Chingford League 2024-25: Race 1, Hogg Hill
The opening fixture of the 2024-25 Chingford League was held on Tuesday 8th Oct at Redbridge Cycle Center. The league has seen a dramatic increase in participation in recent years and over 80 Woodford athletes competed on the night.
The local venues and a mix of terrains over the 6 fixtures (held between Oct-Feb) are a big pull. Over the season, athletes race on grass at Dagenham (2nd Nov), Trent Park (23rd Nov) and Epping (18th Jan) and on tarmac at the Olympic Velodrome (11th Dec) and Victoria Park (1st Feb). The league also offers something for all abilities. From beginners to experienced racers, with clubs in pursuit of team league championships and individuals contesting their own medals over the six fixtures.
As a reminder, in the individual competition athletes score points depending on their place in each race. The race winner scores 20 points. The runner-up scores 19 points and an athlete in 20thplace scores 1 point. At the end of the season an athlete’s points, from their best 5 race results (from maximum of 6) are added up. The winner is the athlete with highest number of points.
The League competition is based on the cumulative score of a club's “A Team”. The A team is a club's first 4 athletes past the post in each race. The club with the highest points from its first 4 athletes scores 20 points. The runners-up 19 points. The club with the highest number of points over all 6 fixtures wins the league.
Opening Fixture – Hogg Hill
This season’s opener was held under floodlights on the tarmac at Redbridge Cycle Centre, “Hogg Hill”. This is a hilly course. The U11 &U13 race was ~1800m. The U15-Seniors races was ~5km.
Race Reports
Seniors - Zoe Watson (W40) was an impressive 12th, mproving on her time from last year by over 60s (21:51). Woodford’s winter team manager Kate Stockings was 58th, with team-mate Gillian Whelan in 106th. In the Men’s race Christopher Hogg was 79th on his return to racing. Richard Hogg (M50) was 167th and Paul Stockings (M60) 190th with Roger Green (M70) in 227th overall.
U17 Boys - William Muffett secured a fine victory in a sprint finish ahead of Lindsell (Enfield) running 17mins 06s. Aidan O’Driscoll (4th) was next home in 18mins27s, followed by Oliver Clifton (6th) making his debut and Sid Smith (10th) who completed the team. Woodford won the fixture ahead of Enfield & Haringey.
U17 Girls - Matilda Frith (2nd) was first home for Woodford in 24mins 41s just behind winner Charlotte Plamer (Loughton AC). Juliet Taylor (4th) followed Matilda home in 26mins 02s. Without a third runner the girls failed to complete a team but still finished second behind Loughton AC overall.
U15 Boys - Stephen Ng won his first race, taking the tape in 18mins 52s and finishing well clear of runner up Barney Perkins (IAC). This was a great performance from Stephen who has been training very well. Miles Braysher (5th) made a great debut finishing just ahead of team- mate Zac Freedman (6th). Emmanuel Olabanji (11th) and Ethan Withfield (15th) completed the team.Woodford won the fixture ahead of Loughton AC.
U15 Girls - Sophia Parker (2nd) ran an excellent 22mins 19s and was runner up behind Janga Falkowski (Trent Park). Isla Barron made the podium and showing great improvement driven by consistent training.
Alice Padian (4th) was next home leading a pack of Woodford girls with Fiona Yip (6th), Marissa Higgs-Smith (8th), Freya Barbieri (10th), Anna Jaramillo-Obcowska (11th) and Tayla Aldekomo (12th) completing the team. Woodford won the fixture ahead of Orion Harriers.
U13 Boys - Eric Frithwon the race in 6mins 24s. Eric led from the start with a terrific run and was well clear of runner-up Khalif Ali (IAC). Daniel Hayden (6th) continued his fabulous progress with a strong run. Team-mates Oscar Langston (7th) and Woody Qureshi (8th) made good season debuts and were followed by Ashton Jokhiya (11th), Austin Smith (13th), Jackson Samian (15th) and Finley Witchell (16th). Woodford won the fixture ahead of Loughton AC.
U13 Girls - Grace Cherry took a superb victory in a sprint finish, beating Marguerite Lindsell (Enfield) by one second (6mins 24s). Poppy Barker (3rd) had a great debut taking a place on the podium in her first race in a Woodford vest.
A fantastic group of young Woodford athletes followed led by Lottie Oates (4th) with Chloe Summers (5th), Isabella Lester (6th), Rosie Anderson (7th), Maia Lalani (8th), Aoife Pearce (9th), Rosie Muffett (10th), Kehanique Lowe (11th), Jessica Daza (15th) and Nia Patel (16th) completing the team.Woodford won the fixture ahead of Enfield & Harringay.
U11 Boys - Jack Tonge (2nd) opened his winter with a fantastic run (6mins 47s). He was runner-up behind Lukas Vernal (Orion). Jax Connor (3rd) opened his account with a very good run and a place on the podium. Jessie Geller (5th) had a good run, leading his team mates home with Albie Ellingham (6th), George Davies (7th), Lukas Sender (8th), Leo Ciarlet (9th), Alexander Burgess (10th), Patrick Langan (11th), James Fall (12th), Luke Foley (13th), Kai Patel (15th), Zachary Paktsun (16th), Dylan Williams (17th), Luca Cook (18th), James Tattersall (20th), Luke Bachmann (21st), Joel Forder (23rd), Sam Spence (24th), Charlie Tong (25th), Riyan Chowdhury (26th), Idris Bernard (30th), Noah Parker (35th), Leonardo Chemi (36th), Samuel Etheridge (37th), Miles Czeczotka (40th), Aiden Chowdhury (41st), William Taylor (42nd) and Cohen Matfield (44th) completing the team.Woodford won the fixture ahead of Orion Harriers.
U11 Girls - Chloe Ward (7mins 01s) continued her progress from the summer and was runner-up to winner Alice Clements (Enfield) who finished one second ahead. Rosie Barron (3rd) ran well and deserved her podium place with team-mate Phoebe Quorn (4th) in hot pursuit. Kaya Affleck (5th), Angelica Povilaitis (6th) and Isabella Lake (10th) were close behind with great runs on their debuts.
They were followed home by a brilliant group of young athletes, many racing for the first time; Romi Jonker (12th), Dulcie Qureshi (13th), Adriana McNally (14th) Reeva Vora (15th), Nola Glover-Hammond (16th), Esme Cherry (18th), Bella Judge (20th), Lula Qureshi (22nd) and Chloe Zenios (23rd). Woodford won the fixture ahead of Eton Manor AC
Summary
The team had a terrific start to their Chingford League season and take early leads into the next fixture in most of the age groups. A big thank you to all the parents and volunteers that helped get the athletes to the race. It’s never easy midweek and in damp conditions. That commitment will stand the team in great stead for the rest of the season!
Next Chingford League: Saturday 2nd November at Dagenham County Park