More medals for Belles

Scroll down for men’s report

A very good day for the Belles, writes Charlie Dickinson.

It was an unexpectedly good day at the Surrey Road Relay. Pre-race hopes were for a medal of some sort, but not only did the As win gold, but a terrific run from Orna McGinley on the last leg moved the 'B' team up to take the bronze.

On the first leg, the teams were led home by a very fast leg by Ruby Woolfe of Thames Hare and Hounds in 16:04, the fastest of the day by a long way. Lizzie Goldie-Scot brought the 'A' team in third behind Hercules Wimbledon with a very solid run. Lizzie, now injury free at last, has had a very good year and is back to her best. Fiona Maddocks finished less than 30 seconds behind Lizzie with an excellent run and the 'B' team were 5th.

Liv Papaioannou, slowly getting back to full fitness after her horrible fall in the early summer, ran a very similar time to Lizzie. The team was still third, now ahead of H/W but behind South London Harriers and Liv had closed to within 30 seconds of the leaders THH. A very encouraging run from Mhairi Hall maintained the 'B' team's position in 5th.

The Belles’ Surrey born second claim team member Sophie Cowper is always a great addition to the team in Surrey County and League races. Again, she didn't disappoint, overtaking the leading two teams before they had even got to the hill opposite the All-England tennis club and finishing a minute and a half clear of second place Herne Hill. The 'B' team moved up a place too on the third leg with another very good run this time by Mimi Corden-Lloyd. All three of the B's had run very similar times and they were now lying 4th.

Beth Brown was rather nervous having to run last leg: she had done the same the previous year when she had struggled round feeling very unwell. This year there was no such problem, with such a long lead she ran very sensibly and brought the 'A' team home first with nearly a minute to spare.

Orna McGinley only came into the team as a late replacement for Laura Goodson who had fallen ill. This was Orna's first race for well over a year, having had an operation on her knee and slowly getting back to fitness. She had an outstanding run - second fastest of all the Belles - and she overtook the SLH runner to take the bronze. The team were absolutely delighted.

Many teams top load with their fastest runners going early. But relays are a long game, and the Belles success was, just like last year, down to their strength in depth. All four of our 'A' team ran in the 17's, and the 'B's in the low 18's or better. A great day, and all eight team members won very well deserved medals.

Women’s results

Bels miss out on bronze by 15s

A sturdy men’s team, albeit without any of its superstars, ran well but just didn’t have quite enough on the day for a medal, writes Alex Janiaud.

Belgrave were represented by two outfits in the men’s race. Fresh from his first sub-16 minute 5km earlier in the week, Jonny Neville led the ‘A’ team from the starting gun and posted 14:40. Recording our second-fastest time of the day, Neville would place the ‘A’ team in its lowest position - sixth - just two seconds behind the next team. An out of form Craig Ruddy set the ‘B’ team on its way in 17:01, keeping the second string within the top 20.

Both teams climbed the order with their second legs. Conall McNally overtook Thames Hares & Hounds and Herne Hill Harriers with a 14:51 leg, putting the ‘A’ team on the podium. Dave Walsh’s Dublin Marathon preparations indicated great things to come next month, the Irishman dragging the ‘B’ outfit up six places into 13th.

The two sides steadied themselves with their third legs. Rob Kelly still had Thursday’s 5k (and a full London marathon block) in his legs, and the gap to second widened, while Luke Pratt - apparently invigorated by his election as Belgrave social secretary just days before - improved the ‘B’ team into 12th place.

Belgrave’s medal hopes faded on the fourth leg. A sub-14 time by reigning Southern XC champ Andy Maud of Guildford - a feat that no Belgrave runner would match in this race - pushed the ‘A’ team into fourth place and 35 seconds outside the podium places, despite a strong 14:54 from Nick Buckle. The ‘B’ side continued its pattern of climbing the order and cutting its times with Ben Ireland, who ran his leg in 16:25.

The fifth leg brought certainty, with Sam Sommerville’s 14:53 all but confirming that the ‘A’ team would finish no lower than fourth, the side now sitting 46 seconds from third. Ben Hurley took the ‘B’ team into the top 10 in 16:20.

Each team saved its fastest legs for last. Steve Gardner battled valiantly to bring bronze home for Belgrave, but a 14:34 result left the ‘A’ team just 15 seconds from third in the final standings. Alex Janiaud overcame a collision with a dogwalker to take the ‘B’ team to ninth place, in 16:09.

This race undoubtedly belonged to the Belles. But there is plenty for the men to be excited about in the weeks ahead. Star athletes will return to lift the team up the results order, while there were plenty of performances at Wimbledon that promise to set a flame under the season for the road and cross country races ahead.