News and forthcoming events.

Warwickshire County AA Pilot Track Relays Sheila Dunn, our Ladies Captain, has organised a Ladies Team for the 3 x 800m to be held on Wednesday 25th August 2010 7.00pm at Edmondscote Sports Ground, Leamington Spa.
Our Team is Sheila Johnson, Debbie Davis and Louise Deitch. I'm sure they would appreciate some support on the night so lets see what we can do.
Come on Masseys!!

Warwickshire County AA Newsletter
The latest edition of the Bear newsletter is available is available on the WCAA website. Click here then select "the Bear" from the options on the left hand side. You can read it online or download it.

Club Summer Handicap As promised, the handicap is being re-introduced.
As a trial, we are going to use the Coventry Parkrun 5km, held every Saturday morning at 0900 in the Memorial Park, Kenilworth Road.
Entry is free but you need to register first here. and print off your barcode.
Our handicap will be based on the best two of three possible runs held on 28th August, 4th and 11th September 2010. Please wear your Club Vest so you and others can see who they are competing aginst in the handicap.

Letter from France 23 June 2010
Cancale Saint Malo Half Marathon
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to THANK YOU all. One year ago, you introduced me to running with your club and wednesdays's trainings.. It was great, very nice atmosphere and wonderful people!
I have lots of memories with you : Pork Pie and Cider run (first time I tasted pork pie!), Bishop Wilton Half Marathon with Zoe, 5K race in Coventry, trainings the sundays with Lesley and Sheila, etc.

Since I am back in France, I never stopped and last weekend, I was in Normandy to do my second half marathon!
I took your tee shirt because your are so important for me... Time: 1:58:15

Again, I would like to say to all of you that your are great! Think about you each time I run....
Lots of love,
Your French runner who does not forget Massey Club!!
carole lefeuvre (carole_lef@hotmail.fr)

Alan Hemsley. You may be aware that Alan, our Club Secretary for many years, was quite ill for a number of months. He was taken into Walsgrave hospital on Thursday 10 June 2010 and sadly Alan passed away on the following Saturday morning, his wife Lynda was with him. Alan will be sadly missed.

Lynda and Anthony would like to say thank you for all the kind messages, cards and donations received from friends at MFRC and the running fraternity, which was such a large part of Alan's life.

The Club never got to present Alan with his "Companion Seat" which was intended as a token of appreciation for many years of loyal service to Massey Ferguson Runners Club. Lynda expressed a wish to receive the seat and this was done at the Club, after Alan's funeral service. She will keep it in the garden and hopefully it will bring a smile to her face whenever she reads the inscription - one of Alan's favourite sayings - "BLOODY MARVELLOUS!"

John Aylmer completes the Comrades Marathon 30 May 2010
Congratulations to John who has completed the gruelling 56 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa in a time of 11:17:33, well within the 12 hour cut-off.
You can see John's progress throughout the race, which started at 05.30 am, by visiting the Comrades Marathon Results and entering his race number 8982.
If you would like to know more about the Race, which was first run in 1921, visit the Comrades website.
John said before the race: "It seemed only reasonable that while taking on my challenge, it might benefit the people who have a far greater one, namely tackling breast cancer, and so if you feel you can give a little bit to Cancer Research UK, I have set up a link to Just-Giving. Every pound will be very much appreciated."
If you haven't done so already and would like to make a donation, please click here
To read John's report of the Comrades Marathon click here

AGM 2010 has been set for Wednesday 13 October at 8.30 pm in the Social Club. Please submit any proposals at least 14 days prior to the meeting i.e. by 29 Sept.

OnlySport.co.uk is a searchable database of sports and events in the UK. You'll find links to many races and a whole range of Sports at www.onlysport.co.uk

Coventry Parkrun
In case you're not aware there is a free timed 5k run every Saturday at 9.00 am in the War Memorial Park. For details go to the Coventry Parkrun Website Click here .

