Belles take excellent fourth at Nationals; Bels place tenth
The Belles team matched their best ever position in the National Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill, finishing in fourth place. The Bels, meanwhile, finished a credible 10th.
Bradley wins Ladies Plate
Words by Charlie Dickinson, photos by Graham Smith
There was a tremendous turnout of nineteen women who started the race, setting a record attendance from the women’s team for the event.
It was a warm sunny afternoon for the race, but rain in the week before had produced the all too familiar Parly Hill condition, described by Belgrave President Terry O'Neill as a quagmire.
Emily Bradley had an excellent race, her best of a very good season and she said she almost enjoying the muddy conditions. She finished in 31st place, and this result means she won the prestigious Ladies Plate for the very first time. Also in the top 50, but perhaps not enjoying the conditions so much, was Nadine Donegan, who came 49th.
Then came Mimi Corden-LLoyd, captain and also Team Manager for the day, leading by example. She finished just behind Nadine in 55th place. In the last twelve months, Mimi has improved her times for every distance on the road and track, and here produced easily her best ever cross-country performance with an outstanding run.
Kristina Popadich, always an extremely reliable member of the team, closed for the scoring four in 61st, not too far away from those elusive National medals, but nevertheless a very pleasing result.
Two years ago, after the National at Chester Natalie Beadle, who runs fell races as well as cross-country, remarked that the course wasn't tough enough. Now thankfully back to full health and fitness, she had no complaints here. Her terrific run in 69th just shows how the team has missed her this season. Then, just slipping under the top one hundred in 98th, came Lucy Peters with another excellent run having improved all season.
The next three, Karen Xiang, Lara Mangan and Ella-May Hards all finished very close together in 112th, 117th and 119th. Lara's result wins her the Belles 'B' Team Plate. Then, all within the top two hundred, placed Laura Trask 155th, Alex Gandee 167th, Sarah Riceman 169th and Meg Ellison 187th.
Experiencing the National for the very first time, Lucy Austin finished 290th, Sara Ridmy 314th, Lauren Liversidge 327th and finally Chloe Mangan in 377th. Before the race, a couple of them were worried that they might come last. There was a total of 830 finishers, so they were all well within the top half of the field, nowhere near last!
Three other second claim members who all train with the group also ran for their first claim clubs. Abbey Brooke came 41st, Grace Knapp 148th and it was lovely to see Sophie Cowper racing again, who was 162nd. Sam Munday and Olivia Lucas both had the courage to start the race despite feeling unwell the week before. Unfortunately, the conditions just proved too tough for them to finish
Finally, a word of thanks to Don Anderson who brought the two tents in his van and when he got home, hosed everything down with his jetwash.
TEAM RESULTS.
Leeds 89, 2. AFD 93, 3. THH 161, 4. Belgrave 196. 5. Tonbridge 286. 82 teams completed the race.
Under-strength Bels battle to tenth Parliament Hill mud
Words by Alex Janiaud
Belgrave sent a solid 22-man squad to Parliament Hill that delivered a respectable 10th place in the team standings.
James Hancock rounded off a superb cross country season with a 64th place finish - securing the Winter Plate in the process - followed home by Fin Dyer in 86th. Our remaining scorers were Jonny Neville (102), Eddie Jodrell (132), Larry Ryan (143) and Louis Clarke (183).
Thus ends a cross country season for the boys that has been characterised by strong turnout and building team spirit. We’re excited to see how the boys fare in the road relays and track events over the next few months.
Full results are available here