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Ahh, the National, sweet National - February 27, 2006
Ahh, the National, sweet National. What a fickle beast. I love it so much and always enter with such high hopes, only for the same thought to be with me a mile or so in: "Oh God, just let me finish..." Of my eight consecutive frolics only one has been a blinder - my first, when, as a relative newcomer, I felt I could run all day and kept wishing that the tremendous competition would never end. Since then delusions of grandeur set in: this is a race I could actually do well in! I thought, after my tasty debut in 278th place... But the National requires impeccable technique, pedigree and fitness, and you don't break into the promised land of the top 60 unless you've got at least one of the above. The first two are beyond me, but the last I can do ... one day. And this loophole is what makes running such a great sport: anyone, potentially could excel.
A spanking field
What a spanking field it was at Parly Hill. Mays 34th, Hennessy 49th, Major 83rd... Wow. And then there was the fellow who refused to greet me at Kentish Town Tube because the level of dedication required to reach his standard did not permit him to fraternize with the likes of me. And he finished in three figures. My great thanks to all who were there: 15 starters - the most in our 119 year history by two! Well done to the gutsy girls, and humble thanks to the support staff. Pat, your lemon cake has me hallucinating... oh when will I see her again? Man of the match for Saturday? At first glance a very tricky decision, but then blindingly obvious. It goes to the fallen soldier who was so cruelly and bloodily cut down in the trenches... A hat-trick of awards now for our Lee.
Six top 10 finishes for the Bels in the National this Millennium
So... that's six top 10 finishes for the Bels in the National this Millennium. A very juicy stat. And it has me thinking... We must be right up there with the most consistent 'National' clubs of the 21st Century. A glance back through the years supports this. My analysis tells me: There are 5 clubs who have now separated themselves from the rest of the field. The surprise is that cross-country giants Morpeth and Bingley aren't among them. But for some reason they have gone AWOL at the National in recent years. Shaftesbury press their noses up against the glass but also pay for their inconsistency. Special mentions go to Altrincham, Notts, AFD and Blackheath... So who are the big 5? Well, there's an almighty battle between clubs 4 and 5 for who takes which spot, but due to our lacklustre '03 National, it's Bedford who edge out Belgrave for fourth spot. We have our sacred win though, while Bedford oddly enough haven't medalled, but do have four top 5 finishes and have never been out of the top ten. (Oh for Huw Lobb on Saturday!) Another almighty battle occurs between clubs 2 and 3. They have both totted up a mere 35 points in National finishes this decade. But Tipton get the nod over Salford for two wins to Salford's one. And you needn't have me tell you who wins by a country mile. Check out Leeds' sequence: 5th, 4th, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 1st. Pretty incredible.
Goodbye for now then, from the French Alps where I write. In my next dispatch I shall be stoking the fires of debate by presenting my vote for who I believe to be the greatest road-relay runner in British athletics' history.
