Met League race 2: men 2nd, women 3rd
The second Active Training World London Metropolitan Cross Country League was held yesterday at Stevenage. In two highly competitive races, our men finished 2nd, and drop to 2nd in the league. Our women finished 3rd and drop to 3rd in the league. Our men's B team finished 9th in Division 1, and drop to 9th in the table. Our women's B team finished 4th and drop to 4th in Division 2. And our men's C team finished 9th in Division 3 and drop to 6th in the table. Matt Gunby and Georgie-Lou Sales led our teams home.
Men's A team
The strength of the men's race seemed a step up from race 1 at Claybury, as some men become fitter as the season progresses. Anyone whose training had stagnated found themselves lower down. We fielded a relatively weak team, as we did at Claybury but, unlike in race 1, our vulnerability was exploited. Highgate Harriers made no mistake, appearing in strength and taking advantage to win their first Met League race in many years and turn a 54 point deficit into a 41 point lead. It's game on in the title race!
In the men's race Neilson Hall of Herts Phoenix, 8th in the 2012 National CC Champs, hit the front aggressively and led all the way to win by 26 seconds. Our Matt Gunby, 5th at Claybury, was always involved a fine battle for the minor placings. 2nd place eventually went to Shaftesbury's Niall Fleming, a 20 year old 13.58 5000m man. Gunby then lost out to Victoria Park's Paul Martelletti (a 2.16 marathon man) and Highgate's Shaun Dixon, 10th in the Southern Champs last season. Gunby was reasonably satisfied with 5th, but hopes to perform better at the European Trials in Liverpool in a fortnight's time. Shaftesbury closed an impressive 5 in the first 10, but their tail was shallow, and they finished 3rd on the day.
Martyn Cryer had had a tough fortnight, working through the night at times, and his very appearance was in doubt. Always in the low 20s, he produced a strong finish to notch 18th, which he was very happy with. It was wonderful to see Bertie Powell finish 23rd after months of injury trouble and loss of confidence. His resurgence in recent weeks has been delightful to see. It was Powell's 45th consecutive Met League race and 45th consecutive scoring 12 finish!
It was unusual for us to have only 3 men in the top 30 but other clubs, such as Hillingdon and Thames Valley Harriers, came with some fine runners and made the race very competitive. Tom Beedell in 34th is getting over his October marathon and will hope to maintain upward progress. Kevin Murphy (36), James Stockings (40) and Darren Southcott (46) showed similar fitness to Claybury, but Southcott was hindered by a suspect ankle. The same was true of Daniel Bruynooghe (48) - both felt unable to run freely through the wooded section. Harold Wyber (45) found the fast course did not suit his rugged style but will do better over other courses - he relishes the hill at Alexandra Palace, for instance.
Those 9 men were expected to make our A team, but the remaining 3 places were up for grabs. Triathlete Mat Clarkson was opening his season. He was 11th scorer at Trent Park last January and 10th scorer here in 68th, which made him seventh M40. Louis Clark (79) was a few places down on Claybury, but sound nonetheless and it could be his first scoring 12 of many. And the 12th scorer spot went to Tony Russell (91) one of a promising new group - Russell has less than 3 months' running behind him - who have recently joined the club. Russell improved from 106th at Claybury.
In the individual competition, in which there is prize money for the top 7 men across the season, our top men are placed: 3, Matt Gunby; 8, Martyn Cryer; 17, Kevin Murphy; 18, Bertie Powell; 22, James Stockings; 23, Darren Southcott
Results: 1, Highgate 1115; 2, WGEL 1020; 3, Shaftesbury 994
League: 1, Highgate 2222; 2, WGEL 2181; 3, Serpentine 1776
When our reporter asked Team Manager Terry McCarthy whether he was satisfied with his team's performance, he retorted tartly. "Look, the taste of defeat is always bitter. We wouldn't have won 4 titles on the trot if I were a good loser. But I'll go home, kick the cat, and start work on the next race. Winning Met League titles would be no fun if it were easy."
Highgate's runner-manager Ben Pochee rushed off immediately after the race to belatedly attend his wife's birthday party, which news Terry McCarthy immediately texted to Woodie legend Matt Shone, pondering art galleries in town with wife Sophie. "It's natural that some of the lads fall into a sort of soporific torpor after our constant league success of recent years. Highgate are hungrier for the title at the moment," said McCarthy.
