Juniors and seniors rejoice in the mud at Perivale
Met League Fixture Four: Horsenden Hill, Perivale
In the Bleak Mud Winter
I almost used the headline 'Muddy Hell!' for today's race report, but it's not one of my own so I thought I'd best not. Anyway, Perivale was certainly bleak and wintry, and exceptionally muddy. Yet despite the less than temperate conditions we had another huge turnout from Heathside, and some really outstanding individual and team performances. Let me say this right up front: thank you to every single one of you who did battle with that unforgiving mud-bath of a course. It took commitment, team spirit, and a pinch of sheer bloody-mindedness, and that's what makes for a good competition. The results suggest that we took another huge step towards titles and promotions. Legends all.
Legends in our own ways, of course. Some come back from long injuries and finish right up at the sharp end (spoiler alert - I am going to lavish praise on Martin Potter later on. Some of you might want to look away now); some improve from one race to the next in truly astonishing ways; some slog it out in the second half of the field to hold other runners at bay in our B and C Teams; some just turn up over and over again and score valuable points for the club. Whichever way our teams got around the course on Saturday it involved mud, sweat and determination. And, of course, now it's all over we'd gladly do it again. Or is that just me?
So, general plaudits over for now. On to some specific plaudits. Starting, of course, with the Juniors.
In the Under 13 Boys Race, Heathside had four finishers amongst a field of 40, with Liam Garrett leading the team home in 13th place. The team finished a strong 3rd on the day and now stand 9th in the League - solid mid-table. Isabella Harvey (32nd) and Rachel Finkey (37th) were our only two runners in the Under 13 Girls race (41 finished). Consequently Heathside finished 12th on the day and are now 11th in the League. Six Heathsiders took part in the Under 17 Men's race (51 finishers), with Johnny Naylor finishing an impressive 11th, followed by Connor O'Shea (28th) and Mason Dietrich (36th). The Heathside team ended the day 7th, and pushed up the League after four races to stand 10th.
Now to the truly exemplary Under 17 Women. The women in this team demonstrate what competitive cross-country league racing is all about: they turn out for every race, work together, run as a team, and race with real commitment. Yesterday they took another step forward and deservedly won the team event, pipping League leaders Herts Phoenix. Lucy Carter has been getting stronger all season and took 3rd place (35 finishers). Interestingly, as an Under 15, Lucy was 3rd too: the top 3 in this race were all in the Under 15 Girls category! Rachel Seckl finished a magnificent 4th, followed by Lauren Gee (8th) and Yanna Raykov (18th). Ottavia Laidler was 19th and Genevieve Weston 21st. The Heathside team (I'll say this again) came first on the day, and stand 2nd in the League behind Herts Phoenix, with one fixture to go. Make sure you get to Ruislip early to cheer the Under 17s on in the last leg of their epic season next month!
In the Senior Women's race (6km, 139 finishers, 16 Heathside), all eyes were on Sarah Swinhoe, who has, whether she likes it or not, made herself the big talking point of the last few weeks thanks to her fantastic races at Ally Pally and Wormwood Scrubs. Might she, could she, would she go stride for stride with Sue Rust again? Yes she might, she could, she did, and more. On a very heavy and energy-sapping course, Sarah battled-out arguably the run of the season so far, to finish a truly superb 5th, in a time of 23.48. That she was 1st Veteran (again!) goes without saying. Sue put in another excellent shift to finish 9th (24.13). Sarah's run of form seems to have inspired others to great things, too. Claire Morrissey shot up the field to finish a strong 32nd, and Fiona Alston put in the run of her season so far to finish 36th. The six scorers in the Women's A Team were completed by Bridgit Napleton (39th) and Eleanor East (44th). Further down the field several other performances caught the eye. Katherine Vinnicombe's come-back continued with a creditable 51st place finish. Sarah Guy, Caroline White, and Ruth Miller worked well as a team to finish 83rd, 84th and 85th respectively. A special mention must go to Ruth Miller for managing a smile each time she passed the cow-bell rabble. Why it is so hard to manage a little smile for the cheering masses I really don't know; I fail pretty much every time. But Ruth always smiles through the mud and anguish. Perhaps she's just not trying hard enough? Hmm. Di Gardiner set an example to anyone who wonders whether they are quick enough to take part in the Met League by finishing a respectable 119th, a full 20 places and 14 minutes ahead of the back marker. Good to have you along, Di. See you again at Ruislip? I think it was also Hannah's first Met League - well run Hannah and please come back next time!
