Chingford League 2024-25: Race 3, Trent Park
Storm Bert rattled the trees and delivered a deluge of rain but was no match for the Woodford athletes who still turned up in droves, showing the true grit and determination required as a cornerstone to any successful winter cross country season!
This, the third fixture of the season, was held at Tent Park and hosted by Barnet and District AC. Numbers were huge with the North-West London Young Athletes League combining with Chingford League as part of the annual Fraternity and Sorority Cup. This cup was first awarded to Hampstead Harriers in 1933 to celebrate comradeship between London running clubs.
The Course
Conditions were tough with 40mph winds and driving rain. U11s ran 2 laps of a grassy upper field. U13s to Seniors ran a varying number of laps of the upper field and also dropped down to a lower field via forest trails. The lower field section was quite technical and slippery in sections, with 2 big hills to traverse before athletes made their way back to the upper field for the finish.
Senior Men – 7.5km
Christopher Hogg (68th) led WGEL home and for the second consecutive fixture improved on his finishing spot. Chris is inching closer to the top 50, despite thinking he was further back. Richard Hogg (156th) was next in and, despite finding conditions tough, enjoyed his run in a huge field of over 300 athletes.
U17 Boys – 5km
No WGEL boys ran due to fixture clashes. Enfield (57 points) won the fixture. They top the league ahead of Loughton AC (54 points) and Orion (49 points). WGEL (37 points) are in 4th. In the individual event, Sam Lindsell (E&H) was second in the race and now leads overall with 57 points from Aidan Buckley (Loughton)with 41 points and WGEL's William Muffett who is 3rd with 40 points. A lot can change with 3 fixtures remaining and the athletes' best 5 results (from 6 races) counting at the end of the season.
U17 Girls – 5km
Matilda Frith (4th) was first home for WGEL, closely followed by team-mate Juliet Taylor (5th). Matilda was pleased with her run. She felt confident throughout and the tough conditions seemed to suit her. Juliet crossed the line and was promptly sick, such was the effort she put in on the hills. WGEL lead the league competition. Matilda (54 points) leads the individual event. Juliet Taylor (50 points) is currently 2nd, ahead of Loughton’s Charlotte Palmer (39 points).
U15 Boys – 4km
Miles Braysher (6th) was WGEL's sole representative, completing the course in 15mins 15s. This is his first winter with the club and he is progressing well, gaining valuable experience and enjoying his running. Rory Greenwood (LH) won the race in 14mins 14s. After 3 fixtures, WGEL (58 points) top the table ahead of Loughton AC (54 points) and Enfield (51 points). Toby Long (Eton Manor) leads the individual event with 41 points. WGEL's Miles Braysher (32 points) is 6th and Ethan Withfield (22 points) 8th. Last year’s winner, Stephen Ng (20 points), is 10th. Again, lots can happen with 3 fixtures to go and 60 points up for grabs with 20 points for a win.
U15 Girls – 4km
Jasmine Hall (2nd) made a welcome return to the team and was first home for WGEL. Wet conditions would usually suit Jasmine as a top-class swimmer, but she admitted that running in it was less fun. Despite that, she put in a really gutsy performance, finishing just behind race winner Falkowski (Trent Park) in 16mins 31s. Sophia Parker (14th) was next home and very pleased with her time of 17mins 34s. The conditions suited Sophia and she may well enjoy the next few months as the weather closes in. Team-mate Marissa Higgs-Smith (19th) followed in next and was also pleased with her run. Marissa gave it everything and looks in good shape. Emilia Kozinska (20th) was next home and there were nice scenes of team bonding and mutual respect for all the girls’efforts in the conditions as they huddled together by the tent at the finish line with team-mates Fiona Yip (25th) and Isla Barron (26th) crossing the line shortly after.
WGEL (60 points) top the table. Sophia Parker (57 points) leads the individual medals with team-mates Isla Barron (43 points) 2nd, Fiona Yip (43 points) 3rd, Emilia Kozinska (43 points) 4th and Marissa Higgs-Smith (29 points) in 6th place.
U13 Boys – 3km
Eric Frith won the race and continued his outstanding winter. Running 10min 39s for 3km, he was 10 seconds ahead of runner-up Stubbins (ESM) and third-placed Cowan (SHB), who both compete in the Met League and were running as part of the NWL League. In the same fixture last year, Eric was 26th overall and 4th in the Chingford League competition. This year he led from the start and never looked back, such is his progress.
Next home was Woody Qureshi (2nd) who had another inspired run. Woody continues to amaze team managers given his lack of running time due to other sports, but it’s always good to see him on the team sheet. It was also a pleasing return for Henry Richards (4th) who ran well and continues his recovery after a few weeks with injury. Ashton Jokhiya (7th) was next home and cemented his place among the leaders in this competition. Ashton is growing in confidence and learning how to best prepare for races even in the toughest of conditions. Team-mate Daniel Hayden (13th) was disappointed with his run but admitted to taking it too easy at the start (a good lesson learnt!)
WGEL (60 points) lead the table ahead of Loughton AC (53 points) and Orion (47 points). In the individual event Eric Frith (60 points) leads ahead of William Godsave (51 points) of Loughton AC. WGEL athlete Woody Qureshi (48 points) is 3rd with team-mates Daniel Hayden (38 points), Ashton Jokhiya (38 points) in joint 5th and Henry Richards (31 points) in 6th place.
U13 Girls – 2.2km
Eva Prince won the race in tough conditions that suited her all-out style. Eva ran the 3km course in 11mins 39s and was clear of runner up Cooper (Barnet) and third-placed Deakin (LH) who are both experienced junior endurance runners. Gracie Faynika (2nd) was next home and reminded team mangers just how good she is, even off limited training due to school commitments. It was great to see her back.
