Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies

There was euphoria in the Woodford camp on Saturday afternoon as the senior women’s team captured their first-ever South of England CC title, and both the senior men and U20 men were represented on the podium with team bronzes. Jessica Sparke’s dominant individual victory in the senior race, to retain the trophy that twin sister Kat won last year, was the icing on a rich cake.

Results

Dave Barrett's photos (look out for the one of Lotfi and Craig tucked in behind Jon Pepper (2nd) and Darren Deed (4th))

Photos by Les Cornwell

With few competition opportunities since December, the South of England Championships marked a welcome return to racing for our young athletes. The cold, overnight snap meant that the early races had to negotiate frozen ground with the risk of turning an ankle ever present for the competitors. Runners in the later races experienced the traditional nature of Parliament Hill; plenty of cloying, boggy ground and sloppy mud.

Pride of the young athlete results must go to the U20 Men, who won a bronze team medal with defending champion, Ronnie Sparke this year just out of the individual medals in 4th place, 22 seconds adrift of winner Daniel Clorley (Luton AC). It was a fine performance from Ronnie, this being his comeback race after missing six months through injury.