Hello everybody and welcome to the latest bulletin from your favourite running club! Did you know that our membership has expanded in recent weeks to 89?  “Gatwick Steve” Graham has also noted that we have 49 men and 40 women so maybe parity of the sexes within our ranks is not too far away.

Like Dolly Parton’s chest your club needs a great deal of support at our big two events in April.

Following a number of disappointing attendances at recent AGM’s, the committee have made a decision to change course this year and make our annual decision-making get together a social event. Therefore everyone is cordially invited to the function room at the James Figg pub on Monday April 2nd. Refreshments will be laid on so no need to fret about getting some nosh after the training run.

Incidentally the Monday training run will commence at 6.45 p.m. so there will be plenty of time to get showered and ready for the AGM at 8.00 p.m. Please do make every effort to attend this year as it would be uplifting for the committee to look out at a sea of happy faces rather than rows of empty chairs!  If there’s anything you would like to be included on the agenda, please contact the Hon.Sec. Howard Papworth.

The annual dinner and awards ceremony for 2012 is fast approaching and it promises to be another fab night out for Thame Runners and a chance to see your club colleagues with their proper clothes on for a change.  As we have selected a local venue it’s hoped that as many members will attend with their partners. You will notice that we have made it a Friday night so everyone will have the whole weekend to recover! Please keep an eye on the website for the final menu options and to book your places for the big social bash of the year.

Last month the Chiltern League season had its denoument at the Cottesloe School in Wing. Normally a venue associated with wind and rain, this years fixture took place in bright sunshine on snow covered fields, just perfect for cross-country running. Thame started the day in 7th place in Division 2, with hopes of hopping up a place, but were overjoyed to jump into the top five aided by a very strong squad. At the close of play the customary team and individual medals were handed out and there was glory for Thame on three fronts.  Hats off to our chairman, Lord Andy Byerley who bagged the gold medal for being the top male vet 40 runner with five outstanding performances. There was silver for Jane “Cannonball” Coulcher in the ladies V35 category and our Jane was also a member of the silver winning ladies vet team.

Having had a slow start to the season back at Watford in October, full marks must go to everyone who ran for the club over the five matches, making it another great season for Thame.

Full details of our season can be found elsewhere on the website.

Last Wednesday afternoon, the 7th March, Thame Runners fielded two teams in the annual gallop around the pastures of Oxford in the long established Teddy Hall Relays. Unluckily for those who chose to run the weather was appalling, with driving wind and rain threatening to blow some of our lighter athletes into the Thames.  However, our intrepid club hasn’t survived for nearly 30 years by having namby pamby quitters in our ranks and my mole in the meadow informs me that we did exceptionally well, with our men’s team finishing in the Top 20. Hearty congratulations to all. I’m sure that our webmaster will have the comprehensive results of our efforts on the website very soon.

As we slowly emerge from the Stygian gloom of another winter, there are much brighter days ahead. As I write there are just two more Wednesday training evenings before the clocks go forward and we head out towards Tetsworth and the golf course once more.

Our very own Mark “the Bard” Emmett is currently compiling a fixture list for the 2012 Swets. Please let him know if you have a favourite run that you would like to be considered for inclusion. There’s only one main requirement and that is we always finish within staggering distance of a pub to recover from the evening’s efforts.

The action normally kicks off in late April/early May so keep your eyes peeled for details.

This event has provided many a lasting memory for runners taking part in the 89 mile trot from Ivinghoe Beacon to Marlborough. In recent years there have been naked hippy dancers celebrating the summer solstice, athletes getting hopelessly lost (every year)  and the everlasting stunning scenery that only the Ridgeway Trail can offer. Thame Runners always enter two teams. “Carry On” Carlton Hobbs is the team captain of the A team and we are also on the lookout for a B team captain. If you would like to be part of the action on June 17th , please contact any member of the committee.  You won’t be disappointed!

Okay, we’re banging on again about our big race this summer. As has been mentioned we now have 89 members in the club and how magnificent it would be if all 89 put their name forward to help in some capacity on June 24th, either by marshalling or helping out at the start/finish area. We are realistic though and appreciate that some of our number will be away on holiday or engaged in other activities on that day. However if you are free to give up an hour or two, please reply to the e-mail which will be falling into your in-box very soon. We would love to have you along!

Happy running to all.

Rod Lavers.