The most critical race for the Club in many years took place on Thursday 2nd July 2026 and although we didn’t quite achieve our major goal of keeping our place in division 1 of the Midweek League. Disappointing as this was there was so much to be very proud of on the night. I can’t remember when we were last outside of division 1 but it is certaily at least 10 years and probably a lot more than that. I’m absolutely convinced that we will be back after only 1 year in division 2.
A few days before Thursday’s race I was totally convinced that we would stay up and quite possibly have a good go at winning the men’s title. Sadly there were quite a number of injury drop outsin the last few days before the race and there were quite a number of crocks around the course helping and cheering on the team. The men ended with 42 runners which is quite good especially when you take into account all the injuries. The scoring was very tight with 4 teams all locked very tightly at the top but sadly we were the ones to miss out finishing 4th just a handful of points behind winners Ware Joggers. Our scoring team was Adam Bowman, Joseph Kallow, Ed Rios, Matt Littleford, Charlie Bruce, Andy Naylor, David Weir, Ben Allen, Jim Arrowsmith, Toby Burrowes, Matt Petch Cooper and David Kunzmann. They all worked extremely hard and put their bodies on the line as did the rest of the team. The Vets had a better day and won the competition on the night coming out on top. The vets team was Ed, Matt, Charlie, Andy, David and Jim. The men ended up 3rd in both the senior competition and vets for the season, a very creditable performance.
The women have struggled with unavailability all season and it is to the great credit of those that have turned out that have kept going and working so hard to gather points wherever they could and should be very proud of theur efforts. Sadly they ended up bottom for the season in both the senior and the vets competitions. On Thursday they were able to finish 5th in both categories. The main team was Mahdiyah Banoo, Beata Falkowska, Siobhan Weir, Aimee Jenner, Melissa O’Hare, Isabella Petruccelli, Carolyn Watson and Shauna Murphy Collins. The Vets team was made up of Beata, Siobhan, Aimee and Melissa. In all there were 22 women running and they did a fantastic job sticking to the task and running beyond their limits. It’s been a tough time for the girls and they deserve our admiration.
Just as important as the efforts from the runners in the race is the outstanding job all of our volunteers did in making sure it went off well. It was a superb success in every way and although everyone stepped up and went beyond the call of duty I have to pick out Ian Kenwell and wife Margaret who were magnificent as joint Race Directors. When I asked Ian to be Race Director I knew he had no experience in this area and had never even taken part in a race of this kind. Any doubts I might have had were totally wiped out and they really stepped up to do an amazing job. Also worth a big mention is Paul Brennan, sadly missing from rhe team on the course but was managing the marshals team and was a great asset. One of the marshals, Zoe Redondo, did have a major incident with a lady from Garden City Runners having a fall and breaking bones in hand and arm, Zoe was greatly praised by the lady that fell for the way Zoe handled the issue. Only one example of the brilliant attitude of all our volunteers including the car park marshals, finish funnel team, water station and Natasha’s food team. The food was highly praised by the other teams, well done Tash and evertone who contributed. Photos taken are up on the Photo Gallery and Keith Fenwick’s professional photos are on the Midweek League website.
See you all at the Mob Match and Presentation.
Chas