Congratulations to our Southern 6-stage team - September 25, 2005

Many congratulations to our Southern 6-stage team, who, after several weeks of selection headaches and drop-outs, all came good on the day.  Four years ago we briefly threatened to take the lead at this race, before spluttering to the bronze.  Grrr, would we ever win one of the big road relays?  Here’s our sequence of results since: 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1.  Herne Hill and South London have defeated us at the Surreys; Morpeth at Mansfield; and of course that body-blow by Aldershot at the National 12.  But there’s no denying that Wells hit us hard yesterday and it wasn’t until deep into leg 5 that we finally felt safe.  I actually owe a lot of my running heritage to Wells.  My ex-step-uncle is their member of parliament, and it was at his Scottish hunting lodge in the early 1980s that I first started to tinker with a morning run before breakfast.  Wells put out a very fine team yesterday and should now be recognized as one of the big-hitters in the South.

Baby-b's have their chance ...

So the ‘Baby-b’s’ have their chance to sample the delights of the National 6-stage…  I’ve been trying all century to run in this event but the manager has always stood firm – bless him!  But I now greatly look forward to competing in this dramatic race with its unique atmosphere over that oh-so-challenging course.  Who wants to join me?  If you’d like to be part of what could be an historic day for the Bels, be sure to let A.R.M. know. 

We shall only maintain our winning streak by pulling together and building on the tremendous team spirit so evident yesterday.  Such is the nature of this tough, unpredictable sport that our set-up is always fragile.  Lose a couple of big guns and we’re vulnerable to anyone, but we go to Sutton on October 22 to seek five wins in a row.  It’s going to be a huge challenge and lady luck must remain a loyal companion.

Hurricane Simon set to batter Bels

But before all that the Surrey cross-country League kicks off in Brockwell Park on October 8.  If Dave Symons was an effective and successful captain for Thames, he was a gentle sea breeze compared to the hurricane that is his replacement, Simon Wurr.  Intense and horrendously competitive, Si will not let the Surrey League go without a tremendous scrap; but after three fallow winters, we want that trophy back too.  We certainly have the manpower and the ability, all we need is the hunger and commitment.  And remember, Brockwell also kicks off the Magical Mystery Challenge, where a fabulous humdinger of a prize will be awarded to anyone who accumulates more points than me in the winter’s cross-country races.  But be warned: miss Brockwell and your task will be insurmountable!