100 MARATHON CLUB
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The 100 Marathon Club Trips

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As printed in Newsletter 1 2005 by Roger Biggs & Dave Major Opening Comment – by Roger Biggs We are still working on the way to present this, although Dave has come up with a suggestion below. Basically we are looking to co-ordinate a trip each quarter or more if appropriate. This needs to be a few months in advance, so each newsletter will contain specific details on one trip, with intentions for future trips. With this in mind, base details are shown for a trip in June, with a suggested itinerary of events going forward supplied by Dave below. Calvia have muted about moving the marathon to another time in the year, if this happens, we (Dave actually!) have other ideas in mind, but still in December! Please note that we use the term ‘co-ordinate’ carefully. We are not travel agents, and can only assume that when an event is advertised for a certain date, it happens on that date. We can take no responsibility if this is changed or cancelled, hence you all take that risk. We will always assume that you have arranged Insurance to cover trips you go on, although a cancelled event is unlikely to be a reason for a refund. Belgium/French Double by Roger Biggs Jun.17 – Night of Flanders Jun.19 – French Marathon I have for some years been taking a party to the Night of Flanders event in Torhout, Belgium. The event has 100k, Marathon and 10k options. What is unusual is that it starts at 20:00hrs on a Friday night. We travel out via Calais on the Friday, usually by minibus, returning on the Saturday. Although I can’t guarantee it, we have always managed to find a corner and a mat, to crash out for a few hours, unless of course you get drinking with Mr Major, then it’s a very few hours. At around 9am, we all troop off and take over a local café for a really nice breakfast, before heading for home. Last year the cost for the minibus, ferry and race was £60. This year I’m thinking at doing something different, although there is no reason why we can’t cater for the normal trip as well. (All travel out by ferry on Friday) Option 1: NOF, return by ferry on Saturday Option 2: NOF, travel to France; overnight in France; Marathon on Sunday; return home by ferry pm Looking at races from 2004, I found 3 marathons in France on the Sunday, ranging from 80 miles from Torhout, to 400 miles. The most well known, The Mont Saint Michel, is of course the furthest away from Torhout and the only one of the 3 with a confirmed 2005 date of June 19th at the time of going to press. At this point can you please let me know if you are interested in this weekend, and which of the 2 options would interest you. If no, fair enough, if in doubt, just express an interest! If there is interest, and I know there is, then we’ll worry about which French option we choose a bit later. Please respond asap! Travel – by Dave Major The 100 Club travel page has been designed to co-ordinate some planned races that are routinely participated in each year. Calvia and Night of Flanders are events that Roger has kindly co-ordinated over the years and he has decided to take an apprentice under his wing to help out. I have recently organised the Genk trip( as per Colin Poole’s write-up) and last years Amsterdam for a group and will help share some of the workload with Roger. Although making your own arrangements for most can be fun it can also be costly. Bank Transfers, single room occupancy are just two of the obvious charges we sometimes face. The main purpose of the travel page is to: 1) Offer out to all members the chance of participating overseas with the minimum cost. 2) To travel as a social group. 3) To utilise existing knowledge or areas which will enhance everyone’s race experience. ( hotel proximity, language barriers etc.) 4) Non-Profit making. 5) To demonstrate to race organisers the strength of the 100 club. ( Genk we were 10-15% of the marathon field) and too negotiate where possible a good deal as a result. 6) To encourage new runners to join. These are the planned trips below and will be confirmed and issued approximately 3-6 months in advance. June – Night of Flanders / France Double – Roger August – Longford, Ireland - Dave October –Budapest or Amsterdam- Dave December – Calvia, Majorca – Roger January 2006 – Genk, Belgium – Dave April 2006 - Madrid - Dave Example : 100 Club Travel Page Next Marathon: Louis Peersons Marathon Venue: Genk, Belgium Race Options: 6k, 12k, Half and Full marathon Date: January 15 - 16th 2005 Travel Arrangements: Recommended Eurostar from Waterloo to Brussells. Accommodation: One nights accommodation at local sports centre ( hostel type accommodation) Meeting point: Eurostar terminal at 07.45 latest Saturday 15th January. Schedule of Events: 15th January 0839 train to Eurostar arrive Bruxelles 1210. 1227 train to Genk arrive 14.08. 16th January Race numbers will be issued at 0900 by trip organiser. Marathon at 10.00. All other race distances start as per the local program which will be advised on collection of number. Approximate costing: Eurostar £69 – 99 subject to availability. Accommodation: 40 Euros with breakfast included. Race entry: included in entry fee. Other costs: allow 10 euros for taxis. Trip Co-ordinator: Dave Major contact: <e-mail address here> or < Tel number>

