if not the entire race up to the cut off time of 7hrs. If you are familiar with the wind speed and weather of the cape at this time of the year,it is always a gamble when competing in this race. It is in conditions like this that hyperthermia can set in. Jane  and Hamid Khan battled against these environmental elements on race day, yet finished extremely well. Jane Khan  4:41:21 and Hamid Khan 4:57:18. Congratulations to you both. A fine effort. Awesome staying power and determination were displayed by both of them. Sincerely hope the weather improves for the rest of their visit to the Cape!

Hi Runners,

It’s always a relief once the race and results have been finalised but it is also sad that it’s the end of another season. Thank you to you all for supporting our event which has now proven to be a popular series in the Dubai racing calendar – we promise to be back in October for another series! Our ABRaS race commitee have enjoyed hosting the event and we are delighted that we have delivered another successful series without too many hiccup’s along the way!

Congratulations to our overall series winners Jane Khan and Jeremy Curran, it was very close in the open female category both Jane Khan and Emma Phillips both ending the series with 5 points …  in this situation the ABRaS Race Director reviews the 3 recorded times and the fastest time wins the series.  Jane’s fastest time was 36.22 from Race 1 and Emma’s 37.05 from Race 2.

Jeremy was a clear winner with 7 points.
Results can be viewed online now through the following :-

http://www.premiertiming.com

Photo’s for race 3 can now be viewed http://photos.abrasac.org/ABRaSMina10K1112Race3 .

Please note, you get the discount on bulk purchase as follows:
Buy a High Resolution picture for USD 4.99 , or a Package with ALL the Race 3 Photos where YOU star for ONLY USD 14.97

Our 10km race series wouldn’t be possible without the support of Theo and his team from Club Mina at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi.
Also our sponsors

Sport in Life – GU, 2XU and Nathan products

Aerofit

Direct – Trading – Avia Trainers

Thank you also to the below companies for donation of prizes

MMI

Siam Tranquility Spa
Arabia Outdoors

Up & Running Physio Centre

Drinks at the end of the three races were greatly appreciated – thank you to Arab Beverages.
Premier Marathons
Thank you to Nathan & Rami at Premier Marathons for being so supportive night and day throughout the build up to our races and for delivering results in a super quick time.

We look forward to seeing you all for 2012/13 series

Keep training and stay fit!