Belles retain Surrey League title
Belgrave Harriers’ women’s team made it three Surrey League cross country titles in the last four years, while the men recorded their best points finish since 2022.
Belles continue era of dominance
Words by Charlie Dickinson
The 'A' team were beaten in the final race of four by just one point by Herne Hill. But they easily did enough to retain the overall Championship after four matches by 67 points over the same club. The Belles 'B' team finished over 400 points ahead of Herne Hill to win that competition for the fourth successive year. 37 members have competed in at least one Surrey League race this season which demonstrates the strength in depth of this women's team.
It was a cold day on Epsom Downs, the drizzly rain never stopped, but at least there was little wind. The course is a mixture of undulating grassland and gravelly paths.
The team were led home by Juliet Hodder with a terrific run in second place. She timed her finish on the final downhill section to perfection, cruising past the Herne Hill runner. Juliet finished third in the overall league standings in her first season with the club. Next, another fine run from the in-form Ella Fennelly in fifth. Unfortunately Ella slipped in the final run in when she was just about to overtake the runner ahead of her.
Abbey Brooke moved to London in January and joined the club second claim. She is a very strong cross-country runner finishing in eighth place, but rules of the league mean she is unable to score until next season when she will be a huge asset to the team. Emily Bradley came in next just one place further back in ninth continuing her excellent season. She was followed by the ever reliable Kristina Popadich in 12th.
So, with five to score and Abbey unable to count, the 'A' team needed one more to complete the team. It was Karen Xiang who just got ahead of ever improving Lucy Peters, both in the 20's.
Then followed Meg Ellison, another improving with every race in 31st, quickly followed by Lara Mangan in 35th, Olivia Lucas - now injury free and quickly getting back to previous form in 41st - and finally, to complete the 'B's, Emily Goff in her first cross-country race of the season, admitting that she, 'actually enjoyed it'!
Emily led a Belgrave train with Laura Goodson, Alex Gandee, and Sam Munday all in the fifties, followed by Sarah Ricemen and Lois Kasperkowicz in the sixties. Although they didn't score, these team members all helped by pushing back the scorers from other clubs. They all finished ahead of the final Herne Hill 'B' team runner, and if there had been 'C' teams they would have finished 3rd out of the 15 teams.
Finally, it was brilliant to see Laura Shrimpton, in the middle of London Marathon mileage, supporting the club and doing a great deal more than just 'jogging round'. 205 finished the race.
Special thanks to Emily Robbins and Ella-May Hards for coming to support the team on a cold wet day, and especially to Don Anderson for taking away the two wet tents in his van.
TEAM RESULTS.
1. HHH 49, 2. Belgrave 50, 3. Stragglers 105.
OVERALL AFTER 4 MATCHES.
'A' Teams; 1. Belgrave 186, 2. HHH 218, 3. TTH 405. Belles 'A' win by 67 points.
'B' Teams; 1. Belgrave 546, 2. HHH 964. Belles 'B' win by 418 points
Full results available here
Bels defend ‘B’ title
Words by Alex Janiaud
The Bels have been locked in an epic dogfight at the top of the Surrey League for some years now with local rivals Hercules Wimbledon. The boys finished second again this year, but getting the biggest points haul since 2002 and holding onto the ‘B’ title demonstrates pleasing progress for the team.
The Bels won the last race of the competition in Epsom Downs, edging out the eventual league winners and Herne Hill. Samuel Gebreselassie and James Hancock finished in the top 10 - sixth and eighth respectively - while Phil Wicks, Max Heyden, Henry Hart and Mack Downey all placed in the top 20.
It was a challenging day for Andy Fyfe, who having led the individual ‘golden spike’ competition throughout the season slipped to third in the rankings behind Guildford’s John Sanderson and teammate Samuel, the Scot finishing 22nd. Regardless, Andy has had an outstanding Surrey League campaign, winning the first race of the season outright, and we look forward to seeing him don the claret and gold soon. Samuel, Andy and James finished second, third and fourth in the individual competition.
This team has grown and bonded over the past couple of years, and we look forward to seeing what the boys can do in the road relays season. Congratulations to everyone who represented the club in the Surrey League, and chapeau to Hercules for winning another title.
Full results available here.