Met League # Two: 7 November, Stevenage

The Heathside spirit and fortitude was out in force at the second Met League in Stevenage on Saturday.  Despite torrential rain and late trains the club put in an outstanding and enthusiastic performance.  Read Chris's monster report to find out what happened...

Delayed Trains and Heavy Rains Fail to Dampen Heathside Fireworks Fiesta

After the balmy conditions at Claybury saw record numbers of Heathsiders out for the first Met League meeting of the season last month, it was reasonable to expect that torrential rain and high winds might dampen the club’s enthusiasm for a good cross-country tear-up this weekend. Such doubts underestimate the resolve of the club, however, and the Heathside faithful demonstrated once again what a determined lot we are when it comes to taking on the foulest of conditions to run cross-country!

Despite delays on the trains, and rain that refused to let up until the meeting was all but over, Heathsiders turned out in record numbers to represent their club, pitting themselves against the elements with all the cheer and resolve that makes running with Heathside such a joy. A total of 107 senior members (37 Women and 70 Men) and 19 Juniors completed the wet, muddy, and exposed course. I would like to thank everyone who made the trip, defied the rain, and paraded the club vest around the slippery fields of Stevenage with such grace and high spirits. I would particularly like to congratulate the many new members who demonstrated such fantastic enthusiasm for the event and their club. There is unquestionably a groundswell of promising new Heathsiders making their presence felt at the Met League this season, which bodes well for the rest of the campaign, even if it is pushing old hands like me down the pecking order. Bring it on, I say!

Last week’s rain meant that the Stevenage course cut up more than expected, and by the time the men had completed two circuits of the course, the final lap was more reminiscent of January conditions than November. The mud sapped strength from the legs of many, and gave warning of what is to come as the ground gets heavier during the winter. The modified course this season, which stayed out of the woods, arguably made the race more difficult as the entire circuit was exposed to the gusting winds. 

The presence of a horde of guest students from Cambridge University (a swarm of students? a plague of students? a muddle of students?), competing for selection for the Oxford-Cambridge Cross-Country match later this month meant that the Senior races had deeper elite fields than usual for the Met League. Consequently, most of us finished further back than at Claybury, making a top-50 finish in the Women’s race, or a top-100 finish in the Men’s race a real prize. Normal business will be resumed next month when the Met League moves on to Wormwood Scrubs.

Starting with the Juniors, Arthur Reed again showed his talent, with an 11th place finish in the Under-11 Boys and Girls race. Ruari McGonagle’s 8th place in the Under-13 Boys race was another highlight. David Keto finished 16th in the Under-17 Men’s race. The highlight here, however, was Jem O’Flaherty, who finished 20th and 2nd Under-15 (from 45 Under-15s). Nice one, Jem! Meg Naylor finished 33rd in the Under-17 Women’s race, placing 18th from 42 in the Under-15 Girls category.  

In the Senior Women’s race (218 finishers), 37 Heathsiders took on the 6km course in squally rain, despite several competitors having to run from the station just to make the start on time (thanks to delays on the line from London). At the front of the Heathside pack, injuries and absences meant that we were missing a few familiar faces. No matter: others stepped up to the plate with impressive performances. Rebecca Piggott led Heathside home with a 26th place finish. Rachel Seckl had another outstanding run, finishing 30th overall, and 6th in the Under-20 category. Newcomer Dorcas Wright smashed her way straight into the A-team scorers with a blistering maiden Met League run for Heathside, timing her effort superbly to finish 37th, one place ahead of Celine Murray, who is still recovering from her Dublin Marathon heroics. Huge respect to Rachel Newstead, who flew in from Germany to represent the club, finishing 40th, just ahead of Leigh James (46th), who completed the Women’s A-team scorers with another solid run.