The Women's A Team finished 4th on the day, but have dropped back to 5th in the Division One standings after a superb performance by H*ghgate, who have now moved above us in the League. Are we going to give in to this, or can we manage one last effort to regain supremacy over the other club? Come on, ladies! The Women's B-Team came 5th in Division Two, to stand 4th after four fixtures. What is clear is that H*ghgate got their women out to race yesterday in big numbers. Not only did their A Team win in Division One, but their relegation threatened B Team finished 1st in League Two, to move them clear of trouble. We need something similar on 9th February at Ruislip if we are to do justice to all the hard work the women have put in so far, especially with the Women's C Team only a few points short of promotion from Division Three. WE NEED MORE DI GARDINERS if we are to seal promotion for the C Team on the last day (Di, you scored for the Women vets B Team. Thank you very much!). Let's do it! The Vets A Team had a slightly disappointing day, finishing 4th. We still stand 2nd in Division One with just the one fixture remaining, so the title is (just) still on. Again, we need everyone out next month for a grandstand finish. It's getting very exciting indeed for the Vets.
The last race of the afternoon was, as usual, the Senior Men's race (8km), which proved to be a triumph for Heathside all round. For starters we had a very impressive turnout of 58 men for the race, only a few short of the Ally Pally record we set last month (60). Men of Heathside, I salute you. Not only did you turn up, but you smashed it. If I don't mention you individually over the next paragraph or two, it is not because you don't deserve it (frankly, anyone who finished that course deserves a mention) but because I'd be here until next week, and I need to get out for my preparations for the Southern Champs! So, ye 58 Heathsiders: RESPECT.
In the absence of Tom Aldred, a number of others pushed up to the mark, and we managed no less than 13 finishers in the first 100 home (350 finished), which is our best showing of the season so far. The men were led home by Rob O'Grady, who is looking more and more like potential top 25 material with every race. Rob glided over the mud to 41st spot. George Stewart led a triumvirate including Matt Convery and Martin Potter to 51st (3rd V40), 52nd and 53rd places. Mike Stocks was only a couple of seconds back in 55th place (4th V40). Martin Potter made his long injury niggles look like he'd made them up (he didn't, did he?) with a truly impressive comeback race, finishing 2nd V45. On behalf of us all, nice one Martin. Can we have both you and Jackie running injury-free next time, or do you have to take it in turns with the mojo?
There were some good improvements amongst the men's A Team, completed by Dan McKeown (58th), newcomer Patrick Burke (59th), Anthony Hall (69th), Julian Ferraro (81st), Alex Galloway (89th), Adam Mitchell (91st), and Dan Madams (93rd), especially Anthony Hall, who ran his best of the season so far. The A Team finished a really impressive 4th on the day, behind League leaders H*ghgate, Woodford Green, and Serpentine. We now stand 5th in Division One, with every possibility of overhauling Shaftesbury Barnet at Ruislip next month for 4th, which would really put us up there amongst London's top clubs for cross-country.
The Men's B Team continued the remarkable bounce begun at Ally Pally, winning Division Two for the second consecutive fixture. We are now 3rd in Division Two overall, only a handfull of points behind Newham and Essex Beagles in the second promotion spot. Newham are clearly aware of the threat to their promotion hopes, finishing only marginally behind us yesterday. Ruislip is going to be crucial. So - Howard Gold, Andy Welshman, John Flahive, Miron Woldemichael, Jonathan Hopkin, and anyone else who is there or thereabouts, train well, rest well, and take Heathside's B Team to the dizzy heights of promotion to League One next month. Come on!
Strength and depth. That's what Heathside is all about as a club. OK, so H*ghgate A Team may be on the verge of winning Division One, but look at their B Team, down in Division Three. They are only just ahead of Heathside's C Team, who finished 2nd yesterday and now stand 3rd overall, close enough to Barnet in 2nd to be in with a serious chance of promotion to Division Two. So we have another battle on our hands next month with the C Team! Congratulations to everyone who scored for the C Team (those who finished 25th to 36th for Heathside yesterday) AND those who finished lower down the field but ahead of Barnet's team.
The Men's Vets won the team event again yesterday, chased hard by H*ghgate. We need one last push to retain our title this season. It is by no means a done deal yet, so everyone over 40 needs to clear their diaries for 9th Feb! The Veterans B Team finished a superb 3rd in League One. If we can keep this up next season we might even get two teams in the top 3 in League One! Currently the Vets B Team stands fifth in the League. The Vets C Team ran out winners in League Two, a superb achievement. Take a bow Rob Shulman, Dominic Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Anthony Wilkinson, Phil Hogg and Tony Killilea (I think I got this right!). Lads, you are in the second promotion place in League Two. One last effort and Heathside will have no less than THREE men's Vets teams in League One! By the way, H*ghgate Men's Vets B team is currently fourth in Division Three. Oh dear, never mind.
On to Ruislip then, on Saturday Feb 9th, for what we hope will be the crowning achievement of a really exciting year for Heathside cross-country. Be a part of the final day thriller: it is never too late!
Reported by Chris Hartley
[For more photos of the race, check out some of these links:
- http://www.facebook.com/EalingSouthallMiddlesexAC?ref=ts&fref=ts
- http://www.hodgepigs.org.uk/Metropolitan%20League%20Perivale
- http://markeaston.zenfolio.com/recent.html]
And now a special message from Russell, one of the coaches for the young athletes:
On Saturday at Horsenden Hill our U17 girls WON their race and our U13 boys came third.
