CORNWALL ROAD RUNNING AND RACING GROUP

Minutes of the meeting held Sept 1st 2003

 

THOSE PRESENT:  Neil Tweedie (Chairman), Pete Sargent (Minutes Sec), Mike Hanson (C.A.C. and County Chairman), Sylvia Muller (S.W.V.A.C. and County Treasurer). Alan Rowling, Tony Lett, Angela Burrows, Viv Matthews, (C.A.C.), Mike Erith, Amanda Erith, (E.C.H.), Bob Wicks, Dave Gordon, (Kernow Runners), Peter Mander, Mike Carpenter, (L.R.R.) Lesley Dobson, Graham Dobson, Jan Sargent and Kevin Burnett, (N.R.R).  Colin Bunting, Lance Chatfield, (T.T.), Kevin Harding, (T.R.C.), Caroline Hemsworth, (F.R.R. and An Resek Hellys), Ian Munday, (An Resek Hellys and Helston/Lizard Rotary), Malcolm Vian, (Sticker 5 Mile).

 

APOLOGIES:  Paul Bullock, (N.R.R.) Ruth and David Hatch, (Moorhaven R.C.) Tim Brighton, (F.R.R.), Hilary and David Clatworthy (E.C.H.), Craig Tonkin, (H.R.R.) Chris McQuillen-Wright, (H.R.R.) Chris and Sue Rouncefield (HRR) Jacky Brett, (C.A.D.O.). Barrie Cardew (CR)

 

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING (May 19th) Questions arising.

Mob Match: P.S. requested that the following be minuted. The complicated formulae used in recent years had resulted in problems and delays in producing the results on race day, and the new amended method outlined by D.A. sounded equally complicated and unnecessary. M.E. had made notes and thought the rules reasonably straightforward. NT said November would confirm the situation one-way or other.

G.P.Trophies: P.M. has also offered to sponsor a trophy for the oldest person qualifying. P.M. to purchase and have engraved a trophy of his own liking

UKA/Sweatshop G.P: This was now going ahead, although everyone had received just three and a half weeks’ notice of confirmation. The winning men's team, C.A.C. advised that they would not be going. A.R. confirmed that this was due solely to the short notice and also injury to key members of the team. The winning ladies, N.R.R. advised that they would be sending a team.

County Association Meetings: Request for all clubs to be represented had received a low response. Committee Secretary position appears now to be filled.

Marazion 10K: The date of next year’s race was confirmed as Feb 8th 2004.

 

J.S.  Proposed and V.M. seconded, that the minutes of the May 19^th meeting be accepted.

 

RACE REVIEW.

 

ST BREWARD HALF: N.T. reported that it was O.K. and a typical “charity type” race.

TREE TOPS 5: Numbers up from 210 to 253. Brilliant, well organised race. The revised finish area worked a lot better, with better positioning for the results service.

MEET YOUR MAX: Numbers up from 121 to 144. Muddy, as usual. L.D., who went the “wrong” way, was not happy on the day, but had later apologised for her comments. It was agreed, that the “end fields” need taping off better.

STICKER 5: Numbers up from 201 to 263. Brilliant race. P.B. on holiday in Turkey, had E. Mailed N.T. re the merits or otherwise of accepting entries on the day, and the associated problems with finishers mementoes etc. A surcharge of £2 had turned out to be no deterrent, (as was the case in the St Eval 10k and I.Q. half.). The Mag 7 had accepted no entries on the day, but they had an easily attained limit anyway. After a general discussion, it was agreed that it should be left to individual race organisers to choose what they thought would be best for their particular race.

LAUNCESTON HALF: Numbers up from 182 to214. Great race. The earlier start time worked O.K. and had not deterred runners.

C.A.C. TURKEY TROT: Numbers up from 123 to 195, this being the first time as a G.P. event. A good increase. Changes to the Fun Run had resulted in a better and safer course. A better finish area for the main race.

MAGNIFICENT 7: Numbers down from 320 (no race limit in 2002) to 295, although there were 325 entries and “no entries on the day”. Good race, good prizes, and an excellent report from B.A.R.R. CB indicated that independent appraisal was useful.

5K TRACK RACE: Numbers could have been better, but being right in the middle of 6 G.P. races in 5 weeks, may not have helped.

ST EVAL 10K: Numbers up from 231 to 291. Good race, loads of prizes. Several nice touches all round.

