A fine performance from a strong Belles team repeated their convincing win of the previous year, this time the course was run in freezing conditions at Wellesley Wood, Aldershot.

The team have a very fine record in this event over the last ten or so years winning six times since 2013. What with the cold weather, a race just a week before Christmas that was well outside London, the Belles should be given great credit for not only their achievement, but for actually getting to the race, having overcome train strikes and a car that would not start to get there. 

The Belles were led home by Naomi Lenane who won a well-deserved bronze medal. Although she is a strong cross-country runner, Naomi really specialises in middle-distance track races and found the thought of racing seven and a half miles daunting. However, she started sensibly and despite finding the last lap tough, held on well for her medal.

Just a couple of places further back in 5th , Olivia Papaioannou had her best cross-country race of the season. Buoyed by her recent 1:22 half marathon (which qualifies her for the London Marathon in April) , she really rediscovered her confidence and ran an excellent race.

Then, close behind in 6th, Natalie Beadle, who is having her best cross-country season ever. Having run for Surrey in the Inter-Counties the previous week, Natalie had been rather reluctant to do yet another race. Luckily for the team she changed her mind and ran a blinder. 

To complete this small Belle's procession in 7th came Sarah Ricemen. New Zealander Sarah just gets better and better with every race, and she just loves racing. Sarah told me she used to train with Mark Anderson with her club back home in Wellington. Mark was a member of the same training group back in the 1990's. 

A small gap before the next Belle's train. Another who loves and specialises in cross country, Mimi Corden-Lloyd in 13th, then Sarah Dewhirst completing the scoring six in 15th,  just ahead of the ever-smiling Laurel Bray in 16th. This was Sarah's first ever cross-country medal, so deserved and a wonderful Birthday/Christmas present. Laurel was very unlucky to lose out, but the team is so fortunate to have such a strong engine room with runners like Laurel backing them up. 

Special credit to David Walsh, who was magnificent in his role as the Belles’ stand-in team manager, photographer and mini cab driver.

TEAMS. 1.Belgrave Harriers 50, 2. Herne Hill Harriers 116. 

INDIVIDUAL. 1. G. Bruinvels (AFD), 2. C. Carter (THH), 3. N. Lenane (Belgrave Harrers).

Injury-ravaged Bels see the year out

A depleted team of 4 Bels finished at Aldershot. Supported by volunteers, as always, that made the process much easier. Thanks to Arne Dumez for entering the team and Dave Walsh for support on the day. Thanks to Charlie for doing the same on the women's side and a belated thanks to Luke Pratt for his unwavering and inspiring support at the first SOT fixture.

Now completely distancing himself from the chasing pack in terms of performance, Jonny Neville led the team home at this race. With the superb pacing that he is know for, Jonny made his way through the field in the early stages and held fast for an impressive 19th. This is after illness and a interrupted week of training, Jonny's improvement this year has proof that you can break through at anytime. Jonny has many years now to maintain this level at seniors before he is released onto the masters circuit.

Jonny was followed, as he was in Croydon, by Fin Dyer in 23rd. Fin went out hard (nabbing himself a feature in the athletics weekly article about the event) and held on valiantly over this longer distance. Fin was disappointed after the race but showed some real fitness in maintaining his position in the tough final lap.

De ja vu, Fin and Jonny were followed by Conall McNally in 24th who thought his increased milage may give him the fitness to compete with the front 2 over this longer distance. This proved not to be the case, despite the standings looking close, Conall came in a distance behind Fin and Jonny.

This has already been a long season for Conall, if his running success became as frequent as his talking in the third person the southern running scene would be in trouble. Conall was lead out in the early stages by James Preston who unfortunately was forced to pull out early through injury.

The last finisher was Wills Goldie, who battled bravely to a 43rd place finish. Wills is quickly becoming an established member of the Belgrave engine room and will be invaluable in the larger team competitions to come in the future. 

The longer races are on the horizon this season and grit over this distance cannot be over-rated. We're moving more into the territory of Jonny Neville as the distances get longer, be prepared!