Smash 'n' grab as Heathside women take Met League title

Met League Race 5 - Saturday 7th February, Wormwood Scrubs: Race Report

‘It was never in doubt,’ says raid architect Jeremiah

Days later, and I’m still rubbing my eyes, looking at the results of the Met League in disbelief. Did London Heathside Senior Women really pull off an extraordinary victory, storming from third place to win the Division One title at the final race of the season? Our Dear Leader began to put the rumour round that we’d done exactly that a good half an hour before the official announcement was made, at around 4.15pm on Saturday afternoon, two hours after the race itself had finished. I’m not sure if any of us dared believe that it might be true (note to self: in future, if in doubt, trust ODL, and put your faith in Heathside’s Women). Sure enough, when the final results were in, and the announcement came, the news was confirmed: Heathside are Met League Champions for 2014-15! Our magnificent runners succeeded in pulling off what is perhaps the club’s finest athletic achievement of the last ten years, audaciously striding from behind Shaftesbury Barnet and H*ghgate to get their hands on the overall winner’s trophy in the very last race of the season. Be still, my beating heart!

Let’s take stock for a moment here, with a brief recap of the season so far: Heathside’s Senior Women’s A-team finished in third place at Claybury (October), Stevenage (November), Hillingdon (December), and Perivale (January). Not surprisingly, we stood third in Division One after four meetings. A creditable podium place finish was in sight. But after a really good run at Perivale, hope began to spread round the club that the gap between Heathside, Shaftesbury Barnet (in first place), and H*ghgate (in second) was, with a monumental effort and a bit of luck, just about bridgeable. We went to the Scrubs on Saturday ready to push the other clubs all the way, knowing that with commitment and guts we had a small chance to snatch the winner’s trophy from under their noses. And that’s exactly what we did. Hitting the front when it mattered most, our A-team women finished first on the day - first by a sizeable enough margin over Shaftesbury Barnet and H*ghgate to move us into top spot for the season overall.

I’m fair bursting with pride for Heathside! So, let me begin with a roll of honour for the women who finished in our A-team on Saturday, and those who did so at the four other Met League races this season: Clare Miller, Rebecca Piggott, Sue Rust, Rachel Newstead, Celine Murray, and Cathy Jeremiah (Saturday), join Ni’ia Hothersall (Claybury, Stevenage, Hillingdon), Rebecca Bunting (Claybury, Stevenage, Hillingdon), Rachel Seckl (Claybury, Stevenage, Perivale), and Leigh James (Stevenage, Hillingdon, Perivale) on the podium. Take a bow, ladies, and soak up the adulation.

As you will know by now (because we go on about it ceaselessly from October to February), success in cross-country is a team effort. The A-team’s victory would doubtless not have happened without the many other Heathside runners who also edged out our competitors’ scoring runners, on Saturday and all season long. To any of those proud Heathside bearers of the blue, gold and red vest who finished ahead of the black-and-white of Shaftesbury Barnet, or H*ghgate, your run may well have been part of the foundations upon which Sue, Clare, Ni’ia, Rebecca, Rebecca, Leigh, Celine, Cathy, Rachel and Rachel put the finishing touches. Cathy proudly received the Met League Champions trophy on Saturday on behalf of every one of you who turned out and competed for your club in this fabulous cross-country season.

Right: enough of the victor’s speeches for now. Let’s get on with some details from Saturday’s race: because Heathside Women were not the only ones smiling, come 5pm.

First up, let’s acknowledge what is undoubtedly the individual performance of the year from Heathside’s youngest new cross-country talent, Ruairi McGonagle. As regular report-readers will know, Ruairi came to Wormwood Scrubs with a straight four victories under his belt in the new Under-11 Boys and Girls Race at the Met League this season. Showing not a hint of nerves, Ruairi was un-phased by a couple of runners who shot-off ahead of him at the gun. Within 400m he’d coolly reeled them in, and Ruairi went on to stretch his lead to 30 or 40 metres by the end of the 1500m race, making it an invincible FIVE victories from five Met League meetings this season. Somebody, somewhere, give Ruairi a medal! We’ve not seen his like at Heathside for some time!

Elsewhere amongst the Juniors, Jacob Phillips came an impressive 17th from 55 finishers in the 4km Under-17 Men’s race, with Liam Garrett only just behind in 20th (Liam finished 7th from the 29 competitors who were in the Under-15 Boys category). Phoebe Crockford and Genevieve Weston both completed fine seasons in the Under-17 Women’s Race (4km, 40 finishers), with Phoebe placing 19th on the day (12th in the Under-15 Girls category), and Genevieve finishing 21st. In the Under-17’s events, Heathside’s Junior teams finished 7th from 25 (Men), and 8th from 23 (Women), completing a tidy season for the Juniors. I’d like to congratulate all the Juniors who took on the hills and mud at the Met League this season.

