A recent addition to our ranks will be of particular interest to older members. Young Tilly Major, a bottom year U13, joined us from Herts Phoenix to maintain a family tradition. 

Tilly's parents are Paul Major and Sally Chapman, both of whom were good WGEL distance runners in their day. Paul's dad was Eric Major, a very fine distance man in the late 1950s/early 1960s who finished as high as 32nd in the English National CC. (John Hayward's review of the 1957 track season also had him as "Worst Turned-Out" due to the holes in his club vest!). And Sally Chapman's father is David Chapman, who ran as fast as 8.46 for the 3000m steeplechase and represented GB at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

So a fine heritage! We wish Tilly lots of enjoyment and success with her new club. She has reinforced an U13 Girls team which was already strong, and finished 3rd (2nd scorer) in the first Met League race of the season at Claybury last Saturday.

From L. to R.: John Hayward, Jill Chapman, Paul Major, Tilly, and Dave Chapman (photo by Sally Chapman)

After a 1976-beating summer, it was only to be expected that the 2018-9 season opener would be a balmy one - it usually is. Nobody anticipated it would be scorchio; but it was a stunning autumn day to kick off the season.

As has also become customary in this mighty league, the field was a big’un. 233 women finished, a record I think for Claybury, if not the League. With new flags denoting new clubs and a great vibe all round as Woodies gathered in their usual spot beside the beautiful ancient oak, there was bound to be excitement.

Relegated to Division 2 after (yet) another disappointing season last year, where we struggled to get a scoring six to any fixture after the first, things already looked like a challenge; losing the talented V40 Kat Gundersen to her old club VPTH added to the pain.

Provisional results

Photos (by Mark Easton - available to purchase)

Alicia McArdle (872) and Becky Wilby race it out in the woods (photo: Sally Chapman)