SEAA Women's Cross-country championships, Stanmer Park, Brighton, 24 January 2015
Triple Shots of Southern Silver
An incredible day for Belgrave saw the Belles edge ever closer to the crown, and the Men medal for the first time since 1971.
Where to start?! In Chas’s case at about 6am before slogging down with the tent in the van and hoisting it up alone. We felt that 8 degrees or over would render the tent surplus, but at a frigid 5’ish we’re so glad he made the effort, providing much needed warmth and shelter from a wicked wind, on an otherwise glorious day.As the runners trickled in from as far afield as Glasgow we held our breath that no other losses would come our way after the gutting one of Wicksy, who so excelled here three years ago. PW’s virus took down poor Emily too which meant that a likely AFD win morphed into a dnf, and Emelia Gorecka’s heralded 8-wins in a row at this event ended as she finally hit the seniors.
Our women's team was strong, but we knew we had some making up to do from last year. Well, Mel and Zoe have come on a lot, and the course suits Sam much more than a Parla Hill Bog. Of the 14 runners entered, just 5 started due to the SEAA’s draconian entry deadline which means the TM’s are playing pin the tail on the donkey of who to enter. We were less profligate than my wife at least, who splurged on 12 Saltires, of whom 2 ran. But our big guns never wavered, and we even had the luxury of giving the Maycock Massive a rare pass from six hours on the road. It was Fee who formed the spine of this Southern medal spree with the amazing smash-and-grab of three years ago.With skip HBR leading the cheerleading squad, and how wonderful to see so many of them out (O’Brien, Basford, Dilley, Laws, Whiting, Brown, Mrs Bundle and newborn to name but a few), our day was set to fire. We were treated to the initial sight of Mel showing the field the way up the brutal first climb. “She won’t know who she is,” said a pea-green Matt of Mel towing Louise Damen, one of the finest English cross-country runners of the last 20 years.Five minutes later and Damen was thrashing away alone, in similar form to the Sunderland National which she won by an even minute. And those of good recall will remember when Birhan won the National for us back in 2004, that it was Damen who pushed her all the way. After Louise, the ever impressive Bruinvels stole a march on a group which contained Mel for the entire way. Top 6 was what we wanted and she nailed it dead centre, leaving Ansell and Munn who have been tormenting her all winter, behind. Mel is such a gem of a find, and the club passes its warmest congrats to her.
As for our back-up, both Sam and Zoe ran near perfect races, with Sam only a few pips down on 2012’s zinger and Zoe up nine on last year. She’d have loved a few spots more, but fireworks are not really her thing, as she recognizes her place in the squad as our ‘go to banker’, there to hold the ship steady in the turbulence all around.Speaking of turbulence, our anchors Jojo and Keri were in big trouble. Surely both on for top 50 returns, JJR was under the weather and just willing Kez to come on by as soon as she lit the after-burners as in the Surrey League. But it ain’t that simple. Visually-challenged at the best of time, add in a blinding sun, a steep slope and a very slick sharp corner and Keri had a wipe-out and lost a shoe into the bargain. Hapless stuff, but she was straight back up to keep Jojo honest the whole race. Great teamwork by the Tamworth Two (so called because of their defiance in adversity, not appearance), and they gave everything they had.
So, 16 points off gold last year, and only 14 off this year. Disappointed? No – nothing more we could have done, and Winchester (who also won in 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008) were superb, especially when you consider their ages of 32, 48 [the ever regal Lucy Elliott, who won by a minute nine years ago], 46 and 47. We are happy with a run of 3rd, 6th, 2nd & 2nd in this race, just easing clear of the amazing battle for bronze, and avenging TVH for the Scrubs.1 L Damen (Winc) 29:22; 2 G Bruinvels (AFD) 30:15; 3 E Macready (Worthing) 30:46; 6 M Wilkins 31:01; 19 S Amend 31:57; 30 Z Doyle 32:38; 61 J Rhodes 34:26; 67 K Mackenzie 34:44. 352 finished.1 Winchester & D 102; 2 Belgrave H 116; 3 Thames Valley H 133; 4 Herne Hill H 133; 5 Serpentine R 191; 6 Windsor 202. 41 teams closed in.