Heathside triumphs at Claybury Met League

The big excitement at the weekend was of course the first Met League cross country event of the season, held at Claybury, where over 100 Heathsiders turned out to race in the sunshine. Among the many successes, special mention goes to Ruairi McGonagle for winning the 1500m under 11s race. Leigh James also deserves a special mention for her amazing time in the Eindhoven marathon coming in well under 3 hours. 

Although the Met league (see Chris’s colourful race report below) took up the majority of heathsider's racing diaries this weekend, there were still a scattering of Heathsiders to be found competing in a selection of events near and far, a 5k in the Chingford League, a 15K trail run in the Chilterns, a couple of half marathons (in Peterborough and Oxford), the York Marathon and aforementioned Eindhoven Marathon.

Hogg Hill 5k,Chingford League
Rebecca Bunting did extremely well in this mid-week race - part of the Chingford League, coming  2nd overall.

Half Marathons
Simon Hazel enjoyed the Great East Run in Peterborough and had this to say: “finally back racing after a frustrating summer laid up with a wrist fracture.Today in perfect running weather a few of us stormed the Great East Run in Peterborough. I ran a steady 1:35:50 and was closely followed by Antony Chaimowitz in 1:36:29 with Katie Creaney in 1:46:36.It was Ant's first race for 5 years, I'll have to find something else to rib him about now. A couple of other Heathsiders also ran”.

Monika Newton was very pleased with her new PB of 1.32.30 achieved in the Oxford Half.

Ridgeway run, 15K, Chilterns, 12.10.2014
A small, select group braved the “challenging trail run” carried out on the footpaths and bridleways winding up in to the beautiful Ashridge Estate, in the scenic Chilterns, including some of the famous Ridgeway Path, and Pitstone Hill. First Heathsider home was Mark George in an excellent time of 1.12.31.

Marathons
Sarah Illingsworth took part in the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon in York, and reported back “It was a foggy cold start but we soon warmed up with the wonderful Yorkshire hospitality and with what you could see of the countryside. The race was organised to military precision with lots of friendly marshals and supporters. I would recommend it and do it again."

Leigh James finished the Eindhoven marathon in the astounding time of 2:52.12. Clearly all her training paid off, with what I assume is a PB for her.

Met League  cross-country, Claybury, Saturday 11.10.14  

And of course, last but not definitely not least in the listing here, just to keep you interested until the end -  there was the Met League! Many thanks to Captain Chris for his full and thorough report here:

Head and shoulders above the competition as Ni’ia toes the line at Claybury.

The cross-country season got underway at last, with all manner of goings-on at Claybury. Heathside, as reliable and slightly twisted as ever, turned up in their droves. What a sight we made - so many us in our colourful new spikes and club vests! That’s not to mention Sam Thompson’s two-tone legs - enough to put anyone off all that cycling lycra for a while, I’d say.

The club broke the 100 mark (12 Juniors, 30 Senior Women, and 60 Senior Men took part). Amazing! To borrow the lines of a well-known football chant: ‘Heathside here, Heathside there...’ You can finish that yourself, any way you choose. Anyway, the sun shone, and a thoroughly entertaining afternoon was had by all. On behalf of the club, let me offer my thanks to everyone who came along, and congratulations on some outstanding running. We’re up and at ‘em Heathside!

Junior Races.
The newly introduced Under-11’s race (for those aged 9 and 10, for any parents interested in entering their kids later in the season) marked a notable victory for Heathside! The very talented Ruairi McGonagle stormed home to win the 1500m race in a time of 5mins 25seconds. What a way to start the season: first race, first winner. Congratulations, Ruairi, and I hope I spelled your name correctly. Congratulations as well to Thomas Latham, Kate Driscoll, and Henry Massey who also ran brilliantly. Come again, and bring your mates!

Also impressive in the Junior races were Liam Garrett, who stepped-up from the U13s to the U17 Men’s race and still finished a strong 20th from 74 participants. Within that, Liam finished 5th Under-15. New motto: Win-Li-Am (see what I did there? Will-I-Am? Oh, never mind).