Back down the field there were too many great runs to mention, so I’ll pick out just a few. Welcome back from injury to Sue Rust (47th and 1st V-35), who looked like she’ll be back at the front before too long. Likewise to Captain Cathy Jeremiah, gingerly finding her way back from injury with an impressive 61st place finish. Big thanks to Yanna Raykov, who took the afternoon off from study to represent her club and promptly finished 60th (11th Under-20). Many thanks for your loyalty, Yanna (and for scoring so well for my Fantasy Met League team!).

Respect due for some great running from Emilia Vynnycky (116th and 6th V-45), Sandra Buckton (122nd and 7th V-45), Jackie Wastell (123rd and 3rd V-50), Jo Irwin (125th and 8th V-45), Elizabeth Beard (127th and 8th V-40), Caroline White (146th and 2nd V-55), Ruth Miller (150th and 3rd V-55), and Fiona Holland (170th and 5th V-55).

A big Heathside welcome to the Women who made their Met League debuts at Stevenage - Dorcas Wright, Hannah Stanforth, Madeleine Minson, Megan Townsend, and Valerie Keller-Cruchet. I hope you all enjoyed the experience and we’ll see you again next month for the third Met League!

On to the team results. Despite missing some of our quickest runners, Heathside Women’s A-team finished an impressive third in Division One, and now stand second after two fixtures, behind H*ghgate. Although a significant gap is opening up between our North London rivals and ourselves, we remain just about in touch. We’ll need to be at our very best in the last three fixtures if we are to make up the deficit, however. Our B-team finished third in Division Two, but remains top of the league: come on Heathside - promotion is calling! Our C-team slipped back to fifth place at Stevenage, and now sits third in the league, just outside the top two promotion spots. Lots still to play for.

In the Vets competition our Women’s A-team finished third in Division One (second after two fixtures), with our B-team fifth (6th after two), and our C-team running away at the top of Division Three with a first place spot that leaves us top after two meetings. Great things beckon, Heathside Vets. Oil those hips well and keep warm for Wormwood Scrubs!

On to the Senior Men now, where the standout run of the day unquestionably came from James Wooldridge, who stormed to 27th place (third Under-20). Taking out the two Cambridge University Under-20s who finished ahead of him, James was the first regular Met League Under-20 finisher - a truly fantastic achievement, and testimony to the commitment of both James and his coaches. With Johnny Naylor (117th and 12th Under-20), and Jacob Phillips (149th and 14th Under-20), the future for Heathside’s Men is looking very promising indeed.

Olivier le Polain had another standout run to finish 32nd in a very competitive race, with Andrew Brooker (58th) taking the honours in the Brooker/Norris tussle from Chris (63rd). Adam Kirk-Smith bounced back from a long lay-off to finish 68th. Big-ups also to Rich Macaulay (96th) and Dave Hellard (103rd). Martin Potter was first Vet home in 108th (3rd V-45): no keeping a good X/C runner down. Thankfully.

Meanwhile, back with the massed ranks, there were plenty of eye-catching runs: Kimon Doulis (141st) is getting faster by the week, as is Dave Brown, back where he belongs (ahead of me) in 162nd. Great to see Chris Burn (142nd) sneaking back from Switzerland for a crafty Met League. Good to see the family Fassnidge at the Met League again, with Matt finishing 321st. The report wouldn’t be complete without recording some superb Vet runs, from Charles Redfern (373rd and 5th V-60, Neil Davies (408th and an impressive 1st V-65), and our very own Bob Gould, back at the Met League at last, in 431st position (a most impressive 3rd V-70). Adrian Essex (432nd, and 11th V-60) was on ‘Lantern Rouge’ duties for Heathside. 

Big welcomes all round for the Male Met League first-timers (apologies if I miss any): Daniel Jackson (182nd), Manuel Caeiro (211th), Nick Haward (227th), Paul Beale (239th) and John McKnight (328th). Great running, gentlemen. I hope we’ll see you at the Met League again next month. Feel free to bring another new member along with you!

