Met 3, 2024-25: Bertie hits century as Woodford seniors pack well
The third Met League of the season at Uxbridge saw positive team results for both Woodford’s men; who packed 4 in the top 13; and women; as well as the marking of Bertie Powell completing his 100th consecutive senior Met League race.
After a great start to the season, our ladies team was unfortunately beset by niggles and injuries in the weeks leading up to this race. Despite this, a combination of long-term members and a new recruit Rachel Lam took to the start line to ensure we were able to field a full team.
First home was Alicia McArdell in 42nd with a great run that she said was much more consistent than her race at Claybury. Whilst most of the team were relieved not to have to contend with the freezing conditions of this fixture last year, Alicia was perhaps the only member of the team moaning that it was ‘too hot’.
Claire Allen was next in, placing 71st. Claire set off slowly and worked her way through once she found her rhythm- a technique that clearly paid off and rewarded her with a big improvement on her 89th at the Horsenden Hill fixture.
The team were glad of the return of Zoe Watson who missed the last Met League due to work commitments. Zoe was not far behind Claire in 80th place but ran a conservative race as she nurses a niggle in her back. We hope she recovers swiftly and can enter the new year in fighting form ahead of the county and regional championship races. Kate Stockings secured another top 100 finish to place 91st. Commenting that ‘the mud changes everything’, she wasn’t thrilled with her run but is determined to build more mud into her training ahead of races in the new year!
Our 5th scorer was Katie Olert in 136th place with Rachel Lam closing the team in 160th. Having trained with us as a junior athlete it is great to see Rachel back training and racing with us as a senior. This was her Met League debut but we hope she’ll race for us lots more across the season. As the ladies race drew to a close, it was time to turn attention to the men.
With the race field gathered on the start line, Bertie’s achievement was recognized first with a presentation from the League secretary.
There followed an appreciation and awarding of a commemorative tankard from club Life Member and former team manager Terry McCarthy, who reminded us about Bertie’s contributions in quality; he has finished in the top 10 on 10 occasions; as well as quantity. After Bertie’s own short speech, paying tribute to the help from his parents, coach, and faith, the race got underway.
James Stockings got the quickest start, but as the field splintered it was Oliver Bushdari (7th) and Tom Beedell (8th) who pushed through the field together and came in first and second Woodford men, with Oliver’s performance marking a huge personal best and first time in the top 10.
Tom Adolphus also achieved a lifetime best position as he banished the ghosts of his previous Met League race at Uxbridge, when he went over on his ankle and hobbled out. This time he “looked at the ground” all the way through the woods, and his concentration paid off. He finished 11th, edging past James Stockings, who slightly laboured to 13th just a week after his 12th place at the Milan Half-Marathon in 69:10.
Angus Holford (40th) made a steady start, and caught Ronan Edwards (43rd) just before the second and final water jump. The two tracked each other closely round the final 2k or so, with Ronan holding on well, to also secure a personal best position in the senior rankings. Daniel Steel (70th) and Harold Wyber (81st) both felt they were coming in to the race in their best form this winter, and this was reflected in the finishing positions compared with Claybury and Horsenden Hill. Deelan Bushdari also secured a personal best position in 84th, and with it the kudos of beating previous Ken Bray trophy winner Simon Beedell (92nd).
Matt Shone was next in, finishing 146th. Matt, who himself has 5 top-10 finishes and a win in the Met League, sensationally tied with Bertie for the Ken Bray Trophy in 2008. He made the trip from his Cheltenham base for his first Met League for just under 12 years in honour of the occasion of his former nemesis.
In 181st Rhys Edwards closed the ‘A’ team and completed the third of three brotherly pairings that contributed to an overall 3rd place. This was a better combined performance than Horsenden Hill though not quite on par with the opening fixture at Claybury. However the team narrowly reclaimed third position in the Season rankings ahead of London Heathside and Thames Valley Harriers. At the top, on-the-day winners Highgate extended their slender lead over Victoria Park.
Godwinner Nkebani opened the B-team account in 201st. Godwinner is still adjusting to the 8k distance and had not been looking forward to either the ski-slope or the river crossing, but he navigated both assuredly. Second-claimer Jon Williams was welcomed back for his first Met since February, with his 213th place, and did well to hold off centurion Bertie Powell, who crawled across the line in (218th), and Chris Hogg who was 221st. There was a gap to Tony Pamphilon (297th), who is keeping his powder dry ahead of the Essex Vets championship next week. Next in, just 0.62 seconds separated Asif Hussain (348th) and Ben Stockill (349th). Ben will wonder whether the extra wind resistance from the latter’s Movember ‘tache proved the difference here! Both found the course very challenging after the relative firmness and predictability of Claybury and Horsenden, but are growing into team regulars. Richard Hogg (365th) closed the 8-to-score B team on the day, and they continue to ride high in Division 3, behind only another Highgate outfit. Our final two finishers accentuate the mix of long-standing and new members that are essential to the life of the club: Paul Stockings, who completed his own century of Met Leagues at least 13 years ago, was 389th, holding off debutant Feroz Mansoor who was 402nd. Also participating was Trevor Powell, who had long made it his target to be fit to take part in son Bertie’s century race. This he did, peeling off after the first lap to be ready to applaud Bertie over the line.
The squad then enjoyed a special green and white cake brought by Susan Edwards; as Bertie received a signed photograph from the squad masterminded by the women’s team manager. Bertie extended his fame by being featured on the Athletics Weekly Instagram account.
Attention now turns to the Essex Championships, first the Vets next week, before the seniors aim to regain their title at Basildon in early January. With the Uxbridge performances, the signs are good, but after our slightly under-strength team was stunningly shunted out of the medals altogether at the start of this year, the managers know there can be no room for complacency.