Senior Women
With no less than 30 Heathside women turning out (from the 169 taking part), we were always in for a strong performance, and that’s exactly what we got. Laying down a marker for the men to marvel at, Heathside’s ladies stormed off at the gun; some to the front of the race, some to the back. But they all count the same to me. A good gathering of supporters congregated at ‘Heathside Corner’ to cheer them all on. The 6km course was firm, but featured a couple of hills that let everyone know that cross-country is well and truly back.

Debutant Ni’ia Hothersall ran a perfect tactical race, letting things unfold ahead of her, sticking with a chasing group and then running the legs out of them during the final lap to finish a fantastic fourth, in a time of 22.13. For a newcomer to the Met League, it was a truly impressive performance. No less impressive, however, was the return of Sue ‘Achilles’ Rust, who proved that aqua-jogging CAN work when you can’t run, by strolling back from injury as if she’d never been away. Sue stormed to a fantastic 8th place, barely 30s behind Ni’ia. A third great performance came from Rachel Seckl, stepping up to the Seniors’ race for the first time to finish 20th (3rd Under-20). Heathside’s first six home was completed by Rachel Newstead (25th), Rebecca Bunting (27th), and Team Captain, Cathy Jeremiah (37th). Back down the field, Heathside women were taking on the terrain and coming out on top. The ever-reliable Bridgit Napleton finished 2nd in the V45 category (60th overall), whilst Jackie Wastell offered her usual pre-race sob-stories before dashing off to win the V50 category outright (61st overall). Jackie, we won’t be fooled again! Commiserations to Caroline Boyle, who had to pull out mid-run due to an old injury. Get better soon, Caroline (preferably in time for the next Met League!) I would also like to say congratulations to all the first-timers, and welcome back to the old hands. Ladies: we asked for a big start to the season, and you delivered.

Senior Women’s Team Performances
Our A team on the day consisted of Ni’ia, Sue, Rachel, Rachel, Rebecca and Cathy. They finished 3rd in Division One, just a tiny margin behind H*ghgate in second, and not far off Serpentine in first. Dare we dream, ladies? With Sarah Swinhoe on the recovery trail, yes, I think we should!

The Women’s B team at Claybury was made up of Angela Howe, Louise Atkin, Bridgit Napleton, Jackie Wastell, Alice Lighton, and Katharine Daish. Heathside B finished 8th from 10 teams in Division One. It’s an enormous credit to the club to have two teams in the top Division, but make no mistake: we’re going to have to compete hard to keep it that way. Two teams will be relegated at the end of the season.

The C team (Katherine Hurrell, Jo Irwin, Agi Palanki, Emma Ford, and Ruth Miller) finished a solid 5th in Division Two. Nice one.

Everyone else who ran counted for the club as well: we need as many Heathside runners as possible to turn up and push our competition further down the field!

The Women’s Vets A team - current Met League Champions - were edged into second in Division One by Serpentine. We have some work to do if we’re going to retain our title, but the margin was small. We can make it up at the next race. Women of a certain age: we need you! Meanwhile, the Vets B team finished a solid 7th in Division One.

Senior Men
Heathside’s turnout in the Senior Men’s category was very impressive indeed, with no less than 60 of us toeing the line - surely a record for Claybury. Again, it was a pleasure to see so many new faces, and to welcome back others from injury. A special mention for Dan McKeown, who is solidly on the comeback trail after his injury, and Sergio Di Noto, who ran as if his own injury problems never happened. Good to see Rob Shulman back out there too.

Tom Aldred once again proved that he is one of the strongest distance athletes in the region, mixing it up with an impressive elite field to finish a fantastic 10th out of 417 competitors, over the 8km course. Apparently, (according to Angela Howe) the secret of his success is ‘high knees’. Worth a try, lads? Let’s get those pre-race drills started!

