The club Annual General Meeting took place on Monday 30th September at Currie Rugby Club commencing. After several years looking after the club's finances Bobby Robertson is standing down as Club Treasurer. We are all very grateful for his work over the last six years. There was no new faces volunteering to come on board this year, but we would encourage parents, and any older members who could help out in some of activities not to be shy in coming forward.

One of the suggestions at the AGM was to regularly publish the main club contacts. Some of the information is in the club handbook, but I know how easily they get lost, so we've included a more comprehensive contact list in this Herald.

It's that time of year when we enter a new membership year, hence a club membership form is enclosed with this Herald. PLEASE complete and return this promptly. We have kept our fees the same as last year at £22 (which includes the fee of £7 per member which the club has to forward to Scottish Athletics). Please note that the registration scheme run by Scottish Athletics which is recommended for anyone participating in any competition is not included in club membership.

As with last year there are several activities we aim to organise over the winter to keep everyone involved, including:

One or more sessions at the indoor facilities at Grangemouth
Organising an "Edinburgh B" Sportshall team (U13 B; U13 G; U15 B; U15 G)
A Christmas Games night
Introducing the new "Shine Awards" scheme for indoor activities (assuming it's ready).
Indoor Championships at the Kelvin Hall (East District; National and Junior Relays)
A social evening (for Parents, Helpers etc).

Information will be handed out at training and posted on the notice boards at Currie & Balerno High Schools when details are finalised

We have now introduced several members to the new Thursday evening sessions at Saughton Track (6.30 – 7.30). These sessions are aimed all U15 and upward (inc parents). We normally split into two groups, one concentrating on speed and one on endurance. We will do additional event-specific work on some nights.

The club has been successful in an application for special funding to bring in specialist coaches to help us run event specific coaching sessions. It will take a few weeks to find coaches who are available for the type of programme we wish to run. Once we have some idea of the coaches available, we will be contacting the various members who are likely to be most interested in the events covered.

The biggest factor in maintaining the viability of the club is having a sufficient number of parent volunteers and coaches. All our coaches started off as volunteers willing to make a commitment to helping the youngsters who join the club. It is also increasingly important from a child welfare viewpoint to have a sufficient number of volunteers and qualified coaches in attendance at all club events.

Congratulations to Glyn Desport, Tommy Ashby and Shaun Desport who won a team bronze medal in the E District Cross Country relays. The relay consists of one U13 runner, one U15 runner and one U17 runner, all running approx 2500m. Glyn ran 7m 55s for the first leg, handing over in 7th position; Tommy ran 7m 04s for the second leg, picking up two places to 5th; and Shaun ran 6m 31s for the final leg (and second fastest runner overall) to pick up two places and bringing the lads home in 21m 30s.

For anyone who hasn't participated in cross-country before, now's your chance. At most meetings there is one race at each age group and anyone from the club can enter. There is now restriction on the number of runners from any club, so get your friends to come along – there's a chance to win team and individual prizes. You do your race, and then you can go home for a hot bath. The club has paid the entry fees for the East District league so these races won't cost you anything, but there is an entry fee for all other races. Some courses are suitable for spikes, with extra long studs in them, (but occasionally if the course includes roads then spikes won't be suitable).

There are races for all age groups and the courses are suitable for spikes. The course for the U11 girls and boys is over 1600 metres of undulating grassland and is an ideal introduction to cross-country running. All athletes should arrive at the course at least 60 mins before their race to allow time to warm up and walk the course. Race times are: U11g @ 12.30; U11b @ 12.35; Sen Men @ 12.45; U13g @ 1.10; u13b @ 1.25; U15g @ 1.45; U15b @ 2.00; U17/20 Wom @ 2.20; Sen Wom @ 2:40; U17 b @ 2.50. There are several team and individual prizes.

The races are at Poltonhall Recreation Ground which is on the south side of Bonnyrigg. To get there, take the bypass and follow signs for Lasswade. Pass the Laird and Dog hotel and take 2nd right (Polton Road) after crossing bridge. Note: 1st right is a dead end. 1000 metres uphill, turn first left AFTER road sign-posted for Lasswade High School. This is Polton Road Avenue. Recreation grounds are at far end of this street. For car parking, turn right at end of street and then right again into rugby pitches car park.

Race Entry Fee
Senior men and women £3.00 Non members of SAF must pay

An increasing number of runners have been out and about at various road races over the summer. Details are posted on the Pentland Runners section