Just when we thought it was safe to put away our woolly hats and gloves, winter returned at the weekend with bitter winds and freezing conditions, but it didn't stop six hardy Heathsiders heading up to the Midlands for one of the last cross country events of the season - to compete for Middlesex (and South Wales) in the Inter Counties and World XC Trials in Birmingham. Many others were also unphased by the weather, and were kept busy with assorted Park Runs, half marathons, duathlons, a Vets cross country race and the BMAF Masters UK Indoor Champs. And two sun seekers vacated the country altogether!
Read MoreTo wrap up a superb cross country season our U15 and U17 female young athletes took home North West London league titles on Saturday while James topped the individual table for the U17 men. Add to that several top three results in the Mini-Marathon trials on Sunday and we know we have some fine young talent to look after.
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Despite the biting cold and the wind this weekend, spirits were not dampened in the slightest, and Heathsiders took part in various events over the weekend - a fantastic turn out of 47 young athletes at the North West London Young Athletes' League in Finsbury Park (plus support!), a 10K at Dorney Lake, numerous Park Runs on Saturday, and the big one of the weekend for many was the Watford Half on Sunday.
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The sun came out for the Brighton half on Sunday and shone on London Heathside’s runners. In particular Tom Aldred, who reeled in a 60 second deficit over the last three miles to take second place with 400m to go, finishing in 1:08:25.
Sue Rust led Heathside’s women to an impressive 10th place in the English Cross Country Championship in cold, muddy, snowy Sunderland on Saturday.
Read MoreAfter the flat, fast croquet lawns at the posh kids' school last week, it was back to 'proper' (ie, attritional and horrid) cross country for Heathside at the Southern Championships on Parliament Hill. There were bogs, quags and dogs all over the course, as well as any number of testing climbs.
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The main event for London Heathside this weekend was the fifth and final fixture in the cross country met league, which was held at a new venue Merchant Taylors' school in Ruislip. A full wrap of the season has been provided by team manager Chris Hartley, together with our goals for the next season. We also have a handful of half marathon results to report from Wokingham and Deal as well as a scattering of parkruns.
Read MoreMost of us were beaten by the weather last week. Well, not exactly beaten – there were still scores of us out and about on the roads and around the parks- but the big one, the Southern Cross Country Championship, was postponed until February 16, which was a pity because conditions at Hampstead Heath didn’t look too bad by Saturday. It is said the reason had to do with churning up the turf, which, you’d think, kind of goes with the territory. Still, there is something to be said for the enforced alternative - running in the snow at a pace that actually allows you to appreciate it.
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A new 10k PB for Leigh, a lone Chingford League run for Philip, and clockings from the ever reliable parkruns are the only UK results that have cropped up so far from this weekend, with snowfall having caused many races to be cancelled, including the latest instalment in the club’s Rob Jackson championship, although a Dubai 5 miler was obviously far removed from all that.
Read MoreWith such a bumper turnout from our club at the Met League on Saturday there were understandably few Heathsiders racing elsewhere so we have just a few parkruns to report and a fifth place Goring, Woodcote and District 10k from Liam Proudlock. We also had a team braving the freezing hills at the Sunday League cross country.
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