Reigate Priory Relays

Hurrah! We did it!

Yes, at last a team gold medal for the Belles, and what a well deserved medal it was. On a lovely, clear, windless day, the Belles took over in the absence of our men's team and brought home the top prize in the Reigate relays. And not only did we have an outstanding A team, and a B team which finished in 22nd place, but we also managed to field the 2 fastest athletes of the day. The dilemma now is: is it lucky President Don Anderson who's helped the girls win, or perhaps the presence of the lucky tea urn? Either way, both will be expected to attend all races from now on….

Leg 1

Louise Cooper took the start for the A team in her first Reigate outing and pulled the Belles into a good solid position, bringing the team home in 5th place, meaning that a win was definitely possible. Only a couple of minutes behind, team manager Catherine Eastham nervously took part in her first race in club colours for some time. The lead runners were from Ranelagh and South London (details not known yet).
L.Cooper (5) 17:09; C.Eastham (24) 19:08

Leg 2

Tilly Heaton had been moved onto second leg as Angela Walker had phoned to announce that she might be late due to traffic. Taking off in 5th place Tilly's speed work for the National relays the week before started to show as she picked off three strong runners ahead to bring the Belles back in 2nd place, less than 10 seconds behind Ranelagh. Jo Patterson (nee Poloni), enjoying this cross country season and particularly the Reigate course, set off well and maintained the B team's mid 20's position.
M.Heaton (2) 16:22 33:31; J.Patterson (28) 23:03 42:11.

Leg 3

With Angela Walker, our in form athlete, having less than 10 seconds to gain to pass Ranelagh's lead, we knew it would need nothing less than a major disaster for the race not to be won. Angela dug in, and managed to gain over a minute over Ranelagh, although South London also managed to pull ahead a place. Angela's mate, Nikki Hull, a new Belgrave recruit, proved she will make a valuable contribution to the team in subsequent races, gaining 6 places to bring the B team home in 22nd.
A.Walker (1) 16:07 49:38; N.Hull (22) 18:56 61:07.

1 Belgrave A 49:38; 2 South London H 50:22; 3 Ranelagh 50:43; 22 Belgrave B 61:07.

Fastest: 1 A.Walker (Belgrave) 16:07; =2 M.Heaton (Belgrave) and S.Seal (Ranelagh) 16:22.

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.