Derek Smith 1930-1921 We are sad to say that Derek Smith passed away due to Coronavirus in March. Derek joined Mornington Chasers back when it started using the Working Men’s club on Crowndale Road and in no time he had run a few marathons. He was a fixture at the club, continuing to run regularly on Tuesday throughout his 70s and was still racing Summer League into his eighties. Even when he couldn’t run with the club, Derek carried on coming, making everyone tea on Tuesday evenings. He was also a regular volunteer at the club’s races including our 10K in Regent’s Park and at the Olympic Park. Even some very new members may well recognize him from our water station. Derek was awarded honorary lifetime membership in 2015 for his service to the club. As a small thank you for everything he has done for us, we will be calling Saturday’s 3000m track event the “Derek Smith 3000m”. He will be sorely missed. Derek Smith 3000m For those taking part in this Saturday's racing, the event instructions are available here. Please read the instructions carefully and pay attention to your heat and start times so you know when to arrive and what to do on the day. Good luck everyone! Coaching Blog: On your marks, get set...GO! Click here for Sarah's latest coaching blog. This week's track session will be 3 x {400m (at your 5k pace) [400m recovery]}, 3 x {200m (at your 3k pace) [200m recovery]} Total: 3600m The Cabbage Patch 10 The Cabbage Patch 10, our club championship in October, now has 1458 runners (including 44 Chasers) and judging from previous years the entry limit is 1500 so it looks like it will soon be full. If you would like to enter, click here.  Race report: North Downs Ridge 50k, 1 May 2021 Race day rolled around, and all the prep had been done. The group chat had been created, Tommy patches had been ironed, and baby food pouches had been packed (Chloe). As if discussing a big night out, we shared our thoughts on clothing and shoe options. Pre-drinks. Carb-loading. We packed light, and made playlists. The only thing we were short on were training miles – surely the least important aspect, right? The whole club had been notified (thanks Rebecca!), so there was no going back now. The early morning train brought last-minute toast and toe touching rituals, before arriving at sunny Denbies Vineyard. If only we were there to sample the wine! With registration and wardrobe woes out of the way, it was time for Lydia the Lightning Bolt to be on her way. Meanwhile, Chloe and Rosie spent a bit more time hanging out around the portaloos, ogling the very serious looking ultra-runners. By 9:30am we were all on the trail, but not for long -- Rosie and Chloe ventured off-course after one mile. Luckily noticing the error of their ways quickly, no serious detours were made! The sun and scenery (and let’s not forget sand) were everything you could wish for on a trail run. Lambs, bluebells, and electric fences lined the way, keeping the miles interesting. The out and back had its benefit of seeing the speedier runners do their thing, and meant Rosie and Chloe could cheer Lydia as she zoomed back. There were pedestrians on the route too, who cottoned on to the race and kindly shouted words of encouragement to the runners. But when time becomes a vacuum in an ultra, how do you know when to stop saying “Good morning”? Chloe and Lydia navigated horses walking two abreast on the course too, deftly avoiding any kicking hooves. We know they would have cheered if they could. Around one marathon in, the course veered tauntingly close to the finish line at Denbies before taking a sharp detour into what will forever be known as the ‘loop of hell’. Let’s just say Westhumble left us, well, humbled. Hill upon hill greeted our aching legs as we fought to earn the title ‘ultra’. Everyone was super friendly and the race directors weren’t lying when they said Tom’s mum would be supplying her renowned flapjacks. Lydia forgot to try any, which simply means she’ll have to do the race again. “Finish line > finish time” was our mantra for the day, and one that we succeeded in! Now, two days on, Chloe has luxuriated in a sports massage, Rosie is plotting her next ultra, and Lydia is still wearing her race t-shirt and medal and celebrating with wine. And each of us is astonished to still have ten toenails. Virtual Pilates Class Pilates led by Danielle Smreczak take place on Mondays at 6pm. Connection details will be shared on Facebook in advance. As this Monday gone was a bank holiday, a previously recorded class from last summer is available here Calendar Here's whats happening over the next few weeks other than our usual Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday runs. You can find our full calendar on the website. 08/05/2021 Derek Smith 3000m 06/05/2021 Track Thursday 06/05/2021 Track Thursday (Group 2) Join (1 of 15 left) Results If you want to upload a photo or your results are missing, log in to our website and update your picture and Power of 10 ID. Cheshire Elite Half Marathon (Pulford), 25/04/2021 HM Tom Craggs 88:29, 57 [67.07%] Cheshire Elite Marathon (Pulford), 25/04/2021 Mar Donal Moran 2:36:56, 94 (9) [84.48%] NEW PB   Daniele Biagi 2:42:18, 119 [76.13%] NEW PB   Janine Makaronidis 3:07:13, 152 [72.41%] NEW PB Freedom Racing North Downs Ridge 50k (North Downs), 01/05/2021 Other Lydia Thomson 05:03:33 (05:03:33), 64 (11) Country to Capital (43 mile) (Wendover), 01/05/2021 Other Eamon Byrne 08:58:00 (08:58:00), 177 (35)   Andrew Disley 09:46:47, 187 Links Send your stories to newsletter@chaser.me.uk. Home Facebook Twitter Strava