Women's A team
A deceptively chill, but calm and still Fairlands Park greeted the girls as they gathered at the cafe yawning, stretching and comparing minor ailments in preparation for stage 2 of their Winter Campaign. But the autumn cobwebs were soon shaken off as the Woodettes made their way over to the start and began limbering up to the reggae beats emanating from the Highgate camp. After an impressive turnout at home fixture Claybury, it was great to see Race Day Captain Evie Serventi's pester power paying off with two complete teams of 12 Woodettes lining up for the gun (or whistle in this case) for the second time this season - and yet more pink spikes (should the Woodettes join forces with Kevin Murphy to champion a kit modification?) Another notably large field overall, I'm guessing another high water mark for Stevenage at 141, up from 122 last year.
Known as a 'track runner's course' the 6k route is a far cry from Claybury's undulations. Two large flat laps of open field with roughly one third of each in wooded, winding trails and a swooping downhill finish. The top girls got a top start at the off with Georgie Sales, supported this time off rather than on the field by resting sister Sidnie, Lauren Stewart, Sara Bird and Kat Gundersen leading the action. As the race panned out, the positions of the Women's first scoring six, though a different complexion than last month, made a familiar shape: 5 in 23; 6 in 45.
Georgie Sales (10), in ever improving form, led the girls home. She was chased closely by Stewart (11), tantalising 3" off a coveted top ten position, and showing anything but fatigue from her long first week in a new job as (in the words of one admiring spectator) she "sailed effortlessly" into the finishing funnel. Behind Lauren by 16" Sara Bird (14) making a welcome return to cross country (and illustrating again the range of top 20 talent in the team) was third scorer. 39" behind Sara, our top Vet Kat Gundersen, fastest Woman over 35 yesterday, and 18th finisher overall - although 3 places and 39 " down on her time here last year - remaining consistent in this strong field, despite feeling distinctly below par only half an hour before the start. Fifth scorer V45 Linda Jackson (23), inspired by her Claybury experience, was delighted to have moved up 19 places as she finds her race fitness. "One race at a time" said the cautious but quietly confident Jackson in a tone that belied her true Gallic grit. Yet more delighted to be back in the scoring, V45 Bernie Pritchett (45) 1.33" behind Jackson, closed the team. "I'm delighted to be in the scoring team again. I'm making my way back," said Pritchett - whose time last year in 18th on this course was 47" faster than Jackson's this year.
So in the end the A girls ended the day down one place in Division 1, overall third behind Shaftesbury, with Serpentine staying on top with an increased lead.
Speaking on behalf of Evie Serventi, Acting Race Day Clipboard Captain Jim Roche said "Another fine performance from the Woodettes. But the Serpies and the Shafties are tough and committed. The green & while girls are still in contention but you're gonna need to put all your strength and depth on the start line for the next three meets. The last two races have shown you've got the numbers, the talent and the range. Now you need to combine them and focus. Eyes on the prize, girls."
Men's B team
Beaten out of a scoring 12 spot by just 1 second was Gareth Cavell in 92nd. He was closing on Russell but just unable to make contact, and finished 3rd M45 two days after his 45th birthday. Tim Ballard's 98th was identical to Claybury so he had to be satisfied. In 116, CJ Shepherd was up 30 places after starting to put in some serious training - one wonders how far he can go. 25 seconds and 17 places behind in 133rd was U20 Sam Benge, who had a good run but paid the price for falling twice. He can build on this run. Rob Cox (141) ran sluggishly round with dad Dave (143) as he recovers from injury. Dave was 10 seconds behind the first M55, Desborough of Garden City Runners.
PE teacher Rob Wilbraham (146) expects far more of himself but his disappointing run follows a school trip to Morocco and subsequent illness. For a lean-looking Rob Quantrell, 165 was his best finish in his 5th Met race for Woodford and he promises more. M50 Richard Holland's 175 was 6 places better than Claybury but he is not yet firing on all cylinders. In 181 was debutant Joe Everitt with a solid run, but due to a bureaucratic oversight he was classified as a guest so both our B and C teams suffered as a result.
In 194, Jon Long was up from 198 at Claybury, so satisfying as he starts preparing for the London Marathon. In 209 was a good run from another debutant, Neil Millington, who ran the course in flats as he does not have any spikes. And our scoring B team was closed by Richard Hogg in 237th, dropping from 204 on his familiar Claybury patch where he often coaches our youngsters.