Leaving the Senior Women until last, it’s worth mentioning that there was also a Senior Men’s race taking place on Saturday. Going into it, our B-team had a slim chance of winning promotion from Division Two, whilst our Veteran Men were holding on to first place in the Vets competition. We needed some good runs if we were to secure either prize, and no less than 61 Heathsiders took on the challenge. In relatively firm conditions, over a flat course, Wormwood Scrubs offered real race potential for the 377 finishers, and the men really went at it, with some gritty, determined running from front to back.

At the top of the field, Tom Aldred made it five Heathside first place berths from five, finishing in a solid 24th place overall. Tom has been untouchable again this season, leaving his team-mates battling it out amongst themselves for the lesser honours. Amongst them, Andrew Brooker came out on top at the Scrubs with a great 50th place finish. Unsung-hero of the season, Ryan McCrickerd (62nd), edged out Super-Vet George Stewart (back on form at 64th), with Ed Samuel and Anthony Hall racing off for 75th and 76th spots. Like George, John Driscoll ended his season on a high, storming to a 79th place finish. Men’s A-team berths were completed by another tussle between Andy Barnes (85th) and Matt Collins (87th), Andy Welshman (97th), Mark Anderson (99th), and Tom Livermore (102nd). A word for Andy Welshman, who has had a fantastic season this year, featuring at the heart of the achievements of the Vets as well as the A-team.

Not surprisingly, given the good conditions, there were ding-dong battles going on all over the place, many between our own runners! Ed Samuel held off Anthony Hall by under a second, whilst the battle of the season’s rising stars, Andy Barnes and Matt Collins, saw Andy grab the honours. My own little peer group (Jonathan Hopkin, Mark Anderson, and Tom Livermore) left me wheezing behind on the run-in to the line. Elsewhere, a race that began with Kris Milovsorov in 201st place, included Jacob Howe (205th), Rick Hewitt (208th), Jo McKeown (211th), Alan Latham (213rd), Gareth Marshall (214th), Jonathan Litchfield (215th), Tim Marshall (216th), Lee Connor (220th), Tom Griffiths (224th), Phil Hogg (226th), and Rob Shulman (230th), all of whom finished within 60 seconds of each other, with Kris coming out on top. Gareth beat Tim in an epic ‘battle of the Marshalls’. I’m imagining that the Mark George-Andrew Johnson sprint for 264th spot must have been a good one for the spectators (Mark edged it by less than one second); likewise Brian Boyle and Gavin Parrish (290th and 291st). Great respect to Chip Hamer (320th), and Nik Skipper (344th) at their first Met League races of the season, and of course to Ken Townson (352nd), who didn’t stop running until he’d gone past the finish line all the way to Camp Heathside, where the rest of us were waiting for him to complete the customary team photo.

Big ‘welcomes’ to those men who made their first Met League appearance of the season at Wormwood Scrubs: Paul Lemmon, Brett Patterson, Tom Ashby, James Felstead, Chip Hamer, and Nik Skipper. Good to have you on board, men. But, um, where have you been all winter?!

Although our A-team’s chances of making an impression on the upper reaches of Division One effectively drowned in the mud at Hillingdon in December, when we never really showed up, Heathside’s elite finished a nonetheless creditable fifth for the 2014/15 season. Champions, for the third year running, were H*ghgate. Credit where it’s due: their top runners are fantastic, and they’ve led the Met League all season long. Enough of that. What about our promotion-seeking B-team, I hear you ask? Sadly, despite some great efforts from the likes of Jonathan Hopkin, Richard Macaulay, Sergio Di Noto, Alan Whatmough, and others, a third place finish on the day wasn’t quite enough to win promotion from Division Two. We have set ourselves a target for next season, men!

Having been promoted to Divison Two last season, Heathside Men’s C-team finished a creditable fifth on Saturday, to end the season comfortably in sixth place. Great effort, chaps!

In the Vet’s competition, George Stewart, John Driscoll, Jonathan Hopkin, Chris Hartley, Steve Armstrong, Paul Mercer, Gavin Evans, and Dom Jackson, made up the A-team who eased Heathside to first spot in Division One for the EIGHTH consecutive year. Meanwhile, our B-team finished a fabulous fourth in Division One, whilst our C-team, despite ending a disappointing 9th on Saturday, finished the season in a relegation-avoiding eighth place in Division One. Let’s be clear about this: when it comes to the Vets, Heathside is not only one of the strongest clubs in London, but one of the strongest and most consistent in the South of England. Cocoa and an early night all-round, gentlemen!