Trips thoughts for 2003

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Trip thoughts for 2004 Mar.28 - Connemara  ( www.connemarathon.com/ ) Apr.4 - Ibiza  ( www.carreraspopulares.com/carreras/santaeularia/ ) Apr.4 - Rotterdam  ( www.rotterdammarathon.nl/ ) Jun.18 - Night of Flanders (Belgium)  ( www.nvv.be ) Aug.8 - Isle of Man  ( www.woodheights.freeserve.co.uk/ ) Aug.29 - Longford  ( www.longfordmarathon.com/ ) Dec.12 - Calvia   ( www.10kcrazy.com/ )   Connemara - there is a limit of 1000 for the marathon, so I guess we need to get moving on this. The race is 60 euros which includes transportation to/from Galway, so this is the place to get to. Hotels in Galway are from £40 each per night, with hostels from £20. You can get from Luton direct to Galway for £130, one flight which is 16:55/18:45 out and 10:40/12:25 return, so you would need to go Friday to Monday. This is with Aer Arann. ( www.skyroad.com )    With Ryanair, there are loads of flights to Dublin from around £50, but it's a 3 hour bus from there. Buses are every hour and cost £21 return. ( www.ryanair.com )   Ryanair also go to Shannon twice a day for around £75. This is a bit nearer to Galway, but I don't think the bus route is as good.   Car hire is around £100 for a compact to £250 for a nine seater for the period Friday/Monday.   Personally, I would go for the Galway flight, although a bit dearer.   Ibiza - I'm waiting to hear from the race, but Santa Euraria is about 10 miles from the airport. Flights with Easyjet are from £50. One flight a day out 6:00/9:45, back 10:25/12:00. Saturday/Monday would be the minimum, Saturday/Tuesday probably better, or of course Friday/Monday.   Rotterdam - obviously I can't do both. If Ibiza isn't on, then I'll go to work on Rotterdam. I will do one of them.   Night of Flanders - 14 of us went in a minibus last year. Cost including ferry and entry was around £50 each. Isle of Man - I really ought to do this. Those from the north would probably go by ferry. For those in the south, I would recommend flying. Flights from Luton and 2 nights hotel were about £140 in 2003. Calvia - I signed up 63 in 2003, certainly the big event, and what a great weekend. Flights with Easyjet started at £40, with the hotel a little over £20 per night for half board. This hotel is just a short walk from the marathon start/finish.   Do let me know of any interest. Roger Biggs - (see 'contact us' for email addresses)

