Belles overcome injuries to take bronze at London Cross Country Championships

Injury and illness meant a much-reduced team of just five athletes took part in the London Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill. However, they all ran very well and the scoring team were rewarded with bronze team medals.

Unusually, the course was grassy and firm, without the notorious Parliament Hill mud. But the undulating course is still very tough with hardly any flat sections, and the benign conditions meant a fast pace.  Although overcast, the weather was fairly warm and dry. 

Juliet Hodder was up with the leaders in the early stages and was lying third at the end of the first lap. She had run here in the mud as a junior for her Northern club some years before, and swore never to run cross-country ever again! But, she teaches PE at her school in Dulwich and was at the venue in the morning with some of her pupils along with several of the Belgrave youngsters competing for their London Boroughs. Thankfully she agreed to take part!

Emily Bradley made a more cautious start, but she is in great form this year and used her strength to move through the field and past Juliet on the second lap. They finished almost together in 4th and 5th, tantalisingly close to an individual bronze, excellent runs by both.

Samantha Munday, Ella-May Hards and Lydia Gallyer-Barnett were in sight of each other throughout the race. They do all really prefer the longer races with tougher conditions, but supported our leading two brilliantly finishing in 23rd, 26th and 30th place. This yet again demonstrates the tremendous strength in depth this team has; there were over 200 runners competing in the race. Lydia finished over twenty placed higher than in the same race a year ago.

So, another very good day for the Belles and more medals to add to their collection.

Lydia Gallyer-Barnett, Juliet Hodder, Ella-May Hards, Emily Bradley, Samantha Munday