Chingford League 2023-24 (Race 6): Victoria Park
On Saturday 3rd February, Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets AC hosted the final Chingford League race of 2023/24 season. There were huge fields, but this was no surprise given the venues central location and a return to tarmac after weeks of mud for the athletes! It was also a last opportunity for athletes to pick up points in the individual and club competitions as well as newcomers attracted to the final race of the league season.
As a reminder, in the individual competition athletes score points on a sliding scale dependent on their place in each race. The race winner scores 20 points. The runner-up scores 19 points and an athlete in 20thplace scores 1 point. These results are recorded after each race. At end of season the athlete’s best 5 results (from a maximum of 6 races they can run, not including relays) are used to calculate their final points tally. The winner is the athlete with highest number of points.
The League competition is based on the cumulative score of a club's “A Team”. The A team is a club's first 4 athletes past the post. At each fixture the club with the highest points from its first 4 athletes scores 20 points. The runners-up 19 points. The club with the highest number of points added up across all 6 fixtures (not including relays) are crowned league champions.
Course
The race took place on flat, tarmac paths and tree-lined boulevards around Victoria Park. Conditions were ideal - both dry and still. U11s ran a one mile loop around the park. U13s ran the loop twice (2 miles). U15s ran a “figure of 8” loop (2.5 miles). Seniors ran this loop twice (5 miles).
Seniors
A huge field of 495 athletes competed in this race. The Men’s race was won by Seyfu Jamaal (London Heathside) for the second consecutive year in an impressive 23mins 57s. The Women’s race was also won in impressive style by debutant Ellie Baverstock (Orion) in 28mins 30s. Paul Stockings (M60) was a sole representative for WGEL. Paul completed a successful league campaign finishing in 37mins 41s (265th). WGEL Veteran men finished 6th in Division 2.
U17 Men
Aidan O’Driscoll (3rd) had a good run for third behind winner Samuel Crane (Ilford AC) who took the tape in 13mins 28s (Ilford AC) and runner up Rory O’Corbaidh (Orion). Aidan had been sidelined with breathing issues in recent weeks and was pleased with his comeback run of 15mins 11s.
U17 Men Individual Competition, Final Standings
Aidan O’Driscoll (78 points) finished 4thoverall, one point ahead of WGEL team-mate William Muffett (5th), who was unable to race due to a fixture clash with the Southern Inter-Counties Schools. The individual winner was Rory O’Corbaidh (94 points) of Orion Harriers.
U17 Men Club League Competition
WGEL led going into the final fixture, but with only one athlete available had an incomplete team and finished 3rd on the day, slipping to second (by one point!) overall behind winners Orion Harriers. The League champions were Orion Harriers with WGEL second and Loughton AC third.
U17 Women
Matilda Frith (2nd) had an excellent run, sprinting into the finish for second place in 18mins 48s behind race winner Leila Lauder (Ilford AC) and ahead of Abigail Hoult (Orion) in third.
U17 Women Individual Competition, Final Standings
Congratulations to Anaand Tratt as U17 women’s champion! Our Anaand Tratt (98 points) was the overall winner taking the trophy. Sadly, an Achilles niggle prevented her from racing in this final fixture but with 3 wins and 2 runners up places she was a very deserving winner.
Team-mate Matilda Frith (78 points) was runner-up and continued her fine form in the league, having won the U15 title last year. She was rewarded with second place after her superb run in the final fixture.
U17 Women Club League Competition
WGEL U17 Women were crowned league champions with 5 wins and one second place over the 6 fixtures.
U15 Boys
Yuvan Kumar (3rd) was third behind race winner Joshua Fanta (Enfield) and Ryder Islam (Ilford AC). Just 30 seconds separated the three boys in an exciting end to the season. Josh Stephenson (4th) was a welcome addition to the team and ran well after a fast start. Sid Smith (8th) and Callum Clydesdale (10th) were next back with Charlie Howes (12th) and Ethan Withfield (15th) completing our team.
U15 Boys Individual Competition, Final Standings
Congratulations to Yuvan Kumar (88 points) who was the overall U15 Boys winner. Yuvan finished in the top three in 4 races this season. His consistent high level of performance helped him secure the title over a long winter season. Runner up was Adian Buckley (78 points) of Loughton AC and third place was Ryder Islam (69 points) of Ilford AC.
U15 Boys Club League Competition
WGEL boys won the league with 5 wins and one second place over the 6 fixtures and were superb throughout the season.
U15 Girls
Ella Traynor took the tape winning the race in 17mins 28s ahead of Sinead O’Corbaidh (Orion) and WGEL team mate Juliet Taylor in third. Right behind Juliet was Darcey Mackenzie (3rd) and Amber Higgs-Smith (4th) who completed the A team and secured very important points for themselves and the team in the league competition.
U15 Girls Individual Competition, Final Standings
WGEL's Ella Traynor (94 points) took the title and was delighted to end on a high to win the race, and be crowned overall winner. Darcey Mackenzie (76 points) joined Ella on the podium in third place overall and it was fantastic to see her rewarded for her hard work over the season. Juliet Taylor (72 points) was fourth and Amber Higgs-Smith (64 points) fifth in a strong WGEL team!
U15 Girls Club League Competition
WGEL were league champions with 5 wins from 6 fixtures and fully deserved to be crowned champions! Runners up were Orion Harriers. Loughton AC were third.