Phew! Now that’s over, we can get back to the Senior Women’s race (6km, 162 finishers). Where was I?

Oh yes, I was about to talk Miller and Piggott. Back in January, when Ni’ia Hothershall left our shores for the sun and other attractions of the Antipodes, some of us feared that she’d taken our dreams of Met League glory with her. Not a bit of it. We needed a hero, and guess what? We got two. First, Rebecca Piggott appeared in the form of an early Christmas present at Hillingdon, and then Clare Miller - as is her habit - put in end-of season showings at Perivale, and again on Saturday, that were simply outstanding.

Anyone who watched the race at Perivale last month can’t have failed to notice that something was coming together for Heathside’s women, with razor sharp performances from Clare, Rebecca, and the girls that rekindled the Championship dreams of us all. Wormwood Scrubs yielded the fruits of the hard work that the Women have done in training since then. Clare, who finished a fabulous sixth at Wormwood Scrubs, put in the sort of determined run that winning teams are made of. Anyone who saw the effort etched onto her face in the latter stages of the race will know how hard Clare ran for her club on Saturday. Rebecca, likewise, put in a terrific run to finish immediately behind Clare, with Sue Rust a further four places back in eleventh. Sue, the bedrock on which Women’s cross-country at Heathside has been built for some time now, finished first Vet, by the way. Sue also finished 7th in the Women’s individual competition for the 2014-15 season, winning a bit of hard cash into the bargain. Nice one, Sue! Competition for the remaining A-team finishes was stiff, with Rachel Newstead (22nd), Celine Murray (29th), and Captain Cathy Jeremiah (31st) edging out Rachel Seckl (39th) and this season’s comeback phenomenon, Jane Higgins (41st).

Further down the field, Colette Monahan (43rd), Stephanie Robson (49th), Eilidh Wagstaff (52nd), and Angela Howe (57th) joined Jane and Colette to take the Women’s B-team to a terrific 6th place finish in Division One. Sadly, however, we fell short of what we needed for the B-team to avoid relegation from Division One. We’ll be back! Good to see Stephanie, cross-country legend Paul Lemmon, and their daughter Florence in support at the Scrubs.

Heathside’s C-team finished the season with a solid 4th place in Division Two, finishing 5th for the season. Great runs from newcomers Fran Norman (87) and Lavinia Singer (90th), and many congratulations for the determined efforts of never-miss-a-Met-League Jo Irwin (98th) and Alison Harrow (146th). On Saturday, every one of our 31 finishing ladies could consider themselves the club stars of the weekend.

Amongst the Women’s Vets, our championship-winning squad of last season yielded their title to Barnet & District, with a third place finish this season. No doubt we can win this one back next season though! Our Vets B-team finished 6th in Division One (sixth for the season).

Just a few end-of season comments before I sign-off. First, the club’s strength in depth has proved to be the basis of our success in the Met League this season. We have had some truly huge turnouts, and it’s been a privilege to run with everyone. So, from me, a personal thank you. There’s every reason to think that with the range of talent amongst our female athletes, Heathside can win the Met League again next season. Women, this may be just the beginning! I hope that everyone who has come along and got involved in the Met League this season - from Juniors to Vets - has enjoyed the unique experience of cross-country. When the mud has been washed off, and the tears wiped away, cross-country is about fun, fitness and your club. Trophies and medals are just the (very pleasant) icing on the cake. We hope that the dozens of members who have supported our efforts this season feel the full appreciation of their club. Respect to you all.

Next, club honours to those twenty-one fantastic Heathside athletes who have made it along to all five Met League races this season. They are: Rebecca Bunting, Jackie Wastell, Jo Irwin, Alison Harrow, Tom Aldred, Sam Thompson, Richard Macaulay, Chris Hartley, Norman Mitchell, Jonathan Litchfield, Dom Jackson, Adam Ibrahim, Rob Shulman, Alan Whatmough, Jacob Howe, William Wagstaff, Tim Marshall, Brian Boyle, Pete Crockford, Elliott Reed, and Ken Townson. Go hard, go Heathside!

I’d also like to offer huge thanks to all those who have not run at the Met League, but have been at races to support us this season - partners, kids, friends, the injured, and the retired. We appreciate your encouragement and support more than we usually have the breath to say once we’ve crossed the finishing line. Admiration and respect to Chairman Jerry Odlin and Pete Holland for collating the club’s results, and giving us all the inspiration to keep running when the going got tough.

