Daily archives: May 13, 2012


Musketeers Newsletter: Issue #2

From the editor: Welcome to the second Musketeers newsletter of the year. 2012 has already been eventful. The future of the club looks brighter than ever with a growing reputation for enthusiastic membership and slick ‘professional’ organisation.

NEW CHAIRMAN

For those who have missed the biggest news: Congratulations to Sharon Adams for being chosen as the PM new chairman after a vote by the faithful at the AGM. Sharon fills the shoes of the club’s first ever chairman Bryan King having formed the club over four years ago.

Sharon is well known to most of you as an active long-term member and for her role as treasurer and selling club clothes. She is also a keen racer and rewards us all in her role as biscuits and drinks monitor. Sharon is also qualified to take running groups.

FIRST PRESIDENT

For the first time PM now has a life-long president, a consequence of Sharon taking Bryan’s position as chairman. Bryan is now president – reward for forming the club and helping become the fastest growing running club in the Plymouth area and probably the most friendly – as our motto goes.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chris M-P remains coach co-ordinator and master of the mind games, Kev remains membership king, Neil is still secretary and has reduced his email output, while Thom has snatched the keys of the treasure chest from Sharon as new treasurer and Darren Dunridge is member-without-portfolio. Others: Nicole Balmer is the web master, Ian Luya is the social secretary and Guy the club captain without-uniform

RACING:

The year has begun strongly with larger and more frequent entries than would be expected from a new and relatively small club. This proves there is a strong competitive core, despite our cuddly friendliness. The latest big race was the Saltash half Marathon which drew an amazing 21 Muskies. Other big races are the 3rd June Plymouth Half Marathon and 14th July Duckponds 7km (about 5 miles) at Plymstock (entry paid for by PM).

DOM’S DASH

PM very own 5-mile race in St Dominic, SE Cornwall, in aid of Jeremiah’s Journey charity for bereaved children is on Saturday 23rd June for which sponsorship is sought. Dave Mathias is the expert on that. One way is for members can seek sponsorship for the Plymouth Half to raise money for Jeremiah’s Journey.

SOCIAL

i) After the hugely popular Plymouth Half Marathon a so-called recovery booze cruise has been organised for a mere £5 by Ian – tickets from Caroline.

ii) Neil and Caroline’s wedding party on June 9 at PM club house, following his Dartmoor Discovery Race – ultra marathon. Must be bonkers!

By Guy


Saltash Half Marathon, 6 May 2012

A fantastic turn-out by Team Musketeers in the Saltash Half Marathon – one of the top 5 hardest road or off-road half marathons in the SW.

Twenty members and one past member ‘survived’ the 13 miles round the rarely level course round Saltash and Forder taking in the scenic hills which have distant and close river and woodland views.

There is little respite from the up and down clines, but the undulating course also keeps runners’ attention and there is no chance to be bored or pray for the end because there is too much to needing your concentration and because you are too out of breath to pray!

This was a record start for the Musketeers in this race and a close second to the record Plymouth Half entry last year. It was very rousing to see such happy people all in a strange turquoise colour finishing a tough race and none were broken athletes.

I like to think our mutual bond as a band of brother and sisters carries us through the toughest miles in such races. It is a spirit demonstrated by the joint finish of several Muskies all holding hands – probably because they’d otherwise fall over! … And shown by the noisy reception for everyone at the finish by those who had already suffered.

The race started for the first time at Saltash FC next to the leisure centre and was a far better venue than at the town hall. This left space for food and retail stands which made it feel like a proper event. Steve was a masterful master of ceremonies for the Tamar Trotter race and somehow avoided being rude to the top club in the Plymouth area. The race was excellent value with a great goody bag and running shirt for only £10 – lessons to be learned by other race organisers.

On a negative side the route was much too convoluted on return to Saltash, which led to doubt in tired minds and hindered progress on weary legs when you needed nothing to worry about apart from finishing.

Saltash conquerers out of 176: 28th Guy B 1h37m, 69th Neil W 1.47, 72nd Mark P 1.49, 88th, Darren D 1. 50, 122nd Chris W 2h, 125th Sarah H 2.1, 130th – 131st Bob C and Sharon S, 2.02, 136th Lucy S 2.05, 144th Nicole B, 2.07, 146th Sharon A 2.08, 149th Sam G 2.09, 159th Caroline E 2.23, 165th – 171st Louise K, 2.28, Kev 2.28, Annette T, 2.28, Ian L, 2.28, Michael P 2.28, Dave W 2.28 and Bryan K 2.28. As a newly returning member it was good to see Sharon S racing again, she sure picked a tough one to make a come-back.

Former member Jenny Kumah 110 1.55.

By Guy