Lottie Oates' (3rd) progress back to full fitness continues and this was her best race of the season. Lottie had been unwell for a few weeks and is now starting to show her best form again. Poppy Barker (4th) is another who is progressing and training well. She was a little disappointed with her run and felt she never quite got going in the conditions but will have learnt a lot about running in the mud for the remainder of the season.
Rosie Anderson (5th), Sophia Stephenson (6th) and Kehanique Lowe (7th) packed well and were pleased with their runs. Sophia, because she is progressing and enjoying her races, and Rosie and Kehanique who simply love getting them done! Chloe Summers (9th) and Maia Lalani (10th) were next in. Chloe is building her strength this winter and taking on extra core work, with her pole vault training helping her stability in the conditions! Maia has been unable to train much in recent weeks but still regularly finishes in the top ten and enjoys her racing with room to progress as her schedule pans out. Rosie Muffett (14th) was pleased with her run and is starting to find her feet in races. Aoife Pearce (15th) was not so pleased but if she could transfer her huge efforts in racing into her training, she’d be challenging the top ten in this competition.
WGEL (60 points) lead the table from Enfield (55 points) and Orion (51 points). Poppy Barker (50 points) tops the individual event with teammates Lottie Oates (48 points), Eva Prince (40 points), Grace Cherry (39 points), Chloe Summers (37 points), Kehanique Lowe (35 points) and Rose Anderson (29 points) all in the top ten, such is the strength in depth of this team.
U11 Boys – 2km
Jack Tonge won the race in 8mins 44s. This was another good learning experience for Jack, who held the lead under pressure from two Shaftesbury Barnet boys for the majority of the race until the final third when he broke clear. Moving through the field at a rate of knots was Jessie Geller (2nd) who had a storming final part of the race to take the runners-up spot. Jesse is training really well, and that consistency is starting to pay off in his races.
Albie Ellingham (6th) is also progressing and had a fine run, only his third for the club and showing good potential. Patrick Langan (7th) is another fast improving and was delighted with his run, improving on his 21st overall position last year. Lukas Sendar (10th) had his best run of the season and enjoyed the conditions. He ran with team-mate Jax Connor (11th) for most of the race. Jax is another talented junior. He prefers firmer ground and was disappointed with his run but knows that, while muddy conditions might not suit his style, it will aid his long-term development. George Davies (12th) continued his fine debut season with another good run around the top ten with team-mates Luke Foley (14th) and Seth Fayinka (15th) working hard together as a team.
Dylan Williams (18th) is showing real signs of progress. Dylan was 36th overall last season and is well ahead of that now and running with confidence. Charlie Tonge (24th) led a huge group of young WGEL athletes over the line with Arlo Barron-Smith (26th), Samuel Etheridge (28th), Sam Spence (29th), Miles Czeczotka (34th), Noah Parker (36th), Ben Welsford (39th), Leonardo Chemi (42nd), Jude Oransaye (43rd) and Oscar Everitt (44th) packing well. A lot of these boys are running competitively for the first time this year and gaining valuable experience.
WGEL (60 points) top the table ahead of Orion (55 points) and Eton Manor (46 points). Jack Tonge (59 points) leads the individual event ahead of Lukas Vernal (57 points) of Orion. WGEL athlete Jesse Geller (52 points) is 3rd with team-mates Jax Connor (47 points) 4th, George Davies (39 points) 5th, Albie Ellingham (31 points) 6th, and Lukas Sendar and Patrick Langham (25 points) joint 8th after 3 fixtures.
U11 Girls
Chloe Ward (2nd) ran the course in 09mins 31s and was runner-up to individual leader Alice Clements (Enfield). These two have been neck and neck this season in both Chingford and Met Leagues. Chloe was disappointed with a gap of 20s between them but realises that, over a long winter season, sometimes you just have to grind it out and live to fight another day! Rosie Barron (3rd) was another who ground out an excellent result in challenging conditions. Rosie is incredibly consistent, steely tough, and still managed a smile despite the weather.
Phoebe Quorn (5th) missed the race last year due to traffic but made up for it this time with a gutsy run finishing just outside the top 3. Pheobe was slightly disappointed with her result but is working hard in training. Phoebe Woods (7th) was next home, closely followed by Kaya Affleck (8th), Ava Pugh (9th) and Nola Glover-Hammond (10th), who all continued their fine form taking top ten positions. Angelica Povilaitis (11th) finished just behind this pack and led home team-mates Jessica Cole (12th), Emilia Herbert (13th) and sisters Dulcie (21st) and Lula Qureshi (22nd).
WGEL (60 points) lead the table ahead of Eton Manor (53 points) and Enfield (52 points). Alice Clements (60 points) of Enfield heads the individual event with WGEL's Chloe Ward (57 points), Rosie Barron (54 points), Phoebe Quorn (50 points) all in the top 5.
Summary
It was a heroic effort from the team in extremely tough conditions. At the halfway stage our youngest age groups are all excelling and, whilst some of our older U17 and U15 teams were incomplete, they are all still within reach at the top of the tables. The individual event is also hotting up and, with 3 fixtures remaining, anything could happen. If the team can retain their superhuman consistency over the remaining league fixtures (Olympic Park in December, Epping Forest in January and Victoria Park in February) then it could be another hugely exciting end to the season. Finally, a huge well done to all the parents, guardians and volunteers that got the athletes this fixture. None of this is possible without your support!
Next Chingford League: Wednesday 11th December 2024 Olympic VeloPark