CORNWALL
ROAD RUNNING AND RACING GROUP.
Minutes of the meeting
held FEB 17th 2003.
THOSE PRESENT: Neil Tweedie (Chairman), Pete Sargent (minutes sec.), Doug Alsop ( chairman-designate/F.R.R.), Barrie Cardew, Brian Wills, (both Carn), Dave Buzza, Angela Burrows, Alan Rowling, Viv Matthews, (all C.A.C.), Amanda Erith, Mike Erith, Hilary Clatworthy, (all E.C.H.), Steve Chapple, Chris Rouncefield, (both H.R.R.), Dave Gordon, (Kernow Runners), Jim Baker, Doug Smith, (both L.R.R.), Raymund Rogers, (NQ/PAR), Paul Bullock, Graham Dobson, Lesley Dobson, Jan Sargent, Tony Wright, (all NQ.R.R.), Colin Bunting, Maggie Bunting, Bill Phillips, (all T.T.), and Kevin Harding, (T.R.C.) Phil Richards (CCAA) Annette Montague-Thomas (GNHT)
APOLOGIES: Kevin Burnett, Bill Muller, Sylvia Muller, Tony Lett, Peter Mander, and Dawn Roberts.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (Oct 28th): Race start times: - Both The Indian Queens Half and The Launceston Half are opting for earlier start times.
Team Prizes: - Since the last meeting Grand Prix male an female club team perpetual trophies have been introduced.
RACE REVIEW:
CORNISH MARATHON: Numbers up from 129 to 153 (entries), attributed mainly to the cancellation of Snowdonia Marathon a few weeks earlier. Well-organised event, (see below for details of B.A.R.R. scrutiny). GD found the course “very easy, as usual”.
MOB MATCH: Presentation “not very good”, problems with results, due to a first attempt using a computer, not helped by the Falmouth “old established tradition” of which vets count for what. AR queried the age of female veterans starting at 40. To simplify matters, and hopefully speed up the results it was suggested that a straightforward method of “calculations” be used in future. (Action DA to go back to F.R.R. for discussion.
TURKEY TROT: Numbers up from 109 to 125. Good, safe course for runners, (all left hand turns). AR apologised for the problems at the presentation, caused by errors in recording the finishers, but will be rectified next time.
BROWN WILLY: Good event with plenty of glorious mud. A marvelous sum of £350 raised and donated to the S.J.A.B. (to assist in the purchase of a rope strong enough to pull vehicles stuck in mud!)
BLAYTHORNE 10: Numbers slightly down ( T.T. effect). Went very well, with a much more suitable finishing area.
WADEBRIDGE 7: Numbers similar to last year --219.However, MAJOR PROBLEMS, including: lack of co operation from Sports Centre staff on the day, at least 8 requirements of the UKA Permit not addressed, including no “lead” or “sweep” vehicle, and the lack of marshals on the day. No entry forms available in weeks prior to the event. In fairness to the main organiser Debbie Dunleavy, she is not in the position at the Centre to, for want of a better word, “bully” her superiors into getting things done properly. Having taken into account problems with the race in previous years, it was proposed by BW, and seconded by KH that the race no longer be included as a G.P. race for 2004. This was carried unanimously. Action NT Send letter to Debbie Dunleavy
Further discussion then took place as to the merits of replacing this race with a new event, preferably at the same time of the year, which would be promoted/organised jointly by all Cornish clubs, with the proceeds going towards the Grand prix running costs. This was agreed in principle, (Action everyone…all present to go back to their clubs and come up with any suitable venues/ideas etc.
ROUND CORNWALL RELAY (10-11TH JUNE 2003): The event organiser Raymund Rogers distributed details of the proposed event to those present, followed by a presentation of his plans. The Trust founder, Annette Montague-Thomas, then presented details of the charity benefiting from the event, namely THE GLOBAL NATURAL HEALTHCARE TRUST. Reservations about the “two-day” time factor and the general safety aspect of the runners were aired, insurance etc. PS indicated that BARR had insisted that no runner should run alone in the Round Britain event. It was generally agreed that there were not too many runners of the standard required actually available in Cornwall. Nevertheless it was agreed to support Raymund in whatever way possible. (Action everyone please…
SPONSORSHIP FOR 2003: Duchy Hospital will donate £600, NT would have liked more.
