Heathsiders Blow Lee Valley Away

For those wondering what longer distance races are like in a Covid-19 world Sara Black took part in the Lee Valley Velo Park 10km - Saturday 29th Aug and reports “I'd entered the 10 mile event however, due to organisational reasons that distance was dropped so decided to do the 10 km event.  It was WINDY and very undulating - did I mention it was windy???

Jo Irwin and I travelled together to the venue.  The day before the event I had a meeting with my coach and told him I'm not really feeling it.  I'll be honest, having not raced since The Big Half back in March, despite training during lockdown I was rather nervous that my legs, lungs and heart had forgotten how to race.

The event was extremely well organised - can't fault their Covid provisions at all.  There were two 10 km waves, every runner lined up in single file near a start line and set off approx 5 seconds between each other. Due to social distancing, I found myself weaving in and out a lot which added some distance to the course.

I noticed a couple of  other Heathsider's - Andy Barnes (36:57, 7th overall), 1st in age group) and Stephen Topp (39:27 14th overall, 3rd in age group)   I finished in 41:16, 20th overall (2nd woman, 1st in age group), Jo Irwin finished in 50:15, 52nd overall, 1st in age group).

It was great to get out there again.  I can't say I'm rushing to do another event of 6 laps for a 10 km race, the wind (did I mention it was windy) and the undulating course made it challenging, however, I'm very pleased I gave it a go!”

The South of England T&F Championships were cancelled this year however they ran an Open Competition at Chelmsford with a selection of events for U15’s upwards.  A number of Heathsiders took part with Larissa Wilson and Amara Odeogberin in the U15G 300m and Noelle O’Regan in the SW 400m .

The British Milers Club held a very high-quality competition at Lee Valley on 29th with Thomas Archer recorded the 2nd fastest 1500m time this year by an U17M with 3:59.04, less than a second outside his PB.  Mia Rosen ran in the U13 Girls 800m A race with a range of great performances in hard conditions including Shaikira King (Wreake & Soar Valley) who with 2:16.49 ran the 6th fastest time ever by a British U13 Girl. In a nice touch the U13’s had Jess Judd, who was at Lee Valley preparing for the National Championships next week, pacemaking for them. Footage of Mia’s race is here or here. and Thomas’ here. or here.

At the Herne Hill Open David Baah-Okyere and Will Ross both competed over 800m on a damp night with David improving his PB by a sec and Will improving his Feb time by 4 sec.

Results:-

BMC Gold Standard Races, Lee Valley, 29 August 2020

Girls 800m A

3rd Mia Rosen (U13G) 2:35.47 AAA Grade 3

Mens 1500m C

6th Thomas Archer (U17M) 3:59.04 (2nd fastest by an U17M this year) AAA Grade 1

SEAA Covid-19 Games, Chelmsford, 29-30th August 2020

U15G 300m

H2 2nd Larissa Wilson (U15G) 45.86

H2 5th Amara Odeogberin (U15G) 46.66

SW 400m

H2 3rd Noelle O’Regan 63.16

RunThrough Lee Valley VeloPark Races, Lee Valley, 29th August 2020

10k Wave 2

1st A Bond (Dulwich Runners) 33:42

7th Andy Barnes 36:57

14th Stephen Topp 39:27

20th Sara Black 41:16 (2nd Female 1st V40W)

52nd Jo Irwin 50:15 (5th Female 1st Cat)

Half Marathon Wave 2

1st K Romain 1:19.16

2nd Fabian Thehos 1:32.38 (1st cat)

Half Marathon Wave 1

1st E Sumskis (Newham) 1:08.42

41st Glen Taylor 1:36.54 (2nd Cat)

Herne Hill Harriers 800/3000m Evening Open, Tooting Bec, 2nd September 2020

800m

H8 8th David Baah-Okyere (U15B) 2:14.36 PB AAA Grade 4

H10 6th Will Ross 2:02.68

Many thanks to Sara Black, if you have competed or taken part in any event don’t keep it to yourself let us know reports@londonheathside.org.uk

Mia Rosen (Lane 2) at the start of the U13G 800m with Jess Judd the pacemaker. (Photo: Mark Hookway)