Trips done & dusted in 2003

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February 2003 Las Vegas Marathon (2 runners) Myself and Phil Gale travelled to Las Vegas with American Airlines. They really do have more leg room. We spent 5 nights in the very large Tropicana Hotel.  We both did the 5k the day before the big events. On the Sunday we were transported into the dessert, myself for the marathon, and Phil the half. After record temperatures on the Saturday, we were greeted with 40mph headwinds for most of the events, so you didn't notice that both courses were downhill. Website: http://www.lvmarathon.com May 2003 Lincoln Marathon - Nebraska, USA  (3 runners)    Myself, Big Dave Carter and Jack Brooks (St Albans) took the United Airlines flight to Nebraska via Chicago. We were staying for 4 nights in the Nebraska Capital with our American friend Nelsen Petersen.  After watching Nelsen's daughter Greta take part in the 1 mile fun run, it was our turn the next day. This was one marathon we were not going to dehydrate in. With the nearest Twister just 50 miles away on race day, we were pretty wet by the end. I did have a bit of a battle with Nelsen during the marathon, but eventually pulled away in the later miles.  Website: http://www.lincolnrun.org/marathon.htm May 2003 Riga Marathon - Latvia  (6 runners)    Myself, Big Dave Carter and Dave Farthing were joined by Cliff & John from the States, and Tad from the 100 Marathon Club. We stayed for 4 nights in a quiet hotel right in the Old Town district. This has got to be one of the cheapest places around, it was hard to spend money in this former Baltic state. It wasn't the best marathon, but if was free! Just 118 finishers, so pretty lonely out there. I couldn't recommend, but a great place to visit. Websites: http://www.marathon.lv  &:  http://www.draugi.lv May 2003 Vienna Marathon  - Austria (7 runners, 2 spectators)   9 in my party, including Cliff from the USA, who travelled by train from Riga. I brought Rosemary this time, and for once her weather curse didn't work, and we had a scorching 4 night weekend. Again I chose a quiet hotel, yet right next to the metro and still only a walk from the historic city centre. What a place to visit, but don't run a marathon when it's this hot. As usual public transport was brilliant and clean and cheap using the 'Vienna Card'. After the big event, we met up with 4 other friends for a great al-fresco meal right in the city centre. Websites: http://www.vienna-marathon.com  &:  http://www.hotel-continental.at June 2003 Night of Flanders Marathon - Belgium (13 runners, 1 spectator)  14 people  with bags, crammed into a 15 seater minibus. A Friday evening marathon, so out Friday, back Saturday. A lovely atmosphere for this Belgium race, for most of us finishing after midnight. After a few beers and a few hours kip on a mattress, it's home after a local breakfast and a few hours spent in Brugge. A must again for 2004! Website: http://www.nvv.be July 2003 Tallinn Marathon - Estonia (5 runners)   Myself, Jack and 3 others from the 100 Marathon Club travelled out for a 3 night stay in the Estonia Capital. I bit dearer, but with a smashing Old Town district. Our hotel was a bit out, but with our Tallinn Card, easy and cheap to get around. The marathon started from this lovely square in the Old Town and finished by the Baltic sea. Considering this place is at the same Latitude as the Orkneys, the number of outside cafes suggested this place gets it's share of nice weather. Website: http://www.hot.ee/tallinnmarathon/eng.html September/ October 2003 Fox Cities Marathon - Wisconsin, USA (4 runners)   Portland Marathon - Oregon, USA  Our first double trip of the year along with Big Dave, Jack, and Peter Graham from the 100 Marathon Club. Flying into Chicago, we had a 200 mile drive up to Appleton, Wisconsin. We met up with our Nebraska friend Nelsen for a meal, before an early call for the 5k on the Saturday. I was again racing Nelsen, so no chance of a slow run. Having run my best 5k of the year, the next day I proceeded to run my best marathon of 2003. After driving right round Lake Michigan, we made it back to Chicago for a day flight to Portland in Oregon. We had 4 nights here in this nice city which sits on the Willamette River, just of the Columbia River. Once again, super public transport allowed us to get around, although with the hotel no more than 600m from the marathon start, we didn't need transport on race day. While the Fox Cities had been a good run, perhaps it was the high humidity that brought about one of my worst of the year in Portland.  After the marathon we met up with our American friends Bob & Lenore from Washington State, before jetting back to the UK the next day. While perhaps not the euphoria of New York, these are 2 of the best marathons in the States. For me the Fox Cities just shaded it, and not because I ran better there! Websites: http://www.foxcitiesmarathon.org  &  http://www.portlandmarathon.org October 2003 Snowdonia Marathon - Wales (5 runners, various spectators)   While I was spending time on the South Downs, 5 Spartans were taking part in the tough Snowdonia Marathon from Llanberis. A tradition of this weekend is to wear yourself out climbing on the Saturday before bursting round the marathon on the Sunday. No chance!! Website: http://www.snowdonia-marathan.org.uk November 2003 Philadelphia Marathon - Pennsylvania, USA (2 runners)   Atlanta Marathon - Georgia, USA  Northern Central Trail Marathon - Maryland, USA Myself and Peter Graham took on 3 States in 7 days and won! To see a full report, click here Websites: http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/at03000.htm http://www.brrc.com/ December 2003 Calvia Marathon - Majorca (A total party of 63)  NEW - 24Dec03 Yes, incredibly, a total party of 63, made up of 100 Club members, Fairlands Valley Spartans plus quite a few just there for a great weekend. Everybody was based at the 3 Star Hotel Magaluf Park in Magaluf, situated just 600m from both sea and race start/finish. Many have already signed up for 2004! Congratulations to Jack Brooks who completed his 100th marathon. He didn't have a good run, but he certainly enjoyed the evening that followed! Website: http://www.santa-ponsa.com/marathon.html Roger Biggs - 24Dec03

