RR10 Rejection
STUBBINGTON Green Runners have been handed an extra 10 places for this summer's RR10 cross country series, but the club have been turned down in their bid to be allowed to field unlimited number of runners in the races.
The popular series begins at the Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley on Wednesday, April 18th at 7pm, and finishes on Wednesday, August 15th at IBM's Hursley Park base.
Last year was the first summer for Stubbington to compete in the popular league which features midweek races staged throughout the county on a Wednesday evening over five-mile courses.
Fifteen clubs take part in the RR10, and for Stubbington the format of the event provided an ideal opportunity to give runners regular midweek racing. For many, particular among the beginner's group, it was also a chance to race for the first time in a relaxed environment.
Stubbington were restricted to fielding just 20 runners last year because of fears over possible congestion on the courses and with parking at the venues. However, figures produced at the meeting of RR10 clubs on Monday night showed that despite Stubbington's presence, numbers had increased by an average of just six runners per race - although the World Cup, and one monsoon night in Blackfield may have something to do with that.
Club secretary Mark Le Gassick and Dave King asked at the meeting for Stubbington to be allowed to run without a quota - an idea proposed by Winchester & District AC and seconded by Team Southampton.
But after a vote among the competing clubs, which was tied at 6-6 - with one club abstaining - the request was rejected. Stubbington were not allowed to vote.
The clubs were then unable to agree at the meeting over a counter proposal that Stubbington be allowed a ceiling of 40 runners at RR10 events. So a compromise proposal of 30 runners was put forward by Stubbington which was agreed.
The position will be reviewed in 12 months' time, and the club will exploring the possibility of staging an RR10 race in 2008. This summer, Stubbington will be helping to organise the RR10 event at Manor Farm Country Park near Bursledon, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 4th.
Other dates are currently being finalised, but organisers hope to stage one RR10 event at the Rose Bowl.