All being well, Richmond and Zetland Harriers will have nine runners competing in the London Marathon on Sunday, April 18.

Four Club members, Mike Brooks, Ian Hepworth, Tony Hewson and Mark Mullin, out of seven who applied for places were accepted; two of the unsuccessful applicants, Sarah Gregory and Grete Buck, had their names pulled out of the hat in the ballot for Club places and Colin Sewell, who was unlucky twice, has accepted a Charity place; Bill Simms has a place held-over from 2003 due to injury and number nine, Jon Orange, is eligible to compete in the UKAthletics/AAAoE Championships having run 2:29:51 in the last London Marathon, well inside the qualifying time.

The nine runners are a real mixture: two female and seven male; three Seniors, one over 40, three over 50 and two over 60; finishing times guestimated between two hours 30 and five hours; but have at least one thing in common - they're all serious about their running. The 30 miles per week training benchmark has increased to 40 miles, the long Sunday run has moved-up towards two hours and training will now take precedence over racing, apart from the Club Fixtures List, X-C League races and County Championships and a probable Half Marathon about a month before the big day.

The sort-of-successful RZH London Marathon Sweepstake will make another appearance in 2004 with the triple aims of a sizeable prize to the winner, a healthy donation to Charity and a similar sum to Club funds. There was a total of over £820 staked the last time and Sharon Powell's winning guess won her a quarter of the pot. Sweepstake Entry Forms will be available from Mike Brooks in the New Year.

This weekend's fixtures include the Yorkshire County X-C Championships at Nunroyd Park, Guiseley, with the first race at 11.10 am and the Great North X-C at Exhibition Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, both on Saturday, and the Old Monks six mile multi-terrain race on Sunday, starting from the Ship Inn, Hesleden, near Hartlepool, at 11 am. The Harriers will also be at the Sunday Market at Catterick Racecourse, shaking buckets and collecting much-needed monies to fund their commitment to athletes and athletics in 2004 - telephone Mike Brooks on 01748-824040 for arrangements.

The Club wishes all the members, their families and their friends, a happy and prosperous New Year.

* www.rzh.org.uk