Chingford League (Race 2)–Olympic Dreams!
WGEL Juniors (U11-U15) headed to the Olympic Park On Wed 12th Oct for the first midweek fixture of this season's Chingford League. The race was held under floodlights at VeloPark in Stratford. It is a spectacular setting and over 250 athletes across ages were attracted to the venue to compete for their clubs.
Mild-weather provided good race conditions. The smooth tarmac surface looked enticing. However, the 2km course for U11-U13 and 5km for U15-U17 athletes is deceptive. It features two long, hilly sections on each loop (1.5km) as well as some longer track-like sections of smooth tarmac.
WGEL juniors performed very well in the opening fixture and a good mix of experienced and novice runners set themselves up on the start line for race 2!
Results: http://chingfordleague.co.uk/this-years-results/
U15 Girls
WGEL athlete Matilda Frith (1st) took victory over the 5km course (21:38). Matilda missed Race 1 due to London Mini Marathon. She enjoyed her comeback finishing just ahead of Lizzie Knapman (2rd, Loughton AC). These two enjoy a great friendly rivalry. Charlotte Palmer (3rd Loughton AC) completed the top three.
WGEL athlete Ella Traynor (4th) ran well and is closing gaps on those ahead. Ella ran 22:30, knocking 1min 20s off her previous best. Next home for WGEL wereJuliet Taylor (6th) and Darcey Mackenzie (8th), both continue to progress and were pleased with top ten finishes.
U15 Boys
William Muffett (Orion) won the race in a good time of 18mins 23s. Oliver Brown (5th) was WGEL's first home in a good tussle with Ryder Islam (2nd Ilford AC), Gabriel Buckley (3rd Loughton AC) and Henry Gillman (4th Orion Harriers). Just 7 seconds separated these boys at the finish.
Yuvan Kumar (6th) was next in for WGEL. Yuvan is a keen hockey player. This restricts his weekend racing but he enjoyed this midweek run out! Aiden O’Driscoll (7th) continued his progress with a good run closely followed by team-mate Joseph Arnold (15th) who completed the WGEL line-up.
U13 Boys
U11 and U13 athletes set off together, 300m behind the senior women and U15/U17 race who set off together. It is an amazing sight with everyone poised for the starters’ pistol, but also hectic getting 100 juniors to synch with seniors and get to the line on-time!
WGEL athlete Daniel Arnold (1st) took victory in U13 Boys race, running 7mins 25s for 2km. Daniel finished ahead of team-matesStephen Ng (2nd) and Callum Clydesdale (3rd). This was great running from these boys, finishing ahead of last year’s winner Rory Willis (4th Heathside). Stephen even managed despite losing a shoe!
WGEL's Teddy Newson (5th) led a good pack behind these leaders with Toby Taylor (8th), Giorgio Francescoti (9th), Charlie Howes (10th) and Lucas freedman (11th). It was good to see Giorgio back in a WGEL vest. He has weekend commitments (football) but loves to race when the gets the chance!
Behind these boys were: Tayo Adetona (15th), Zac Everitt (16th), Okkie Lee (18th), Benjamin Osakue (23rd) and Eddie Pamment (26th).
U13 Girls
WGEL athlete Jasmine Hall won the race in 7mins 21s (2km). This was 20 seconds quicker than her victory here last year! Behind Jasmine, WGEL’s Isla Fulling (2nd) and Faye Owers (3rd) ran really well. They looked superb working together and these three completed a clean sweep of the podium for WGEL.
The great runs did not finish there. Sophia Parker (4th) and Marissa Higgs-Smith (5th) both finished ahead of Race 1 winner, Pia Trautmansdorf (6thOrion). Behind these leaders, a terrific pack of WGEL girls followed. Isla Barron (9th) led with Isabella Wheatley (11th), Isabella Moulton (13th), Tyleah Edwards (14th), Emily Stockill (15th), Hannah Richards (16th) and Eliya Fabian (19th) completing the WGEL squad.
U11 Boys
Eric Frith (1st) claimed a well-deserved victory. Eric set off in determined fashion and held his position for the whole race, running 8mins 19s (2km). Behind Eric, Oliver Bloom (2nd Loughton AC) and WGEL's Henry Richards (3rd) had a great race. Finishing neck and neck (8mins 28s) they completed the podium places.
Right behind, Ayden Taylor (5th), Jax Connor (6th), Jack Arnold (6th) and Woody Qureshi (9th) again packed superbly for WGEL. Two athletes from Orion and Loughton then separated these boys from another great pack of WGEL juniors: Leo Ciarlet (13th), Patrick Langan (14th), Harry McNally (15th), Felix Brown (16th), Daniel Hayden (17th), Jesse Geller (18th), Blake Edwards (19th), Jack Tonge (20th), AJ Moulton (22nd), Idris Bernard (26th), Harry Judge (27th), Josh Housden (29th), Ahliian Baskaradas (30th), Luke John (31st), Luca Cook (32nd), Noah Parker (34th) and Adam Osakue (35th).
U11 Girls
It was welcome return for WGEL's Gracie Fayinka (2nd). Gracie, like many juniors, has lots of sport commitments but will race whenever she can. This was Gracie's first race of season and she flew round in 9mins 4s (2km) to finish just 4 seconds behind winner Chloe Summers (Orion). Isla Hall (3rd) was next home for WGEL, emulating her sister Jasmine with a great debut run!
Team-mates Grace Cherry (4th) and Mayowa Alake (6th) were just behind these leaders, with Rosie Barron (7th), Bonnie Harte (9th), Oliva Jonker (13th),Rosie Anderson (14th), Simi Adetonya (18th), Alessia Wright (20th), Romi Jonker (23rd) and Amelia Bhudia (27th) completing the team's scorers.
Summary
Once again WGEL juniors excelled in this league, not only in terms of results but as a team. Many of these juniors are WASP graduates or have track and field preferences but are finding their endurance feet and enjoy being on the cross country team. The positive, can-do attitudes continue to impress the whole coaching team.
It’s also great to see the athletes' families come together and enjoy watching the juniors race, having fun and competing as a team. Athletics is a long-term game. Fun and enjoyment helps consistency and that’s one of the many keys to development!
Next Chingford league race – Tues 1st November at Hogg Hill (Redbridge Cycle Centre) at 7pm