We had a very pleasant day for the annual flat, tarmac charge around the measured 5 mile course at Victoria Park. It might have been a little chilly but spot on for fast times. The most exciting thing was that we had an equal number of men and women with 18 of each. The women’s numbers were boosted with some less experienced racers, mostly from the Transformers group.

As usual this race pulls out some speedy runners who don’t turn out for the cross countries. Our men and women were under strength with some of our top scorers missing. It has been a long and demanding season and it is taking its toll. We do have the finish order and times but as yet league places have not been sorted out. I expect us to finish midtable for both men and women which is probably where we will end the season, although the relays can still impact league placings. I now have the league places and as there is no favouritism between men and women, both teams finished 5th on the day and sit 4th for the season.

Our men making up the scoring team were Charlie Bruce, Ben Allen, Jim Arrowsmith, Robert Sikorski, Scott Aiken and Paul Ward. Of these scorers only Ben does not count as a Vet and was replaced by Adrian ‘Del’ Edwards in the Vet team. Our scoring women were Anja Greenwood, Beata Falkowska, Anna Sikorska, Eva Jones, Sue Thomas and Sarah De Los Rios. Again for the women only Eva was not a Vet and Theodosia Green filled the final Vet place.

All of the other runners taking part did brilliantly and set some outstanding times. I’m sure everyone was very happy with their achievements and will be very proud. It was a new course which avoided the cross over point in the middle, a great step forward.

Outside the Senior race we had a runner take part in the Under 15 race and Jagna Falkowska stormed to a fantastic win in the girls race, she was a long way ahead of the next girl and this confirmed her overall win for the season. The Junior trophies normally are the exclusive territory of Woodford Green. This is an amazing win considering we don’t focus the Chingford League for our Juniors.

One last thing, I managed to thrust the camera in the hands of Grainne Jones and she did a great job and her results are up on the Club Photo Gallery. I hope everyone enjoyed the experience and will be back for more. I know a lot of Transformers are away for the relays but there is still the Met League at Trent Park on Saturday and the Sunday League at Watford on 16th. Well done everyone who ran on Saturday.

Chas