Yet another excellent performance from BVAC. Both men and ladies fielded full teams and with terrific results. We finished in our joint highest combined position this year at 14th. Worth looking at the veterans only statistics though - with the two men and one lady vets we came a very creditable 4th with just 100 points! The ladies also finished in a very creditable 10th place anyway.
KFL - Oxleas Wood Race Report (Rob Bright)
Nearly 300 came along on Bank Holiday Monday to the nearly-level playing fields of Avery Hill Park for the penultimate league race of the current season. While a small number were there to strive for glory, most of us turned out to shake off some of the excesses of the Christmas period. While the skies were grey, the rain and the snow stayed away and we had near perfect conditions for a not-too-demanding opening race of 2006.
Sam Coombes was our winner on the day. If my memory serves, his last appearance in a KFL race was some 4 years ago at Rough Common, when he had an epic battle with Charlotte Dale – both running as guests. This time, he had very little opposition after the first half of the race as he steadily increased his lead over the field to around 100 metres by the time he crossed the line. James Davis, another infrequent XC man more noted for his track exploits came through in second place, while Andrew Pickett came in just in front of Clayton Barrett to take third.
Pickett’s result clinches the men’s championship as he cannot now be caught in the final race, his nearest challengers Andrew Green and Josh Nice unable to get up with the leaders. David Hall’s fifth place virtually secures him the M40 title if he gets round at Minnis Bay. Paul Ross-Davies, who didn’t run on Monday, still needs the final race to be sure of the M50 title.
Elaine Murty started with the hope of repeating her win at Oxleas Woods last time out, but found the milder conditions less to her liking this time. However in finishing second, a minute behind Heidi Coleman, she is now unbeatable the ladies’ championship. Heather Fitzmaurice, 4th on Monday, still needs another good run at Minnis Bay to take the over 35 title away from last year’s winner Cathy Hughes.
Team wise, Medway and Maidstone came good once again and increase their lead at the top of the table. It will now take a major upset to topple them in the final race. Invicta’s three women finished in the top 7 to clinch the ladies’ team race but Dartford Road Runners are still on course to retain their title
Many thanks to the New Eltham Joggers (particularly Joe Cleverly and Keith Webster) for another well organised event. Things got a bit hectic at the finish line around the 34 minute mark due to everyone trying to finish at the same time. I’m confident that everyone got recorded home in the correct order, but the times may have gone out of sync. with the positions. I am trying to rectify these at present
The women’s race was equally well contested. With Michelle Flaxton and Heidi Coleman absent on the day, the scene was set for Elaine Murty to take her first league win. Having taken the lead early in the race, she had to hold off a late challenge from Sharon Hawkins and Emma Harraden, but Murty with youth on her side was not going to be beaten. The win raises her to third position in the ladies’ championship behind Flaxton and Hawkins.
The team race saw success for Medway and Maidstone AC and they take a two point lead at the top of the table ahead of Invicta (who were missing some of their top women). Dartford Roadrunners and Istead & Ifield still remain in contention as championship contenders.