The Belles showed their strength in depth with three teams finishing 3rd, 7th and 11th out of the 32 teams who finished the three stages. Grace Richardson ran the fifth fastest leg of the day and Olivia Papaioannou the 7th.

This event has been popular with the Belles over the last decade and the team has often won medals. Surprisingly, several southern clubs don't seem to participate which results in fields smaller than, for example, the SEAA road relays. The mostly flat grassland course over 3km appeals to both cross country specialists and track runners. On Saturday the heavy rain in the past week made the going soft but not muddy.

On the first leg, the London Heathside athlete shot into the lead and eventually finished over half a minute clear. Olivia Papaioannou ran a strong leg despite getting a little isolated half way around the course. She was then just caught by two runners at the finish. Laura Goodson ran very well for the Belles B team, bringing them back in 14th place. Lydia Gallyer-Barnett also ran strongly finishing her leg just three places further back.

Jess Saunders took over on the second leg for the A team bringing the team up to 4th place although by that time the two leading clubs had pulled away. Jess has recovered well after her excellent marathon only three weeks previously.

Laurel Bray gained five places with a strong leg for the B team, thoroughly enjoying her race. Likewise Sarah Dewhirst gained two places for the C team. Sarah has been a wonderful team player since her move to south London.

With former National cross country champion Pippa Woolven on the last leg for Wycombe, a win was out of the question and London Heathside were also a long way ahead. But could Grace Richardson for the Belles A-team catch the TVH runner and earn the team a medal? Grace's mother, father and two of her three sisters were there to support her and the team. How lovely to meet them all, a true running family. Of course Grace caught the third placed runner and the team were delighted with their bronze medals.

Natalie Beadle, fresh from a fell race in the Lake District pulled up another two places so the B team finished an excellent 7th, just one place behind the Herne Hill A team. Emily Bannister, another new and crucial engine room member of the team also gained places, finishing 11th out of no less than 32 teams who finished the three stages.

All in all, another very satisfying day for the Belles.

Results

TEAMS: 1. Wycombe P. 32:24, 2. London H. 32:36, 3. Belgrave H 'A' 33:34, ( O.Papaioannou 11:03, J. Saunders 11:34, G. Richardson 10:57) 7. Belgrave H. 'B' 35:11, (L. Goodson 11:38, L. Bray 11:41, N. Beadle 11:51), 11. Belgrave H. 'C' 36:51, (L. Gallyer-Barnett 11:56, S. Dewhurst 12:25, E. Bannister 12:30).

FASTEST: 1. P. Woolven Wycombe P. 10:14, 2. B. Hawling London H. 10:15, 3. A. Mundell TVH, 10:39.