London CC Champs: Woodettes' Silver Sister Act
George-Lou and Sidnie Sales led the Woodford women to Team Silver in 6th and 7th place, respectively; with Sidnie taking individual U20 gold and Lauren MacGregor (27) taking U20 bronze. The scoring quartet was completed by Danni Nimmock (18).The London Cross Country Championship is not a target fixture for the team, and if the usual Woodette suspects were not out in numbers on Saturday their absence was nowhere reflected in the results, as our brilliant young team of Georgie-Lou Sales (6), younger sis Sidnie Sales (7), Danni Nimmock (18) and Lauren MacGregor (27) took team silver, with individual plaudits for U20s Sidnie and Lauren, first and third in their category.
1st: Serpentine, 38; 2nd: WGEL, 58; 3rd: Highgate, 74. U20 Gold: Sidnie Sales, U20 Bronze: Lauren MacGregor
So after heavy showers overnight and into the morning, there was a dull and damp feel to the afternoon. In sharp contrast to the same fixture last year, which took place on a firm course in balmy late autumn sunshine, the absence of stalwart, kit-owning Woodies was keenly felt in this more seasonal weather in a comparative lack of infrastructure (flag, tent or groundsheet) at Camp Woodford, as our small number shuffled and hopped to get ready with nothing but flimsy bin liners and a shoe bags separating them from the North London elements.
Known as an 'iconic' cross country course, Parliament Hill with its er, hills, rolling winter meadowland and the muddiest mud, not to mention panoramic City views, is a magnet for many wanting a punishing off road workout. And so it was, as the 139 strong field (the same size as last year) gathered for the gun, seven Woodettes - outnumbered more than 3:1 by Serpies - lined up at the (possibly) new starting position, away from the running track but as ever, uphill.
If Race Day Captain Alex Wardle's (the day's official photographer) pictures are anything to go by, the Woodford girls got off to an aggressive start, with all four positioned well for the first lap and thereafter. Georgie-Lou, getting stronger with each outing, led the green & whites all the way to finish in an excellent 6th place, just 22" behind the bronze medal winner, Highgate's K Meredith. She was rightly delighted, as was sister Sidnie - behind Georgie-Lou by 28" - to come in 7th. The nineteen year old, who was 23rd in this race last year, won the U20 race, showing that resting her legs by sitting out last week's Met League at Stevenage had definitely been the right strategy. Third home for the team was Danni Nimmock (18), 28" behind Sidnie. This was Danni's first outing in white & green and Saturday's fine performance (plus more of Terry McCarthy's Saturday mornings in Highams Park) should fill her with confidence to deliver more.
Closing for the team and delighted to finish this time after disappointing herself when she DNF at the Met League in Claybury, student and U20 Lauren MacGregor (27) ran a controlled race. The final team result wasn't enough to beat Serpentine, but despite Highgate's top girls (Penty and Meredith) finishing in 2nd and 3rd place, it was enough for team silver. The girls were rightly delighted. Said Race Day Clipboard Queen Wardle: "A cracking performance from our young (!) women's team. Excellent stuff all of you. If we combine this upcoming talent with the best of the rest of the green and white vests, we will be unstoppable - watch out Serpentine".
Meanwhile, the other three Woodette competitors, sadly lacking a fourth to close a team, were batting hard for the green & whites in the lower reaches of the field. V45 Sally Chapman (78) making a welcome second appearance this season, but complaining of a pesky stitch, and cheered on by mum, dad, husband and kids, ran a strong race in which she rallied after a mid race tussle with fellow V45 Jenny Thomas to win out in the end, beating Thomas (82) - who feels she might be edging closer - by 16". Thomas, whose strategy - as the attraction of late night week night training diminishes for winter - is to race and stretch herself fit, was philosophical as she contemplated a slower time but an improved position (1 place!) on last year. 53" behind her, WGEL returnee Karen Horswood (94), whose warm up consisted of a mad dash back home to collect her forgotten spikes, closed for the Woodettes. Horswood, whose dogs were certainly ecstatic with her performance, satisfied herself that she was getting fitter and moving in a good direction, declared herself pleased and hopeful of better to come as the season progresses. Reporter Jenny Thomas said "Though they couldn't close a team, the three Vet Woodettes should be rightly pleased with their mid-table performances - 26th, 29th and 34th - respectively, of a 66 Vets field. Excellent preparation for the Essex Vets Champs in a fortnight's time".
As ever, the Woodettes are grateful to excellent race day support from Race Day Captain and Photographer-in-Chef Alex Wardle, Men's Cross Country Captain Terry McCarthy and Evergreen Cheerleader Charlie Crump.
Men
Our men's squad mostly ignored this non-target race, but we had 7 finishers in the field of 279: 34, Louis Clark; 53, Chris Symonds; 81, Paul Major; 91, Matt Molloy; 172, Richard Hogg; 225 Paul Stockings; 256, Stuart Phillips.