Parliament Hill provided its usual testing course on a day when many of our athletes produced excellent runs, but through a combination of injuries and swimming galas we were not able to secure the elusive silverware.

The senior women’s event produced the best results of the day. Alexa Joel ran strongly throughout and for much of the race was in the bronze medal position. Unfortunately she could not quite hold on to that position and had to settle for fourth. Lauren Deadman ran her best ever Southern Senior Championship race showing grit and determination to come in 7^th and with Debbie Appleton returning to her form of old showing the resolve to make the top 20 in 19^th place the short-handed team was left wondering “what if?”

In the combined under 17 and under 20 race, Robyn Matson again demonstrated her liking for this course with an excellent 10^th and Katie Richardson fought bravely for her 48^th place among the U20s. Similarly there were only two athletes in the under 17 section Gemma Phillips (67^th) and Alex Beard (95^th) both as usual giving there all in the gruelling mud and should be well pleased with their positions in the race led by international Steph Twell.

The second race of the day had seen the under 13 girls take a very creditable ninth place. In a race dominated by Aldershot, Farnham and District, they were able to beat AFD’s second team, which is no mean feat. The leading Havering Mayesbrook pair of Amanda Blaxland (41^st) and Rebecca Stanley (44^th) battled through an unfamiliarly tough course to make the top 50. As usual they were supported by the reliable running of Shannon Sullivan (73^rd), Hannah Bloy (110^th) and Avril Loynes ((136^th), who ran bravely while nursing an injury and finished in the First Aid tent.

The under 15 girls team did somewhat better with a seventh place finish in spite of missing two regular team members. Eleanor Bounds led the team home in a very good 13^th place. Rachel Sadler (36^th) looked increasing strong as the race progressed. Without the steadfast support of Amber Turner (99^th), Sharmila Golan (110^th) and Michelle Lovell (153^rd) the team could not have competed at this level and achieve a top 10 position for the club.

Grant Twist's strong running earned him ninth place and led the U17 Men to place 10^th. Daniel Shanney in 59^th John Whitehead 79^th and Thomas Shanney in 93^rd completed the scoring four. Ross Clarke started well in the junior men's race but found the heavy mud tiring and slipped back to a very good 14^th.  The U13 boys placed 25^th, but found the going tough. Ryan O’Mahoney was first to cross the line in 62^nd, and Tyler Bennett in 115^th, Thomas Davis (175^th) and Finbar Smyth (199^th) will have gained useful experience.   Jamie Buckley Stanton led home the incomplete U15 boys’ team in 34^th. Dean Leftley (121^st) and Matthew Lattimer (220^th) provided support.

Only two of the senior men’s team braved the hilly nine muddy miles of Parliament Hill. Rob Warner facing his nemesis of two years ago took the first lap steady and worked his way through the pack to come home in a good 79^th place. The only other senior to start, Tony Collins produced a solid performance to take 373rd place. A very enjoyable day a pity so many of the team decided against it.  

Link to full results                           

Under 13 Girls: 41^st - Amanda Blaxland 13:55; 44^sth Becky Stanley 13:57; 73^rd  - Shannon Sullivan 14:30; 96^th;  110^th Hannah Bloy 15:01(Team 9th) 136^th  - Avril Loynes 15:28

Under 15 Girls:  13^th - Eleanor Bounds 18:48; 36^th -  Rachel Sadler 19:37; 99^th Amber Turner 21:21; 110^th  - Sharmila Golan 21:43; (Team 7th)  153^rd - Michelle Lovell  23:39;

Under 17 Women 67^th - Gemma Phillips 24:33;  95^th – Alex Beard 26:56

Under 20 Women  10^th – Robyn Matson 21:14;  48^th – Katie Richardson 24:57;

Senior Women: 4^th  - Alexa Joel 32:35; 7^th  - Lauren Deadman 33:17; 19^th - Debbie Appleton 35:14

Under 13 Boys: 62^nd  - Ryan O'Mahoney 13:05; 115^th  - Tyler Bennett 13:45; 175^th - Thomas Davis 14:24; 199^th- Finbar Smyth 15:26 (Team 25th)

Under 15 Boys:  34^th  - Jamie Buckley-Stanton 19:12; 121^st - Dean Leftley 20:45; 220^th  - Mathew Lattimer 24:06

Under 20 Men:  14th - Ross Clarke 30:30

Senior Men: 79^th - Rob Warner 53:29; 373^rd – Tony Collins 63:32.