The Belgrave Harriers women’s team took silver at the Southern Cross Country Relays, improving upon last year’s bronze medal. The men’s ‘A’ team, meanwhile, secured a solid sixth position.

Belles add to silverware haul

Words by Charlie Dickinson

It was another successful day for the Belles in the South of England 3-Stage Cross-Country relay at Wormwood Scrubs. Four teams completed the race finishing 2nd, 6th, 9th and 16th out of the 32 teams that finished. A very strong 'A' team were beaten by a mere 23 seconds by a Herne Hill team that had won the National road relay just two weeks before. They were almost two minutes clear of third placed TVH. 

Often not supported by several Southern teams, this event has nevertheless long been a favourite for the Belles. The 3km fairly flat course proves attractive to middle distance athletes as well as cross-country specialists. Fielding four teams is again testament to the current strength in depth of this team. 

Although a blustery day, the early morning rain ceased by midday to leave warm sunshine in the afternoon for the senior races. Imogen Wolsey gave the Belles the best possible start by leading the race at the end of the first lap. She had taken the lead going into the woods and managed to hold off a very strong Herne Hill challenge right to the line. Her time later proved to be the second fastest of the day.

Only three weeks after her terrific Berlin marathon performance, and perhaps still feeling it in her legs, Emily Robbins took over on the second leg. Although the Herne Hill runner got away from her by about 30 metres, Emily charged her down over the last 200m to almost catch her at the changeover.  

Ella Fennelly had the unenviable task of racing the very fast Lucy Jones over the final leg. She hung on very bravely giving it her upmost, but in the end the Belles missed out gold by just 23 seconds. Their finishing time would have won this race in the majority of past years. 

It was wonderful to see Orna McGinley racing for the first time since the summer. She gave the 'B' team a very good start with a 6th placed finish. Promising new member Molly Canham took over with an almost identical time to Orna's, moving the team up one place with an excellent run. Alex Gandee ran well despite a nagging knee injury to bring the team home in an excellent 6th position.

The 'C' team was led off by Lydia Gallyer-Barnett who loves running in this event. So does Ella-May Hards who took over on the second leg. Then finally Olivia Lucas, slowly getting back to her best form after long term injuries brought the team home in 9th. Another outstanding team performance with three really fine runs.

And still the Belles kept coming, Lauren Liversidge taking the first leg for the 'D' team after a good initial outing in the league race the week before. Sian Seccombe took over in her first race for the club, both recording very similar time just over 12 minutes. Then finally, Marianna Patat was back in the team after a summer touring Europe brought their team home in 16th place. Only local club TVH had more teams on the day.

RESULTS

1. HHH 30:30,  2. Belgrave 'A'  30:53 (I. Wolsey 10:07, E. Robbins 10:24, E. Fennelly 10:22),  3. TVH 32:35, ...  6. Belgrave 'B'  33:39,

   (O. McGinley 11:03, M. Canham 11:04, A. Gandee 11:31), ... 9. Belgrave 'C' 34:29, (L. Gallyer-Barnett 11:32, E-M. Hards 11:39, O. Lucas 11:17), ... 16. Belgrave 'D' 37:09, (L. Liversidge 12:09, S. Seccombe 12:08, M. Patat 12:50).

Bels improve on last season

Words by Alex Janiaud

While many of our bigger guns opted for a deserved weekend of training and recovery after the previous week’s Surrey League exertions, the boys still summoned (nearly) three full teams for this year’s relays.

A good day was had. After cheering on our women’s team to yet more success, Conall Whelan, Alex Janiaud and Conall McNally led our men’s teams in the opening round of four 4km legs. Whelan was undoubtedly our star of the day, being the only man to dip below 14 minutes.

Young Eddie Jodrell has risen up through the ranks and deserves a shout for his excellent final leg in the ‘A’ team. Our boys finished sixth and tenth respectively (our ‘C’ team lacked a fourth runner), marking a strong improvement on last year’s ‘A’ team, which placed 12th.

Congratulations to all who turned out for the club. We reconvene on November 2 for the National Cross Country Relays in Mansfield.

Full results are available here. Photos below by Daniel Moses.