Ladies 3 Stage Cross Country Relay, Priory Park, Reigate, November 5th 2016

Author:  Charlie Dickinson

What a wonderful day. Although the 'A' team came first, just as importantly they were supported by two other complete Belles teams who finished in 5th and 14th out of a total of 43 who finished the race.

Our 'A' team have now won this competition every year since returning in 2014 after a gap of several years. Interestingly, eight different runners have been members of the three winning teams, the word gets round.  Many consider this to be the most enjoyable event of the whole cross country season.

Brilliantly organised and marshalled on a testing and spectator friendly tough cross country course, immediate results, all in the beautiful setting of the Priory Park with the backdrop of hills and Autumn colours. What more could you ask for?

With men and women starting together, there was the need for sensible cool heads on the first leg. There is no one more sensible than Sam who led the A team but was pitted against the strongest runners of the day from Crawley and Epsom who both front loaded their teams. Helen, who had been under the weather all week and Fiona both tackled the initial hill with caution and gave their teams the ideal start.

Becky, fresh from an outstanding relay leg at the Scrubs and a PB for 10km in the last two weeks was a little nervous about taking over from Sammi in third place. 'I hope they don't all come past me'. She needn't have worried, it wasn't long before she overtook the two leading teams handing over with a commanding lead.  Sally, with a year of injury then breathing problems thankfully behind her, ran a terrific second leg for the B team producing the 8th fastest individual time of the day out of 122 runners. Megan was her usual solid dependable self for the C team.

So it was left to Zoe, like last year to bring the honours home for A team, not easy running a solo time trial, but she ran a terrific last leg exactly equalling Sam's time for the third fastest of the day. Rose ignored a twisted ankle out on the course to finish very strongly bringing the B team home in an excellent 5th. Finally, out track superstar Jodie completed the C team, the 2.5 miles a little further than the 400m she is used to.

Finally, a thank you to the Belgrave supporters; President Bill Laws, Alan Black, Jojo Rhodes hopefully soon back in the team, the Smith and Albrow families and last but not least the men's team, all gave wonderful encouragement.

Results;

1. Belgrave A 48.19, (S. Amend 15.46, R. O'Kill 16.47, Z Smith 15.46) 2. Crawley 48.57, 3. Reigate Priory 51.51,... 5. Belgrave B 52.45, (H. White 18.00, S. Underhill 16.43, R. O'Brien 18.02) 14. BelgraveC 56.48, (F. Maddocks 18.23, M. Bailey 18.48, J. Albrow 19.37).

Fastest Individual legs.

1. H. Brooks (Crawley),  15.11,  2. I. Brinston (Epsom and Ewell), 15.27,

3. S.Amend and Z Smith (Belgrave) 15.46. 8. S Underhill 16.43, 9. R. O'Kill 16.47