My trips in 2002

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February 2002 Birmingham & Austin Marathons (2 runners + an American) Myself and Jack met Cliff in Birmingham, Alabama. Stayed with his relatives before heading West thru Mississippi & Louisiana to his home town of Waco, Texas. After a few days headed south to the Texas Capital of Austin. Websites: http://www.mercedesmarathon.com and http://www.motorolamarathon.com March Dumfries Marathons (5 runners & 2 spectators) Stayed a couple of nights at Tim’s in Windermere. Travelled to Dumfries on the day. Email: interiordesign@davidcole.demon.co.uk March Rome Marathon (2 runners) GO flight to Rome with Jack, staying right in the thick of things. Lot’s to see, Coliseum & Vatican amongst must do visits. Website: http://www.maratonadiroma.it April Yakima River Canyon Marathon (3 runners + lot’s of Yanks!) Stayed with Bruce in Seattle, before a car ride across the Cascades to Yakima. Trip included a 300 mile round journey to get ‘fish & chips’! Super people, and more invites! Website: http://www.ontherun.com/yrcm April Rotterdam Marathon (7 runners) I hopped onto a trip with 6 St Albans Striders. 2 nights near Amsterdam with a train journey on race day. Poor run due to knee problem, but one of the best crowd supported marathons I’ve been to. Website: http://www.rotterdammarathon.nl June Spitzbergen Marathon (3 runners) Ok, I’ve said it before, but this is ‘as far North as man can go without going on an expedition’! 78 degress North to be precise, and like nowhere else I’ve been to. Luckily we didn’t see a Polar Bear during the run! Website: http://www.svalbard.com June Night of Flanders Marathon & 10km (8 runners) Friday night Marathon in Belgium. Crash out in the hall, then return home after a few hours in Brugge. Website: http://www.nvv.be September Cardiff Marathon (4 runners) Overnighter in Cardiff as the Marathon returns after an absence. September Loch Ness Marathon (10 runners) Easyjet flight to Edinburgh, then drive to Inverness through the Scottish Highlands. Point to point, partly along the Loch shore. As usual I chased Paul home! Website: http://www.lochnessmarathon.com October Grand Canyon Marathon (2 runners + an American) Recently voted number 1 place to visit before you die. Drove up from Phoenix with Jack and Cliff. Run was at the West Rim at 5000ft and warm! Not for the squeamish! Website: http://www.grandcanyoninternationalmarathon.com October Seven Sisters Marathon (me & Rosemary) A tough trail marathon on the South Coast of England, staying in Eastbourne. Meeting up with other Spartans at the event. October Snowdonia Marathon (an unhappy group!) The marathon that didn't happen due to high winds. Websites: http://www.snowdonia-marathan.org.uk (race) and http://www.royal-victoria-hotel.co.uk (hotel) December Calvia Marathon & Half Marathon(8 runners & 3 spectators) Late year trip to Majorca, staying in Magalluf. Really good value, will go again! Website: http://www.santa-ponsa.com/marathon.html

New York Marathon Hotel Options

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Dear 100 Marathon Club, Please find attached a flyer that if possible we would like to ask if you could display on your Notice board, in your newsletter or on your website. It offers your members special rates in New York over the New York Marathon this November. As a tour operator we are able to offer unbeatable prices at hotels over the Marathon which are normally very high and also the city rooms sell out completely. Our prices are the most competitive around and all payments are fully protected financially for your members peace of mind. We appreciate you doing this for us, we have been contacted by lots of running shops and clubs asking us for accommodation and to put this flyer together for their members, we hope that we are able to assist any of them that maybe thinking of running the New York Marathon this year. Thank you for your kind co-operation Andrew Bird The Purely Travel Group Ltd Our Website address - www.purelyamerica.co.uk Click here to download flyer in 'pdf' format..

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Last Updated - 13th March 2005