The Belles bash out another bangerAuthor: Scott MillsThe National Cross-Country Championships are often the climax of the winter season and as the event returned to Parliament Hill for the first time in three years, it was very encouraging to see the Belles out in force.After a very promising season, the Belles had nearly doubled their numbers from four the previous year to seven - a credit to team manager Charlie Dickinson and the thriving Battersea training group.Although Charlie claimed to have been at the course early to help set up the club tent, rumours have also gone around that he may have been doing some course reconnaissance to prepare some last-minute inspiration to the team before they toed to the start line.Barely had the gun barked that the Belles started tussling and charging towards the infamous hill whilst the club’s supporters followed suit trying to catch a glimpse of the athletes. Unfortunately, those extra miles won’t be logged on Strava!Charging head-first into the race, the hard-working Sophie Harris had already showed her determination and grit to achieve the amazing ‘Grand Slam’ of winning all four Surrey League Cross-Country fixtures, so she looked poised for another great run. Battling through the swamp-like conditions and the rolling hills alongside some of the best in the country, Sophie looked to bide her time before ceasing the opportunity to work her way through the front runners. She was cheered on wildly down the home straight and recorded yet another fantastic finish in 29th place as she continues to progress fantastically in what has been just over a year since she started competing.Following Sophie was an incredible debut for the club from Georgie Fenn who cruised through the field nicely baring a constant smile on her face each time she breezed past a fellow competitor. Thriving on a few elbow tussles early on, Fenn managed to cross the line in a very impressive 56th place. She had shown her potential time and time again during Charlie's training sessions and it was no surprise to see it materialised here.The Belles were looking very imposing on this particularly tough course, as Jess Reed was also running strongly and consistently around Hampstead Heath before accelerating down the hill to reach thefinishing line in the top 200.The support from the Belgrave fan club remained vocal throughout but even during the race Matt Welsh found time to follow in the footsteps of idol Gok Wan by commenting on some questionable attire from some of the male runners warming up by the course.Jojo Rhodes also ran another great race as she stormed around the course continuing to work towards getting back to her best. She was the fourth Belle home and happy to be done with the mud. Nobody would have disagreed with her there...Having raced as one of the Belles’ four runners in the 2017 Nationals, Lizzie Goldie-Scot ran very strongly to pick off runners ahead of her, as did Felicity Cole who - like Jojo - ran a particularly strong second lap to finish closely behind.Mhairi McDonald sped around Parliament Hill in order to be able to make it back in time to catch her beloved Scotland thrash England at Murrayfield. Questionable motive at the English championships, but we can't argue with her performance.Speaking of Scottish thrashers, the team felt a painful absence in the shape of Mhairi Hall. As one of our most reliable scorers she would have done some damage in the claret and gold.As a very successful cross-country season comes to its end and the Belles continue to go from strength to strength across the team, they now turn their attention to the road season which begins in Milton Keynes for the Southern road relays in March.1. Phoebe Law (Kingston AC and Polytechnic Harriers) 28:33, 2. Louise Small (AldershotFarnham & District) 28:54, 3. Iona Lake (City of Norwich AC) 29:0529 . Sophie Harris 30:49, 56. Georgie Fenn 32:03, 189. Jess Reed 35:28, 285. Jojo Rhodes 37:12, 309.Lizzie Goldie-Scot 37:34, 327. Felicity Cole 37:57, 659. Mhairi McDonald 43:011. Sale Harriers Manchester 76, 2. Cambridge & Coleridge 85, 3. Leeds City AC 91….18. BelgraveHarriers 559