The Senior Men’s team results were generally good. Our A-team finished fifth on the day, and lies fourth in Division One after two fixtures. A fantastic outing from the B-team scorers (McCrickerd, Doulis, Burn, Phillips, D. McKeown, Brown, Hartley and Lynch) secured top spot in Division Two (second - and serious promotion contenders - after two fixtures). Our C-team finished 4th in Division Two (also fourth after two fixtures). Fantastic effort, men! On the Vets side we’re in a spot of bother, however, with our A-team losing out to Serpentine for top honours again, to stand second in Division One after two fixtures. Men, we have won the Vets trophy for the last EIGHT years! If we’re going to make it nine we need our strongest Vets to turn up and run well. Don’t let Serpie take our crown! Meanwhile, our B-team finished 6th (5th after two fixtures), with the C-team 10th (9th after two, and in danger of relegation from Division One). Old men, we need to put the cocoa down and whip ourselves into shape for the next race. COYH!

Many thanks to the huge number Heathsiders who turned out for the club at Stevenage, and put in a solid shift under testing conditions. Apologies for the pre-race problems with numbers for the Men’s race. We’ll do everything we can to avoid a repeat at Wormwood Scrubs next month. Admin issues aside, I’m sure every one of you will have experienced that thoroughly deserved sense of post-race euphoria, and felt the glow of satisfaction that only a nice cup of tea and a hot shower after cross-country can bring. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, no matter how many times you pull on those spikes for another muddy afternoon’s running! On behalf of Our Dear Leader, many thanks indeed for getting involved.

As always, special thanks to Jerry Odlin (ODL) and Pete Holland for their support, for handing out running numbers, and for collecting results at the end with their usual unflappable good humour and diligence.

COME ON YOU HEATHSIDE! 

RESULTS

Under-11 Boys and Girls, 1.6km (60 finishers)

11. Arthur Reed 6.59
26. Lorna Dumbleton 7.39 (10th Female)
45. Kate Driscoll 8.00
58. Fabienne Weston 9.17 

Under-13 Girls, 3.3km (56 finishers)
19. Evelyn Dumbleton 15.41
21. Rose Garrett 15.50

24. Mathilda Heath 16.02
41. Annie Walker 17.03

Under-13 Boys, 3.2km (71 finishers)
8. Ruari McGonagle 13.56
51. Oliver O’Connor 16.10

Under-17 Women/Under-15 Girls, 4km (66 finishers, 41 Under-15)
33. Meg Naylor 20.56 (18th U-15)
50. Phoebe Crockford 23.03 (29th U-15)

Under-17 Men/Under-15 Boys, 4km, (90 finishers, 45 Under-15)
16. David Keto 17.00
20. Jem O’Flaherty 17.06 (2nd U-15)
22. William Griffiths 17.10
36. Luke Gray 17.41
39. Isaac Costley 17.46
46. Adam Bessadi 17.57 (11th U-15)
59. Liam Garrett 18.16 (23rd U-15)
70. Gabriel Bazzarelli 18.37 (30th U-15)

Senior Women, 5.8km, (218 finishers)
26. Rebecca Piggott 26.19
30. Rachel Seckl 26.30 (6th U-20)
37. Dorcas Wright 26.52
38. Celine Murray 26.56
40. Rachel Newstead 27.03
46. Leigh James 27.28
47. Sue Rust 27.33 (1st V-35)
60. Yanna Raykov 28.03 (11th U-20)
61. Cathy Jeremiah 28.07
63. Colette Monahan 28.16
79. Estibaliz Guijarro 28.55
84. Ula Cartwright-Finch 29.10 (6th V-35)
90. Alice Lighton 29.19
94. Satu Hietanen 29.29 (5th V-40)
103. Elinor East 29.54
108. Jennifer Wing 30.14
110. Genevieve Weston 30.18 (18th U-20)
112. Jessica Vinluan 30.23 (10th V-35)
116. Emilia Vynnycky 30.27 (6th V-45)
122. Sandra Buckton 30.37 (7th V-45)
123. Jackie Wastell 30.43 (3rd V-50)
124. Hannah Stanforth 30.45
125. Jo Irwin 30.47 (8th V-45)
126. Jodie Gray 30.52
127. Elizabeth Beard 30.57 (8th V-40)
131. Noelle O’Regan 31.03
133. Tammela Platt 31.09
135. Madeleine Minson31.14 (12th V-45)
146. Caroline White 31.53 (2nd V-55)
149. Edyta Szot 32.10 (9th V-40)
150. Ruth Miller 32.16 (3rd V-55)
170. Fiona Holland 33.27 (5th V-55)
185. Megan Townsend 34.34
191. Kim Butler 35.59
204. Alison Harrow 37.16 (20th V-45)
212. Valerie Keller-Cruchet 38.50
215. Laura Boothman 40.09 (20th V-35) 