Tom headed the prestigious Heathside A team berths, the others being filled by Adam Kirk-Smith (48th), Andrew Brooker (51st - and redemption after ‘the blow-up to end all blow-ups’ at Claybury last season), George Stewart (52nd, 2nd Vet and 1st V45. George: we salute you), James Wooldridge (72nd in his first Senior race, and 5th Under-20. James will get stronger with every race, mark my words), Chris Norris (73rd), Matt Convery (84th and shrugging off the effects of his travel adventures), John Driscoll (105th, and 9th Vet), Mark Anderson (115th), Richard Macaulay (118th), Sergio Di Noto (124th), and Adam Mitchell (126th).

Further down the field, it was a pleasure to see Jacob Howe solidly back in contention again (164th) along with Norman Mitchell (176th). Some old competitions were revived (where were you, Jonathan Hopkin?), and a few were missed (where WERE you, Howard Gold?). But most of all, it was a pleasure to see so many new faces. I hope everyone enjoyed their debuts and will come back for more next time. We welcome every member to cross-country, so talk someone else to coming along in November too!

Senior Men’s Team Performances
The A team finished in a slightly disappointing 6th spot in Division One. We really need to get our first 12 finishers in the top 100 overall, so there’s more to be done in terms of improving our fitness as the season goes on, and making sure our strongest runners turn out. There are four more races to put this right. Come on, lads!

Meanwhile, the B team (Sam Thompson, Chris Hartley, Chris Shipley, Steve Armstrong, Paul Jarman, Andy Welshman, Jonathan Hopkin, Adam Ibrahim, Jacob Howe, Simon Nash, Dave Brown, Norman Mitchell) finished 3rd in Division Two. We’d love to finish in the top two this season (to secure promotion), so let’s get training hard, and lift those knees, men!

The C team (Gavin Evans, Dom Jackson, Dan McKeown, Phil Wright, Tony Killilea, Kris Milovsorov, Jonathan Litchfield, Lee Connor) finished 8th in Division Two. Once again, we need to work hard here - this time to remain in what is a tough division.

Many, many thanks to all those who ran behind and held our competition at bay. Once again, we need you all!

In the Vets categories, where Heathside are the current champions, with no less than THREE teams in Division One, our A team came in first on the day, our B team fifth, and our C team 7th. Vets: we love you all (just don’t dribble), especially in the C team, where we will have to fight hard to stay at the top table. Don’t think your race doesn’t matter to us: IT DOES!

Conclusion
We made a really good start to the season at Claybury, and it was a pleasure, as always, to be your team captain (men). Cathy Jeremiah is clearly exercising her own special magic to get so many women along to her first race as Women’s captain. We’ve made a really good start, especially in the Women’s categories, and given ourselves a good base to build on across the board. If you couldn’t make it to Claybury, fear not. Come along to the next race and get involved. Now, let’s get ourselves together, train plenty and go again for the next Met League meeting on November 8th, at Stevenage!

Full Results

Great East Run, Half marathon, Peterborough, 12.10.14
Phil Bentley 1:20:33
Micheal Bironneau 1:25:32
Simon Hazel 1.35.50
Antony Chaimowitz in 1:36:29
Katie Creaney in 1:46:36.

Oxford Half Marathon, Oxford, 12.10.14
Monika Newton 1.32.30

Ridgeway 15K Trail Run, Chilterns, Tring 12.10.2014
86th Mark George in 1.12.31,
130th Robert Bowler 1.16.13
131st Jesper Lycke, 1.16.24
168th Caroline White1.18.41
245th Andrew Conway 1.23.57
323rd Rick Baker 1.28.57
360th James Taggart1.31.49

Chingford League 5k  Race 1 Hog Hill 7.10.14
2nd Rebecca Bunting 19.42

Eindhoven Marathon 12.10.14
Leigh James 2:52.12.

Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, York 12.10.14
Sarah Illingsworth 4.06.22 PB.