To put this in context, since the formation of London Heathside in 2000 we have had some exceptional junior athletes and several great teams. In the past, we have won team medals in County Champs and also finished second or third in a Met League race.
But we have NEVER won a junior team race in the Metropolitan League.
I would like to congratulate Kabir Kemp (Senior coach) and the girls on this amazing achievement and I would also like to thank the parents/carers and other coaches for their support. In particular, I would also like to thank Claire Morrisey, who has very kindly responded to our recent request to help chaperone some of the juniors who train on Sunday mornings in Finsbury Park or up the Parkland Walk. It does not appear to be adversely affecting Claire's running!
Our incredible success at attracting and retaining teenage athletics is a credit to everyone at London Heathside. We now regularly have over 30 young athletes running on a Sunday morning. However if we are to capitalise on this success, or even maintain it, we really need some extra help from some of the seniors athletes in the club.
So as one of the lead junior coaches, I am offering you this wonderful opportunity to be part of this success story, and to be able to feel that you have contributed to the future stars at London Heathside.
How can you help? Just show up at 10:15am on a Sunday morning, preferably with your running kit, and help chaperone a group of junior runners. The distances and durations vary greatly depending on ability, and so hopefully we would be able to slot you into a group that matches your own ability/targets.Maybe you could incorporate it into your regular Sunday run? But if not, even if you are able to help out just once in a while, it would make a real difference.
Many thanks, Russell Weston, Junior Coach.
Senior men (8k)
40 33:19 Rob O'Grady SEN
51 34.04 George Stewart (3rd V40)
52 34:08 Matt Convery V35
53 34.10 Martin Potter (2nd V45)
55 34.12 Mike Stocks V40
58 34:19 Daniel Mckeown SEN
69 34.59 Anthony Hall SEN
89 35:36 Alex Galloway SEN
91 35:42 Adam Mitchell SEN
93 35.48 Dan Madams V35
97 35:53 Howard Gold V40
104 36:07 Chris Hartley V40
106 36:16 John Flahive V45
116 36:29 Miron Woldemichael U20
125 36:46 unidentified runner Andy Welshman?
126 36:49 Phil Smith SEN
129 37:02 Jonathan Hopkin V45
133 37:17 Andy Owen V40
139 37:30 Chris Burn SEN
140 37:32 David Hellard SEN
147 37:42 John Driscoll V40
149 37:44 Phil Duggan V40
156 38:03 Rob Shulman V45
164 38:18 Dominic Jackson V45
172 38:44 Phil Wright
178 39:02 Andrew Johnson V40
184 39:10 Anthony Wilkinson V40
186 39:18 Phil Hogg V40
187 39:19 Tony Killilea V45
201 39:51 Gavin Evans V50
207 40:06 Melvin Wachira U20
210 40:13 Paul Mercer
212 40:17 Paul McCrossin V40
213 40:17 Stephen Meredith
214 40:20 Marco Luna SEN
216 40:28 William Whitaker SEN
217 40:32 Norman Mitchell V50
222 40:46 Pete Crockford V50
233 41:06 Gavin Mantle SEN
234 41:07 Carl Heap V55
252 41:42 Stuart Amblin V45
255 41:51 Anthony Chaimowitz V35
262 42:17 Nick Desausmarez V45
276 43:21 Marco Maserati V50
288 44:01 Andrew Hudson V50
297 45:07 Joe Hine SEN
299 45:08 Ed Burr SEN
304 45:28 Nik Skipper V55
308 45:51 Laurence Arnold SEN
330 48:30 Russell Weston V50
343 51.50 Tim Nagy V45
346 52:47 Adrian Essex V60
Senior Women 6k
5 23:48 Sarah Swinhoe (1st V40)
9 24:13 Sue Rust
32 26.02 Claire Morrissey
36 26:32 Fiona Alston
39 26:44 Bridgit Napleton (3rd V45)
44 27:09 Eleanor East
51 27:32 Katherine Vinnicombe
60 28:25 Claire Thornhill
69 28:37 Hannah Zwimpfer
77 29:02 Jane Higgins
83 29:11 Sarah Guy
84 29:16 Caroline White (2nd V55)
85 29:25 Ruth Miller (2nd V50)
108 31.39 Barbara Tomaszczyk V50
110 31:55 Gabi Johnson V40
119 32:56 Di Gardiner V35
U17 men
11 13.30 Johnny Naylor
28 15:18 Conor O'Shea
36 16:06 Mason Dietrich
41 16:52 Leon Brocklehurst
43 17:01 Nelson Falco
48 20:01 Abubakar Omar
U17 Girls
3 15:42 Lucy Carter
4 15:50 Rachel Seckl
8 16:12 Lauren Gee
18 16:57 Yanna Raykov
19 17:05 Ottavia Laidler
21 17:14 Geneveive Weston
U13 boys
13 12:08 Liam GArrett
15 12:12 Isaac Costley
21 12:33 Luke Gray
37 13:30 Ed Easton
U13 girls
32 16:20 Isabelle Harvey
37 17:43 Rachel Finke