Brooker first in Nonsuch Park

Staring out the window into the gloom and lashing rain it appears that, somewhat predictability, the weather’s turning just before the start of the cross country season (which will no doubt absolutely delight the hardcore at Heathside!) With the first Met League meeting of the season right on the horizon, a few Heathsiders took advantage of what may have been the last days of summer to get in some pre-season XC practice and posted some very impressive times around the country, boding well for Claybury at the weekend – most notably, Andrew Brooker romped home with top honours in a five-miler at Nonsuch Park.

Back on the roads there was a strong marathon debut up in Chester, some great results in various 10k runs around the capital and a couple of strong duathlon showings.

MABAC League, Nonsuch Park

Andrew Brooker laid down a marker ahead for the XC season ahead, coming 1st at Nonsuch Park in the MABAC League, completing the 5 mile course in 31:24, a full minute ahead of his nearest rival.

Louth Open XC

Also getting in some pre-Met League practice was Phil Wright who took a trip home to Lincolnshire and finished 4th in the Louth Open XC, covering what he describes as a ‘challenging, hilly, 9700m’ course in an impressive 39:46.

Badger Bite, 6k

Kris Milovsorov sent in his result from Shropshire (and a nice pic of him looking knackered – below) where he came home in 8th place, finishing the undulating course in 25:22.

Chester Marathon

There was a fantastic run from Tom Stephenson in the Chester Marathon, completing his first run over that distance in 2:42:58.

Blenheim Palace Half Marathon

Henry Hamilton reported back from Oxfordshire, where he was 79th over over the line in a time of 1:34:36, knocking 3 minutes off his time at Ealing just 7 days earlier.

10ks

It was a very good weekend for a couple of Heathside’s ladies as Isobel Rae was first female home in the latest Self Transcendence run at Battersea Park on the Saturday, while the following day Kate Tancred was 2nd female at the inaugural Queen Elizabeth Park Winter Series event in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium. Elsewhere, Patrick Waldron and Roger Wagland both took part in the ever popular Mornington Chasers’ Winter Series event in Regent’s Park.

London Fields Aquathlon

Luka Melon mailed in to say that he, Claire Sliwerski and 136 others took on the London Fields Aquathlon which consisted of a 400m swim in the heated 50m Lido and 5K run. 2nd out the water, Luka ended up a very respectable 38th overall.

Results in full:

Louth Open XC, 9.7k

4 Phil Wright 39:46

Badger Bite, Shropshire, 6k

8 Kris Milovsorov 25:22

MABAC League, Nonsuch Park, 5 miles

1 Andrew Brooker 31:24

Chester Marathon

21 Tom Stephenson 2:42:58

Blenheim Palace Half Marathon

79 Henry Hamilton 1:34:36

Mornington Chasers Winter Series 10k, Regent’s Park

26 Patrick Waldron 40:20 (2nd V45)

71 Roger Wagland 44:56

Self Transcendence 10k, Battersea Park

36 Isobel Rae 39:09 (1st woman)

Queen Elizabeth Park Winter Series 10k

22 Kate Tancred 45:17

London Fields Aquathlon

38 Luka Melon 29:04 [5:32 / 0:23 / 23:08]

104 Claire Sliwerski 34:20 [7:44 / 1:01 / 26:34]

Parkruns

A 1st place finish from Richard Macauley at Grovelands, while Rebecca Bunting and Leigh James were first females at Oak Hill and Finsbury Park respectively. Full weekly parkrun results here: http://www.parkrun.com/results/consolidatedclub/?clubNum=2017&eventdate=2014-10-04