The weather was clearly picking up where it left off as we arrived at at Uxbridge for fixture three in torrential rain. If the weather forecast was to be believed it would be Welwyn in reverse, and we’d end in glorious sunshine.

The third fixture of the Met League has been held here now for the third time. Two laps flat-ish with a sharp rise to a kind of trig point, each lap ending with a river crossing. In prior years this has been a mere trickle. After so much autumn rain this year, it was deep, flowing and as soon became clear for the unsuspecting runner, treacherous.

Whether unable to face a second soaking in a row, or busy shopping for the festive season, fewer athletes were around on Saturday with the women’s soft and slightly soggy field a ‘modest’ 215. Woodford had a team though, with two to spare - so we were happy.

A Team

9 bleary-eyed young athletes found themselves leaving in the dark and the rain on Saturday morning to make the 8:30 meet at Hillyfields, Colchester, to run in the U13/U15 Cross Country Championships. However, our team was in great spirits walking round the course, finding it dry underfoot, albeit a little taken aback with the impressive hill they had to climb.

Golden Boys! L to R: Fabian, Wright, Gormley, Geller (pic: Mark Wright)