Aldred flies in Highbury snow; Heney soars in Dubai desert

Most 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.

But if you were set on racing no matter what, the place to be was somewhere closer to the Equator. Top billing goes to Heathside stalwart Ken Heney who completed the Dubai Marathon in a time of 2:56.10 in what will be his last race in our vest (for a while, anyway). Meanwhile, Robb Watts completed the Marrakech Half Marathon in 2:08.02.

But perhaps the gong for the finest performance of the week should go, once again, to Tom Aldred, who won the Highbury Fields parkrun in a highly impressive time of 15.41, especially considering the conditions there.

And on the track, Dave Ayre entered the Newham & Essex Indoor Open and after coming fifth in his 60m heat in a time of 7.66 he got through to the second round and again came fifth in 7.68.

A big plea for Heathside marshals for the North West London Young Athletes League cross country fixture at Finsbury Park. More competitors would also be welcome, and so would help with refreshments (baking and selling).

So, if you can marshal, please contact Dave Robertson – robertsonhome@blueyonder.co.uk

If you can bake, or sell refreshments please contact Kabir Kemp – Kabirk606@gmail.com

And if you have children who like to run, bring them along – it’s a relatively low key competition.

TIMETABLE :
10.30 Marshalls Meet
11.30 First Race - U/11 Girls 1500m
After This All Times Are Approximate:
11.40 U/11 Boys & U/13 Girls 2100m
11.55 U/13 Boys & U/15 Girls 2900m
12.15 U/15 Boys & U/17 Women 3800m
12.40 U/17 Men 4600m
 

Results

Friday, January 25 – Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

60th Ken Heney – 2:56.10

Sunday January 27 – Marrakech Half Marathon

Rob Watts – 2:08.02

Newham & Essex Beagles Indoor Open – January 23

60m Round 1, heat 8: Dave Ayre, 5th – 7.66

60m Round 2, heat 9, Dave Ayre, 5th – 7.68

Results for Gladstone parkrun (62 participants),

4 John DRISCOLL 00:19:50

26 Tim NAGY 00:25:11

Results for Highbury Fields parkrun (104 participants).

1 Tom ALDRED 00:15:41

7 David HELLARD 00:19:00

11 Stuart MEIKLEJOHN 00:19:13

34 Jake Leon Justin LEE 00:21:35

51 Claire THORNHILL 00:22:42

Results for Hilly Fields parkrun (55 participants)

14 George MARGESSON 00:22:09

Results for Walthamstow parkrun (63 participants)

11 Brian BOYLE 00:21:58

14 Luka MELON 00:23:28