Met League, Claybury, 11.10.14

Under-11 Mixed Race (62 ran)
1. Ruairi McGonagle 5.25
44. Thomas Latham  6.59
48. Kate Driscoll  7.12
50. Henry Massey  7.16

Under 13 Boys (45 ran)
26. Arthur Reed  13.07

Under 13 Girls (33 ran)
32. Aaliyah Lakeman  17.05

Under-17 Men (74 ran)
20. Liam Garrett  15.19
26. Miles Calderazzo 15.37
29. William Griffiths 15.46
36. Jacob Phillips  15.59
43. Antanas Weston  16.17

Under-17 Women (56 ran)
29. Phoebe Crockford 18.54

Senior Women (169 ran)
4. Ni’ia Hothersall 22.13
8. Sue Rust  22.45
20. Rachel Seckl  23.32
25. Rachel Newstead  23.56
27 Rebecca Bunting  24.02
37. Cathy Jeremiah  24.50
50. Angela Howe  25.32
51. Louise Atkin  25.33
60. Bridgit Napleton 25.49
61. Jackie Wastell  26.06
64. Alice Lighton  26.25
65. Katharine Daish  26.26
78. Kathryn Hurrell 27.11
91. Jo Irwin  28.02
105. Agi Palanki  29.10
107. Emma Ford  29.14
109. Victoria Pound  29.16
121. Noelle O’Regan  29.47
125. Fiona Holland  30.18
126. Jess Fogarty  30.23
132. Claire Alder  30.51
140. Claire Sliwerski 31.31
142. Gabi Johnson  31.40
145. Shelley Fennell  32.04
149. Sandra Buckton  32.33
150. Alison Harrow  32.36
151. Kim Butler (Guest) 32.38
155. Laura Boothman  33.19
167. Helene Kehoe  37.21

Senior Men (417 ran)
10 Tom Aldred  25.23
58 Adam Kirk-Smith  27.48
51 Andrew Brooker  27.56
52 George Stewart  28.02
72 James Wooldridge 28.40
73 Chris Norris  28.42
84 Matt Convery  29.05
105. John Driscoll  29.47
115. Mark Anderson  30.07
118. Richard Macaulay 30.10
124. Sergio Di Noto  30.18
126. Adam Mitchell  30.21
127. Sam Thompson  30.22
135. Chris Hartley  30.28
142. Chris Shipley  30.37
147. Steve Armstrong  30.49
148. Paul Jarman  30.50
150. Andy Welshman  30.53
161. Jonathan Hopkin  31.08
163. Adam Ibrahim  31.10
164. Jacob Howe  31.11
165. Simon Nash  31.11
173. Dave Brown  31.23
176. Norman Mitchell  31.28
191. Gavin Evans  31.56
196. Dom Jackson  32.04
200. Dan McKeown  32.11
203. Phil Wright  32.20
206. Tony Killilea  32.25
211. Joe McKeown  32.38
214. Kris Milovsorov  32.40
225. Jonathan Litchfield 32.50
228. Lee Connor  32.55
229. Alan Whatmough  33.03
232. Asa Cusack  33.04
240. Rob Shulman  33.27
251. Tim Marshall  33.37
252. Alex Sweet  33.39
256. Andy Owen  33.43
268. Rick Hewitt  34.10
271. William Wagstaff 34.16
276. Alex Latham  34.26
296. Jim Connell  35.19
305. Brian Boyle  35.38
309. Andrew Sulston  35.51
323. Carl Heap  36.27
330. Laurence Arnold  36.50
337. Emerson Paul  37.17
341. Pete Crockford  32.32
348. Ian Whisson  37.52
356. Leo Pemberton  38.17
367. James Darke  38.48
368. Elliot Reed  38.50
374. Declan McIntyre  39.10
375. Ray Watts  39.29
378. Ollie Pound  39.49
379. Charles Refern  39.50
381. Alun Nash  40.04
398. Ken Townson  42.58
404. Adrian Essex  43.32
  

Park Run results can be found here.