Anyone involved with London Heathside’s cross-country effort will surely have noticed the team spirit and inclusiveness of both the sport, and their club. Now that the season is drawing to a close, many will go on to fantastic track seasons, PBs on the road, and triathlon triumphs built on a committed cross-country season. Whether that happens or not, we wish you all the best for great Spring and Summer seasons, and we’ll be hoping to see you in your spikes again when the 2015-16 Met League season kicks-off in October!

Come on you Heathside!

Results

Under-11 Boys and Girls (1.5km, 43 finishers)
1. Rauiri McGonagle 6.21
14. Thomas Latham 7.23
32. Orrin Ross 8.15

Under-17 Men/Under-15 Boys (4km, 55 finishers, 29 Under-15)
17. Jacob Phillips 14.06
20. Liam Garrett (7th U-15) 14.16
38. Isaac Costley (17th U-15) 15.16
44. Antanas Weston (21st U-15) 15.36
52. Amar Aiyar-Majeed 16.14

Under -17 Women/Under-15 Girls (4km, 40 finishers, 29 Under-15)
19. Phoebe Crockford (12th U-15) 17.12
21. Genevieve Weston 17.25
29. Louise Gilbert (19th U-15) 18.45
32. Rachel Finke (22nd U-15) 19.24

Senior Women (6km, 162 finishers)
6. Clare Miller 26.12
7. Rebecca Piggott 26.24
11. Sue Rust (1st Vet) 26.58
22. Rachel Newstead 27.51
29. Celine Murray 28.27
31. Cathy Jeremiah 28.39
39. Rachel Seckl 29.02
41. Jane Higgins 29.05
43. Colette Monahan 29.18
49. Stephanie Robson 29.29
52. Eilidh Wagstaff 29.35
57. Angela Howe 29.45
62. Joanna Rota 30.02
65. Bridgit Napleton 30.06
70. Jackie Wastell 30.30
87. Fran Norman 31.45
90. Lavinia Singer 32.00
93. Caroline Boyle 32.19
98. Jo Irwin 32.30
102. Kathryn Creaney 32.50
105. Noelle O’Regan 32.55
107. Catherine Doherty 33.04
112. Chloe Alder 33.27
118. Louisa Pointon 33.45
133. Kim Butler 35.10
134. Gabi Johnson 35.17
136. Shelley Fennell 35.28
141. Michelle Griffiths 35.56
146. Alison Harrow 37.42
153. Helene Kehoe 39.09
154. Laura Boothman 39.47

Senior Men (8km, 377 finishers)
24. Tom Aldred 26.35
50. Andrew Brooker 27.57
62. Ryan McCrickerd 28.18
64. George Stewart 28.23
75. Ed Samuel 28.36
76. Anthony Hall 28.36
79. John Driscoll 28.42
85. Andy Barnes 28.56
87. Matt Collins 29.01
97. Andy Welshman 29.26
99. Mark Anderson 29.27
102. Tom Livermore 29.29
103. Jonathan Hopkin 29.29
105. Chris Hartley 29.32
109. Steve Armstrong 29.39
114. Richard Macaulay 29.45
116. Sergio Di Noto 29.50
125. Alan Whatmough 30.03
129. Sam Thompson 30.09
135. Paul Mercer 30.16
141. Stuart Meiklejohn 30.20
145. Adam Mitchell 30.30
159. Gavin Evans 30.50
169. Dan McKeown 31.10
176. Adam Ibrahim 31.20
185. Dominic Jackson 31.36
186. Paul Lemmon 31.36
193. Norman Mitchell 31.48
194. Costi Stavrianakis 31.49
201. Kris Milovsorov 31.57
205. Jacob Howe 32.07
208. Rick Hewitt 32.13
211. Joe McKeown 32.16
213. Alan Latham 32.17
214. Gareth Marshall 32.17
215. Jonathan Litchfield 32.19
216. Tim Marshall 32.20
220. Lee Connor 32.32
224. Tom Griffiths 32.40
226. Phil Hogg 32.43
230. Rob Shulman 32.51
234. Brett Patterson 32.54
237. Pete Crockford 32.59
248. Tom Ashby 33.22
256. Michael Cockings 33.31
262. James Dark 33.42
264. Mark George 33.45
266. Andrew Johnson 33.45
268. William Wagstaff 33.49
277. James Felstead 34.12
287. Elliott Reed 34.34
289. Doug Rendle 34.37
290. Brian Boyle 34.43
291. Gavin Parrish 34.44
316. Hassan Nahal 36.07
318. Andrew Hudson 36.11
320. Chip Hamer 36.18
326. Russell Weston 36.31
331. Alun Nash 37.24
344. Nik Skipper 38.54
352. Ken Townson 39.52

(And after all that Chris did also express his apologies for any errors and omissions ... ).