Met League 2, Stevenage: Young Athletes
Stevenage greeted our youngsters with strong winds and at times driving rain which made it extremely difficult for all those taking part. Some fared better than others in the horrid conditions. Our turnout was down on Claybury which was slightly disappointing, however those that could not run had good reasons not to be there.
The “terrible twins” were again to the fore with Maxwell Chinn leading for the bulk of the Under11s race, doing all the work into the strong wind only to be jumped 150 metres from home by a strong-looking Greenstein from Shaftesbury Barnet to place a gallant 2nd from 65 starters. Sidnie Ward was in a pack of four for the majority of the race and, despite a fall, took control with the wind behind him on the latter part of the course to ensure his win which now gives two wins from the first two races.
Behind Maxwell was another excellent run from young Jimmy Gellor, placing 11th, and schoolmates and training partners Dylon White and Sid Cody were 23rd and 24th. In the girls' race, run alongside the boys' race, Holly Hudson, who is only just 9, was a fine 12th - she found that the wind knocked her small frame about. In 29th place was Sydney Jay.
In the older age groups the numbers in each race were boosted by guests from Dundrom AC, from the Irish Republic.
Behind Sidnie in the Under 13 boys race, Liam Waldron had another good run for 25th from a starting field of approx. 75. Just behind Liam was George MacPherson who should be very happy with 30th. Closing the team in was Bradley Jay who ran well for 43rd. Woodford were 3rd from 22 clubs. In his first race for Woodford, Nathan Howes was 57th, and Woody Hudson, who had played rugby earlier that day, was 59th.
In the Under 13 girls race Hollie McArdell, who is only just 11, ran really well from a starting field of approx. 65 to place 30th and she had five Irish runners ahead of her. Just two days prior, Hollie had picked up a bronze medal in the East Herts Champs Year 7 race.
In the Under 15 girls race Louise Gilbert had a strong run to place 8th and she too had three Irish runners ahead of her. This performance earned Louise her very first Essex vest as she will run in the SEAA Inter Counties Champs at Biggleswade on 12th December. Behind Louise was first year Under 15 girl Siena Taylor who was 14th. Not far behind Siena was Olivia Corbett in 20th spot. Mille Finch was returning from a foot injury but she should feel satisfied that she got round for 33rd. There were approx. 45 starters in the Under 15 girls. Unfortunately for us, we had no competitors in the Women’s Under 17 race, which was run alongside the Under 15 race.
In the combined Under 15/17 Mens race we only had four finishers. Harry Cavell, reliable as ever, placed 28th in the Under 17 Men’s race. In the Under 15 boys race Joe Gellor had another excellent run for 15th and he, like Siena, is a first year Under 15. Behind Joe were Hayden and Todd Maleary, going through a difficult time at present, but they were brave, both of them, for completing the course for 38th and 40th from a starting field of 45 in the Under 15 boys race. Hayden and Todd, I am sure, will get back to their best which saw them both run for Essex last year. They both need all the encouragement they can get and I know Woodford are right behind them both.
Sidnie Ward, too, has been selected to represent Essex on 12th December at Biggleswade in the Under 13 boys.
I want to also praise Alicia McArdell who ran as a first Year Under 20 in the senior race and, out of a starting field of about 230, she should feel very happy with 88th and scoring for the Woodettes.
Lastly I must thank those parents who transported our youngsters to Fairlands Park,Stevenage, all of whom got drenched in the awful wind and rain.