CHINGFORD LEAGUE RELAY PERFORMANCE SECURES PROMOTION FOR MEN’S TEAM

The Chingford League has undergone quite a transformation in this unusual winter season. The club’s talented but not necessarily extensive squad would typically focus on other events. But as the only non-virtual club competition available, its significance became elevated and prompted the management’s desire to seek promotion from Division 2.

Ilford AC clearly had a similar goal and after coming 2nd to us in the first fixture went on to stamp their authority by winning the following two fixtures at Hog Hill. London City AC had also been competitive so the final fixture, traditionally a four-person relay, would be decisive.
The final two fixtures had only been able to go ahead following the relaxation of some restrictions at the end of March, but this also meant the resumption of youth sporting activities which meant several dads in the squad were on duty and unable to compete in the relay. However we managed to construct a strong team made up of youngster Tom Adolphus, veteran Pete Caton and the Beedell brothers. The relay was held in Dagenham over a flat, off-road 2 mile loop.
Tom Adolphus led the team out on a stacked first leg with six athletes coming in under 11 minutes. Tom came in 5th out of these in a time of 10:52 and said he’d felt the effects of going through the first kilometre in close to 3 minutes. Next up was Pete with our standout run of the day. He tracked the Barking Road Runner athlete and was disappointed to not overtake him but finished with an excellent time of 11:35. Over to Simon Beedell who moved us up into 4th place, completing the course in 11:31. Trent Park had extended their lead at the front, although as a Division 1 club they weren’t a concern for us. Fortunately Ilford’s A team, made up of only under 20 athletes, had moved ahead of London City and thereby improved our prospect of promotion. Tom Beedell set off on our last leg confident he could improve on the 10 second lead his brother had established over Barking. He said he endured a lactic battle for the final couple of minutes of his leg, not exactly surprising given his training has moved away from shorter/faster stuff. His time of 10:57 secured 4th place and with Ilford holding off London City meant that the club were assured of promotion. The challenge will be if this can be maintained in more typical future seasons. 
Credit must be given to organiser Adrian Frost and all his volunteers, including our own Paul Manson, who enabled the four league fixtures to go ahead despite the logistical challenges. We are very much looking forward to resumption of normal racing in September and beyond. Fingers crossed!