DUCHY HOSPITAL GRAND PRIX PRESENTATIONS: Trophies considered excellent, with thanks to PB and St Austell trophies.
GRAND PRIX RESULTS (after two rounds): Everyone happy that Dawn Roberts is doing an excellent job. NT agreed that the lay out of results was a big improvement on previous years!!
FUTURE OF CORNWALL COUNTY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION: NT expressed his sadness at the loss of Derek Burrows as Chairman and concern for his continued help in other areas. AB confirmed that her husband had no intention of relinquishing his many voluntary duties including timekeeping at Road Races. The meeting agreed that Derek has done much for our sport over the years. Phil Richards, (the current General Secretary to the County) spoke and reported that the Treasurer had also decided to call it a day for varying reasons. Past meetings had been poorly attended, and he thought that it was time for new, younger blood to come on board, and possibly a complete restructuring of the association was necessary. Unless this happened, the association was in a real danger of folding. BW pointed out that the opposite applied to the Road running section in the County, i.e. Regular meetings with all club reps in attendance, positive input from all involved, with NT reporting to the Association the happenings in Road Running, then reporting back any developments from the County. Some clubs felt there had been poor communication from the County. Phil indicated personal difficulties, which had not helped the situation. With the C.C.A.A. requesting input from the road running section, it was agreed that all clubs should have at least one representative at the C.C.A.A. AGM at ROCHE on Monday Mar 3rd starting 7 30 pm.
During discussion on this topic NT indicated that in his opinion the recent interviews for the important post of Cornwall’s Active Sports Development Officer had a poorly structured interview panel that would not have sufficient local knowledge of athletics in Cornwall to make an informed decision. This in no way reflects on the successful candidate Jackie Brett from Newquay Par. NT and the meeting wished her well and hoped she could attend a meeting in the near future to hear her plans.
B.A.R.R. Race Scrutiny at the Cornish Marathon 2002: NT explained briefly what was involved, explaining that it was nothing more than certifying that everything advised on the race promoters “application for a permit” form, had in fact been carried out. HC reported that it was easy to overlook the little things, but on the day, everything was ok. Other than a renewal of the “certificate of course accuracy” which was beyond her control. She also advised that a new course could be used in 2003.
A.O.B.
Letter received from F.R.R. together with a donation of £50 towards costs of running G.P. (NT omitted to mention at the meeting that FRR will also donate £1 for every entrant at the Mob Match 2003. Based on the 2002 entry this equates to £206 (Action NT to send a letter of thanks for this generous donation.
Two new G.P. Perpetual Team Trophies have been purchased at a cost of £55 each. Future sponsors can have their name on them for £55. (Action everyone to try and get two interested parties.
Dave Varney (nq/par) attended a SW meeting where among other things SEAA were considering coming in line with other areas and introducing an individual membership scheme, possibly at a cost of £4 per member. Discussion took place on the merits or otherwise of this proposed scheme
In future, a nominated runner or appointed observer must complete the post race SEAA questionnaires, which will to a great extent determine which events get a race scrutiny in the future.
KH reported that he would be contacting clubs to assist with the marshalling at the ladies RACE FOR LIFE. GD STRONGLY RECOMMENDED IT, as a good day out!! (Action everyone please….
KH enquired about the possibility of purchasing a “race clock”. Good idea for the future, but the “laptop” remains top priority.
CB recommended the “Fitness in Running and Walking” course. It equates almost to a level 1 grade in coaching/leading, but would provide insurance cover for anyone “leading” a group of runners. Providing a minimum of 15 took part, a similar course could be arranged in our area if required. (Action everyone. Contact VM for info.
NT reported that in the near future, the minimum distances that young athletes are permitted to run, would be the same, regardless whether they are male or female. This comes from a threat of legal action against UKA. UKA’s lawyers advised them not to fight the case, as they would probably lose.
NT advised that many local authorities were now setting up a “SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP” or S.A.G. In future, when applying to the Local Authority for their permission to hold a road race, this body will examine all aspects of the race from a safety point of view, and decide whether or not it should go ahead. Room for appeal will be available. With 35 such groups already operating, it appears to be working well.
NT advised that the UKA/Sweatshop logo is now available (late as usual) for all race organisers to include on their race entry forms.