Foot of Division 1 results: 8, Ealing 433; 9, WGEL B 273; 10, Serpentine B 229
League: 7, London Heathside 1207; 8, Ealing 766; 9, WGEL B 737; 10, Serpentine B 569
So it looks like a straight fight between three clubs to avoid relegation with things looking grim for Serpentine B. Team Manager Terry McCarthy pointed out that "if our A team can make a comeback then I'm sure our B team will get dragged along in their wake, which leaves me wondering how much more Ealing have to offer". He added, "It would be tragic if we got relegated through omitting Joe Everitt's date of birth - but not as tragic as other things which happen in the world."
Women's B team
Delighted once again to have started as a full team, the Bs were led home by new addition Sarah Nicholas (50) only 15" behind Pritchett, who began and ended the race quite rightly smiling from an impressive Met League debut - with more to come no doubt. What for spectators may have seemed like an interminable 2'22" later, and after an in-forest tussle (nearly a tumble) V45 Jenny Thomas (85) a debutante on this "fast" course, was second home for the Bs, pleased to have stayed upright to the finish, and to have caught - by 4" - welcome returnee U20 student Kate Stockings (87) who was 90" off her 64th placing last year and no doubt looking at better form as the season progresses. On their tail by 9" and fourth home for the Bs was Alex Wardle (90) (over 1' down on her 69th last year) who despite almost entirely replacing actual cake with long distance 'training cake' (with some minor but notable lapses) remains frustrated as she struggles to recover her racing legs on this course, a month after achieving a half marathon PB. Poor Jess Docking, having missed Claybury due to illness and battling to recover from a bug, lost out to the lurgy and ended her day gutted that having made the start line at Stevenage she was unable to finish after only one lap, before calling it enough. 1'49" down on Wardle, Kavita Solder (112) was 5th and last home for the incomplete Bs. Making a welcome but tentative season's debut following surgery on an infected foot, Kav was delighted simply to be able to run again and confident that she could soon recover the form that placed her 48 places higher up the field at this race last year.
Unable to close a team, the Bs dropped only one place to fourth in Division 2, behind leaders Serpentine C (their Bs are 6th in Div 1- take note), Ealing Southall & Middlesex in second and Hillingdon in third.
After a brilliant performance from Gundo, the Vets team remains in first place followed by Heathside in second and Serpentine now 3rd.
The Woodettes are a little bruised having lost places in both senior Divisions but unbowed. But the key thing to remember is the quality of our squad - we just need to get as many of the girls to the start on the day. "This could still go our way" said team reporter Jenny Thomas "Well done the girls - especially Kat leading from the front for the Vets. Everything is still to play for. Come on Ally Pally - and make sure we get the hill".
The girls also want to thank pre Race Day Captain Evie Serventi and Race Day Clipboard Captain Jim Roche for excellent support up to and on the day.
Men's C team
M55 Alistair Holford opened the C team in 244, down from 212 at Claybury. Chris Maybin (264) was opening his CC season. Mark Hughes also dropped from 236 but felt he ran better. M60 Roy Williams (283) narrowed the gap between himself and Hughes but also dropped from 257 in the stronger field. Andy Smith (285( narrowly made the start of the race after a fraught journey on various trains. The 3" gap between himself and Williams must motivate both athletes. M50 Paul Stockings (290) will want to narrow the 25" gap to Smith. M50 Tom Spanyol (305) will be disappointed to see a 2+ minute gap to training partner Hughes. And Michael Murphy closed the C team in 322 off limited training.
Promotion from Division 3 looks beyond us now, barring a miracle. "And the Lord doesn't waste too much time bestowing miracles on Division 3 of the Met League," frowned manager McCarthy.
All of which left one non-scorer, M60 Trevor Powell, who tends to count his result from the back, not the front. This time he beat 11 men compared with 9 at Claybury.
The next league race will be at Alexandra Palace on 15th December, so Christmas shopping can be left until 16th if necessary.
Elsewhere university commitments drained our Met League efforts. Ed Shepherd and Alex Cornwell (Birmingham Uni CC Team Captain) finished 5th and 8th respectively in the Birmingham CC League race. Angus Holford, now CC Captain at Colchester University, finished 8th in the Essex League race. Daniel Agustus was working in the morning but finished in time to run the Surrey League race near his home, finishing 14th for his second-claim club Belgrave in his first race since May.