REIGATE PRIORY 3 STAGE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY RELAY, 4TH NOVEMBER
ANOTHER GOOD DAY FOR THE BELLE'S, THREE COMPLETE TEAMS AND SILVER MEDALS AT THE PRIORY.
Author: Charlie Dickinson
The Priory Relays have become one of the club's favorite events over the past few years. Set in the beautiful location of the Priory Park with the backdrop of the trees on the hill with their golden Autumn leaves, the shortish but challenging course always offers the chance of medals for our team. In fact, the Belles had won here the last three years.
Start of the race with Saron taking the lead for the females
Three Belle's teams completed the race. On the first stage starting together with the men's race, Saron Haileselase immediately went ahead of all the other women mixing it with the leading men. Saron is now getting stronger with every race, tackling the hills with confidence and beginning to show her full potential. She finished a long way clear of the second team with the overall second fastest time of the afternoon. The B team was led off by Mhairi Hall who joined the group last Summer and gets stronger with every race. She ran a very good time trial in the week and complimented this with her best race so far. Megan James kicked off for the C team finished strongly as usual and brought the team home well up in the strong field.
Katie-Ellen French took over from Saron for the A team and although as a specialist track athlete struggled with the mud and hills, she did maintain the team's position and justified her selection. For the B team, another very keen new recruit, Maddy Shott ran the second leg, enjoyed her first experience at this level, and ran very well. It was unusual to see Jojo Rhodes running for the C team but she has been battling with an ankle injury for what seems like ages and is still short of training. This was a very encouraging run from Jojo and we are bound to see her back at her best in the New Year.
L:R Charlie, Saron, Maddy, Carl, Mhari, Katie-Ellen, Megan, Mhari D, Sam, (Simon) Lizzie, Rose, JoJo, Andy, Nick, Aiden, Robert
RESULTS;
1.Epsom and Ewell; 48.53, 2. Belgrave A; 49.26, (Saron Haileselase 15.29, Katie-Ellen French 17.22, Samantha Amend 16.35) 3. Guildford and Godalming, 50.39; .... 7. Belgrave B; 53.40, (Mhairi Hall 17.37, Maddy Shott 17.52, Rose O'Brien 18.11), ... 12. Belgrave C; 57.45, (Megan James 18.30, Jojo Rhodes 18.05, Mhairi McDonald 21.11).
1. Isobel Brinsden, (E & E), 15.20, 2. Saron Haileselase, (Belgrave Harriers) 15.29, Fiona Clark, (Reigate Priory) 16.04.Here are the Belle's results from recent years;2013 1st; 51.12. (Rose O'Brien 17.35, Catherine Lovegrove 17.13, Keri MacKenzie 16.35).2014 1st; 51.43. (Lizzie Goldie-Scott 18.25, Jojo Rhodes 16.46, Zoe Smith 16.32).2015 1st; 48.19. (Sam Amend 15.46, Becky O'Kill 16.47, Zoe Smith 15.46).