Young Athletes - National Road Relays - Sutton Park

A bright sunny day with little wind greeted our ten teams at Sutton Park for these National Road Relays. This year the number of clubs exceeded that of previous years which was backed up by teams coming from Exeter from one point of the country and then Morpeth from the North East. Standards too had gone up. Ines Fitzgerald running a staggering 12 mins 08 for U17 women for 3886 metres taking Exeter from 7th to first on the final leg. Fred Jones from Wolverhampton likewise a cracking 12 mins 22 for Under 13 boys. Unbelievable running. All athletes ran the 3886 metres course.

Woodford enjoyed a good day of five teams in top 25 places, three in the top 20. Along with Chelmsford we were the only two Essex clubs competing against the best in England.

Under 13 Boys

Teddy Newson unfortunately was unwell before the start of his leg but wanted to run after consulting with Joe Everitt. Teddy was brave to even finish and ran 15 mins 57 to come in 47th Next away was Daniel Arnold who had an excellent run passing no fewer than 17 runners to bring us in 30th -15 mins 01s was Daniel’s time. On the final leg Sebastian Reid who trains with coach Alistair improved the Woodies to 25th This was a great effort from the lads who would have placed at least top 20 had Teddy been ok

Well done to them.

In the  B team Stephen Ng probably had his best race to date with a pleasing 15 mins 18s for 38th. Charlie Howes and Toby Taylor ran identical times of 16 mins 09s for their legs, bringing the team in 37th.These boys are enjoying their running which is the most important aspect.

Under 13 Girls

Autumn Le Chevalier-Jones like last year took the first leg. The opposition was much tougher than a year ago and Autumn rose to the challenge placing 21st in 15 mins 26s, some 47 seconds quicker than last year. Phoebe Edmondson gave up her football match to support the Woodettes and on her debut ran well to record 17 mins 08s to come in 29th. Jasmine Hall took on the final leg to climb no fewer than 13 places in recording 15 mins 01s to come in 16th. Jasmine's time was 6th fastest on her leg and 26th overall from the 200 Under 13 girls that ran.

Isla Fulling had a good run for 16 mins 49s on the first leg on the B team to come in 43rd. Melissa Higgs-Smith only just started senior school a few weeks ago and ran 18 mins 32sfor the second leg to come in 45th. Likewise the same applies to Sophia Parker who ran an excellent 17 mins 02s to climb seven places. The latter two girls played a big part in the U11s winning the Met League team event last year.

Under 15 Boys

Harry Stockill took care of stage one and although only 45th he ran no less than 45 seconds quicker than last year as an Under 13 lad. Harry ran 13 mins 55s. Next up was his training partner making his WGEL debut for Road/Xcountry Luka Norden. Luka ran an excellent leg in 13 mins 35s to move up 12 places to 33rd  Both Luka and Harry are bottom year runners which is significant in this age group. Josh Ssempiira was making his WGEL debut and moved up another place in 14 mins 38s bringing in the team in 32nd .

Max Koschek ran the first leg for the B team and as he is really an 800 metre runner he should feel pleased with 14 mins 49s, a good run placing 67th.  Oliver Brown another bottom year runner held that position with 15 mins 44s with Patrick Hayden improving six places in 15.54 for his stint.  Well done all six lads in this age group.

Under 15 Girls

Molly Sherrin took leg one and despite being in the Watford FC Academy Molly still supports WGEL on very limited training. Molly was gutsy and tenacious to bring the club home in 32nd in 15 mins 08s. Next away was another debutant this time joining us only a month ago Bethan-Rose Davies. Bethan’s run is best described as a “blinder” Bethan attacked hard right from the start and passed no fewer than 20 athletes bringing us in 12th place. Her time of 14 mins 16s was the 3rd fastest on her leg and 22nd overall on the day from 200 runners. Our National U15 800 metres bronze medalist Natasha Wynn took the final leg. On a course that is not an 800 metres runner's cup of tea Natasha ran really well to improve to 11th. Both the last two runners are once again bottom year runners. Worth also noting this team ran a minute faster than our U15 girls of 2019 but were three places worse off. Such is the standard of youth running these days.

Matilda Frith took leg one for the other team. A great club athlete that Matilda is she ran well for 16 mins 42s for 62nd. Tess Noblett was satisfied with her run on leg two taking over no less than eight runners for 54th in 16 mins 30s. Summer Maw, another WGEL debutant, ran really well for 16 mins 20 seconds to take four more runners for 48th

Well done all six girls.

Under 17 Women

Emily Caton also ran a “blinder” by placing 19th in the first leg in 14 mins 24s, some 78 seconds quicker than last year. Kezia Beeton, now in a netball academy, had her fastest run on this course despite limited training to record 14 mins 56s to improve to 18th. Abigail Reid, after a hugely busy week with various school events, had a great run despite all this. Abigail took six places recording 14 mins 21s which was the 7th fastest on her leg.

A great team performance.

Under 17 Men

Injuries and illness meant we only had one team. Jimmy Geller having missed much training recently due to minor niggles was brave just to start, but we know what a great team player Jimmy is and despite all this still ran 12 mins 20s for the 3886 metres circuit to come in 22nd. Nathan Wright free from injury now had a great run to move up two places to 20th in 13 mins 11s although his Strava recorded 12 mins 58. Chris Richardson a triathlete is also in fine form ran 13 mins 06s to come in 21st.

A fine showing from our lads against top opposition.