JEREMIAHS JOURNEY: 75 runners, but the race had not been held for 2 or 3 years, also, the night before the Torbay Half. Nice family atmosphere. M.E. not very impressed with the “right hand “ course, and suggested that the opposite way would be much safer. There was also confusion over the allocation of prizes. N.T. hoped that the clubs would support and help the race in future, as both D.H. and R.H. help and support many events around the South West.

INDIAN QUEENS HALF: Numbers up from 162 to 225.The race started earlier, there was a £2 surcharge on the day, and neither had any effect. Good race with excellent fun run prizes (cuddly toy)

ST LEVAN 10K: Numbers around 100.A good race, nice quiet rural route. M.E. reported that there was a longish delay with the results.

 

REQUEST FOR INCLUSION OF AN RESEK HELLYS IN 2004 G.P.

I.M. and C.H. outlined their hopes for next year’s race. Their preferred date of April 25th (when the course would be seen at its best, with the bluebells in full bloom, etc) was thought to be too soon by some (7 days) after the London Marathon. A request was made to possibly consider a weekend in May, which would coincide with a lull in G.P. races (race date to be confirmed). After a general discussion there was no objections to the race being included as a possible for next year. At the next meeting in November the 2004 GP events will be discussed and decided.

 

LEARNING SKILLS COUNCIL.

T.L., Coaching Coordinator for Cornwall, outlined the full details of what was on offer and available to all clubs. A total of £7200 was on the table, and although the paperwork appeared off putting, it wasn't that bad. M.E. spoke of his clubs experiences and the associated benefits. The relevant documents and information were distributed to all present.

 

ENDURANCE DAY: V.M. confirmed that this would be held on Sat Oct 4th at Truro Cricket Club, starting at 9.45 a.m. He requested that all those attending paid their £4 fee in advance of the day, to ensure a prompt start to the days proceedings.

There were already 30 pre entries, everyone being advised to get their entries in quick

He also gave outline proposals for a series of three 5k races to be held next year, one “on road”- possibly the Royal Showground at Wadebridge; one “off road”, and one on the track.

 

C.C.A.A. Report of meeting held Aug 18^th and a subsequent meeting with Active Sports.

Owen Slater, County President and long time supporter of Cornish athletics had recently passed away, and would be “sadly missed”.

It was reported that the County had a total of £3000 offered to them from Sport England, for “development”, which should have been spent by Oct 2nd 2002. This had not been the case, however, monies spent over the period relating to development, had actually been spent, and had come out of County funds, rather than from the Development monies. S.M. has since extracted all the relevant historic information (receipts etc) equating to the aforementioned sum, allowing the County to meet the accounting requirements of Sport England.

A constructive meeting was held with Active Sports (Cornwall). The County Association may be in a position to help Active Sports meet a pre determined financial target which would allow Active Sport to pull down a further four times in funding of the figure raised, thus ensuring a strong financial position which can only benefit our sport in Cornwall.

 

EVENT SAFETY CODE.

A 44-page document for Race Organisers has been produced, which appears to be “pretty good”. A “Guidelines” booklet will also be available shortly, and the updated “Road Running Handbook” is now available.

 

GRAND PRIX after 11 races.

This year has been really good, with numbers well up. G.D. reported that his race sponsors were “well impressed”. Dave Buzza, by e- mail queried how the men’s team title would be decided, depending on the possible outcome of future races. Confirmed, that should N.R.R. obtain maximum points from the 3 remaining rounds, hence drawing level with C.A.C.  On total points scored, i.e. 798 points, C.A.C. would win, by virtue of the greater number of “head to head” victories over N.R.R.

 

ST JOHN AMBULANCE RACE, BOCONNOC. Sept 14th.

N.T. recommended that as many as possible support the event as a “thank you” for all the hard work put in by S.J.A. when supporting road races around the County.

 

QUESTIONS/A.O.B.

q       The Ron Hill road show will be at the Exeter Arena on Fri Oct 10th.

q       A.B. requested help with marshalling for the Duchy Marathon.

q       V.M. advised that the prospect of a low turn out at the R.W.in F. course on Sept 13th could result in it being cancelled, therefore, sign up quickly.

q       D.G. enquired as to whether or not any of the “development” money could be used to purchase a “race clock” for County events. Not possible at present, but M.E. will enquire/ negotiate the possibility of hiring the clock used by the E.C./W.D. forum for as many of our races as possible for a suitable fee.

With nothing else to talk about, and “MARS” clearly visible above Roche Rock, the meeting ended at 10 05p.m. The date of next meeting will be Nov 3rd, when a volunteer will be required to take and reproduce the minutes, P.S. and J.S being away on holiday.