Warwickshire XC Champs, Newbold Common, Leamington Spa. 09/1/10.
Report from Club Captain Dave Phillips:
Well done to Leamington C&AC and the Warwickshire XC committee for not falling like wimps to the national Elf & Safety disease. The ground was frozen solid, very dodgy in parts, completely snow covered that made it like running through shifting sand, and more than a few frozen mole hills-one of which sent me crashing to the ground as it failed to yield under my foot! I found it really hard going as even trail shoes failed to get any grip. Most schools and authorities would have banned any one from going to the common –let alone to run - but thank goodness there’s still a sense of adventure amongst the U13s to the senior men who participated in 12 age group events from 1130 hrs today.
The men’s teams need 4 to count as a finishing team and the ladies 3. Next year we must go mob handed and all compete in the county’s top event. Anyway you’ll be glad to know that Massey RC were represented and your captain is the 148 fastest (or slowest) XC runner in Warwickshire.
Massey results:
9.5 k 3 lap course (Beacon Hill was not included because of the hundreds of missile like sledges and kids bombing down across the originally designated course):
Martin Smith 118th 44.23
Dave Phillips 148th 63.47

2009 Annual Christmas Pace Race
Numbers were much improved for this years race held on 28th December. 45 runners took part on a bright but frosty morning around the 2 lap course of the War Memorial Park covering 3.55 miles. The Pace Race was again a popular event and proved a great success.
Thanks go to sponsors Coventry Runner along with other MFRC Club Members for donating 19 spot prizes. Many thanks also go to Stuart Harris who officiated again as Referee for the race. Click here for the Pace Race results.

facebook
Zoe Pierce has organised a facebook group for the Club. If you would like to join, click this link for an invite. Zoe's facebook group

NEW LADIES CAPTAIN
With the increasing number of lady runners joining the Club, Sheila Dunn has taken on the role of Ladies Captain. Sheila will also represent the lady members on the Committee and her details can be found on the Contacts page.
In the Sphinx Summer 5 MFRC ladies outnumbered the men by 7 to 1!!
Click for results of the race and the team photo.

MASSEY VETS WIN 60 CARAT GOLD
Sunday 18 January 2009 Midland Vets 8k XC, Perry Park
Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
Saturday's slog at Burbage Common took its toll on Dave Phillips and Derek Burns
so it was left to Pete Estick to lead the team in, which he did in great fashion. The assembled vets (masters) of both sexes battled it out for the honours over a very wet course.
The result brought a hat trick for Massey vets following on from the Bronze medals in 2007 (Phillips, Burns and Estick) and Bronze in 2008 (Phillips, Grady, Burns).
2009 Over 60 Midland Vets Gold Medalist winners Massey Ferguson
Pete Estick 47.30, Derek Burns 48.18 and Club Captain Dave Phillips 51.38
click here for the Team Photo.

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2009 AGM
The 2009 AGM was held on Wednesday 7October with 22 Members in attendance. The Clubs Officers and Committee were re-elected and we are pleased to welcome Lesley Keighley onto the Committee. Details can be found on the Contacts page.  

New Massey Ferguson Sports & Social Club:
Watch this space for developments of this exciting project to be built on the site of the old sports pavilion.

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Numbers were down this year for the 2008 Annual Christmas Pace Race due possibly to the fact that two other local clubs decided to hold races on the same day at the same venue.
However, 19 runners took part on a beautifully bright but cold morning around the revised 2 lap course of the War Memorial Park covering 3.55 miles. The revised route avoided the previous problems encountered when crossing the Car Park entrance, and the Pace Race was a great success.

Thanks go to sponsors Coventry Runner and Sporting Success Ltd along with other MFRC Club Members for donating awards and spot prizes, which ensured that all participants received a prize. Many thanks also go to Stuart Harris who officiated as Referee for the race. Click here for the Pace Race results.

The 2008 PHILLIPS CORPORATE 5 CHALLENGE was a big success with no less
than 13 businesses completing a team.

In the womens event 1st were the University of Warwick 243 followed by Land
Registry 321

The mens competition was quite tight with the closer packing of the National
Grid 76 edging them ahead of University of Warwick 103 and Royal Mail 120.

In the individual John Guveya travelling from Doncaster to visit family in Coventry, was rewarded with a first place in 27.52, ahead of Ian Mansell (Dudley-Kingswinford) 28.01 and local runner Nathan Holmes of Northbrook 28.12.

First 3 ladies were Ann-Marie Smith (Godiva) 31.32, June Mandrell
(Warwick Uni & Kenilworth) 33.10, and Linda Howell of Bourneville Harriers in
34.45.
Age category prizes were awarded in 5 year age-groups male & female
up to 65+
As well as everyone receiving a T shirt, there was a free raffle at the end
for those who did not have to rush away.

All in all ....A very good evening.

John Aylmer MFRC

To view the results click here