Senior Men, 8.0km, (447 finishers)
27. James Wooldridge 31.43 (3rd U-20)
32. Olivier le Polain 31.56
58. Andrew Brooker 32.40
63. Chris Norris 32.54
68. Adam Kirk-Smith 32.59
92. Tom Stephenson 33.37
94. Andy Barnes 33.38
96. Richard Macaulay 33.41
98. Charles Hardy 33.43
103. Dave Hellard 33.48
108. Martin Potter 33.56 (3rd V-45)
117. Johnny Naylor 34.18 (12th U-20)
137. Ryan McCrickerd 35.03
141. Kimon Doulis 35.08
142. Chris Burn 35.11
149. Jacob Phillips 35.33 (14th U-20)
156. Dan McKeown 35.48
162. Dave Brown 36.02 (5th V-50)
170. Chris Hartley 36.12 (7th V-50)
171. James Lynch 36.12
178. Chris Shipley 36.24
179. Howard Gold 36.24
182. Daniel Jackson 36.30
183. Ben Wolfe 36.31
185. Adam Mitchell 36.33
187. Sam Thompson 36.38
192. Norman Mitchell 36.47 (9th V-50)
194. Paul Mercer 36.52 (10th V-40)
199. Gareth Marshall 37.06
203. Joe McKeown 37.10
210. Rob Shulman 37.18 (9th V-45)
211. Manuel Caeiro 37.20
212. Stuart Meiklejohn 37.23
218. Mario Cadete 37.35
224. Paul Jarman 37.46 (12th V-50)
227. Nick Haward 37.54
230. Jacob Howe 37.56 (15th V-40)
239. Paul Beale 38.08 (14th V-45)
242. Phil Hogg 38.12 (15th V-45)
247. Tony Killilea 38.26 (17th V-50)
249. Pete Crockford 38.29 (3rd V-55)
256. Marco Luna 38.38
267. Kris Milovsorov 38.54
269. Gareth Marshall 38.56
281. Andrew Johnston 39.18 (20th V-45)
291. David Hallam 39.34 (23rd V-45)
292. Jonathan Litchfield 39.35 (24th V-40)
294. Will Whitaker 39.38
296. James Dark 39.38 (25th V-40)
300. Mark George 39.45 (25th V-45)
307. Andy Owen 40.04 (26th V-45)
321. Matt Fassnidge 40.30
324. Elliott Reed 40.35 (27th V-40)
328. John McKnight 40.41
349. Laurence Arnold 41.46
359. Leo Pemberton 42.55
363. Ian Whisson 43.04 (14th V-55)
372. Ollie Pound 43.50
373. Charles Redfern 43.51 (5th V-60)
379. Andrew Hudson 44.12 (16th V-55)
386. Russell Weston 44.53 (35th V-50)
393. Ben Montilla 45.09
399. Raymond Watts 45.57 (33rd V-40)
401. Dave Walton 46.06 (37th V-50)
402. Gavin Parish 46.10
408. Neil Davies 46.58 (1st V-65)
416. Alun Nash 48.14
420. Ken Townson 48.56 (41st V-45)
431. Bob Gould 51.25 (3rd V-70)
432. Adrian Essex 51.27 (11th V-60)