U13 Boys
Eric Frith (2nd) had a great run, continuing his good form to finish six seconds behind race winner Barney Perkins (Illford AC). Tayo Adetona (4th) also had a great run as he continues to progress with the squad. Emmanuel Olabanji (7th) was next home. Emmanuel was leading the individual event and won two races earlier in season, but he has been suffering from a knee niggle and resting in recent weeks, which has seen him slip behind Perkins of Illford at the top of the leader board. He was disappointed, but nothing keeps him down for long and he will be back!
Right behind Emmanuel was Okkie Lee (8th) who is enjoying his cross country and improving rapidly!Training duo Daniel Hayden (11th) and Austin Smith (12th) closed the team. Both have been stalwarts for the team this season and made their way through the field together.
U13 Boys Individual Competition, Final Standings
Emmanuel Olabanji (89 points) finished second behind winner Barney Perkins (94 points) of Illford AC. Eric Frith’s (83 points) late surge up the table saw him finish third, one point ahead of Kalif Ali (82 points) of Illford and take the final podium spot.
U15 Boys Club League Competition
WGEL U15 Boys were crowned league champions and with 5 wins from 6 fixtures their trophy was richly deserved! Runners up were Loughton AC with Orion third.
WGEL U13 Girls
Eva Prince won the race in 13mins 42s. This was a fine run from Eva considering she was under the weather and a late entrant after a schools fixture had been cancelled! Her run put her firmly in contention for a medal at the top of the overall leader board. Marissa Higgs-Smith (2nd) was next home with team mates Emilia Kozinska (3rd), Chloe Summers (6th), Isla Barron (7th) and Aoife Pearce (11th) all finishing strongly to secure much needed points for their team!
U13 Girls Individual Competition, Final Standings
Eva Prince (93 points) was crowned champion with victories in the final two fixtures and one second place, making her a much deserved winner! Chloe Summers (80points) was delighted to secure the runners-up spot. Despite having moments where her confidence wobbled, she’s had a tremendous first winter with the club and deserved her place on the podium. Completing a clean sweep for WGEL was Sophia Parker (76 points), who led the event at half way but had a number of fixture clashes late in the season.
U13Girls Club League Competition
WGEL U13 Girls were superb this season and with 6 wins from 6 fixtures were crowned league champions. Runners up were Orion Harriers with Loughton AC third.
U11 Boys
Henry Richards (2nd) ran a gutsy race finishing second, running 6mins 35s for the mile behind race winner Lukas Vernal (Orion). Henry recently recovered from a foot injury and was determined to compete his 5th race to score in the individual competition. Jack Tonge (3rd) was next home with team mate Jax O’Connor (4th) continuing his return to form and Jessie Geller (5th) had his best run of the season to complete the A team.
A brilliant pack of WGEL athletes then flooded through the funnel; Lukas Sendar (5th), Idris Bernard (6th), Albie Ellingham (7th), Leo Ciarlet (9th), Luke Bachmann (9th), James Tattersall (10th), Dylan Williams (11th), Fintan McDonnell (12th) Zackary Paktsun (13th), Noah Parker (14th), Felix Brown (15th), Patrick Langan (16th), Harry McNally (17th), Edward Owens-Hill (18th) Elon Lee (19th) and Gurmilan Bains (21st).
It was some sight, seeing these boys pack together and with many debutants getting a taste for club running they were left hungry for more!
U11 Individual Competition, Final Standings
Henry Richards' (95 points) second place in this final fixture meant he finished level on points with Lukas Vernal (95 points), but he took the crown on a better 5 from 6 results with 2 wins and 2 runners-up places. WGEL team mate Jack Tonge (93 points) was also leading the competition at one stage and with one win and 2 runners up spots took a much deserved third place.
U11 Boys Club League Competition
WGEL U11 Boys had a tremendous season and with 5 wins from 6 fixtures were rightly crowned league champions. Runners up were Loughton AC. Third place were Orion Harriers.
U11 Girls
WGEL's Grace Cherry won the race in 06mins 52s, claiming her fourth victory this season! Right behind Grace was Rosie Barron (2nd), who has been superb this season, winning one race and finishing runner up in four races! Chloe Ward (4th) had her best race this winter and really took to the firmer ground with her highest finish of the season. Kehanique Lowe (5th) was next home and very much deserved her place in the A team after a terrific winter.
Rosie Anderson (6th) then led a great group across the finish line with: Phoebe Quorn (7th), Lottie Oats (8th), Maia Lalani (9th), Ava Pugh (10th), Sophia Stephenson (11th), Esme Cherry (13th), Jessica Cole (14th) and Caoilainn Wilbraham (15th) completing the team for WGEL.
U11 Girls Individual Competition, Final Standings
Grace Cherry (99 points) was crowned champion with 4 wins and one runners up spot, making her a standout winner. Rosie Barron (96 points) was also outstanding with one win and 4 runners up spots and much deserved runner up. Rosie Anderson's (80 points) outstanding determination across the season saw her take third place and ensure a clean sweep for WGEL U11 girls in the individual competition.
U11 Girls Club League Competition
WGEL U11 Girls dominated the league and with 6 wins from 6 fixtures were rightly crowned league champions. Runners up were Orion Harriers with Loughton AC in third.
Summary
It’s been a terrific Chingford League season. WGEL Boys and Girls won every league title across all age groups (bar U17 Men) in the junior section. This is testimony to the athletes, who always enjoy these fixtures! Many have supported the league from U11s and are now U15! The league provides a good local competition platform suitable for new athletes to step into cross country racing and for the more experienced athletes a chance of medals! Thanks to all parents, coaches and young athlete helpers who are always very encouraging and motivate the athletes to get out, even in the muddiest conditions!
Next Chingford League, Saturday 9th March at Wanstead Flats: Relays and Medal Presentations