Sweatshop Men's Surrey CC League, Division One, Race 2, Coulsdon

Not so "Happy Valley"

Coulsdon might have come earlier in the season than usual but it produced its normal low take-up among Belgrave runners. Hallowed cross country ground Farthing Downs and Happy Valley might be, but there is definitely a feeling that this course with its flinty, rutty and rooty section, where ankles are already under strain thanks to the camber, is something to be avoided.

Unfortunately Phil Wicks, winner though he was in the end, wonders whether he will run this one again. He suffered from a turned ankle on lap one, having broken clear of the field with guesting Huw Lobb (Bedford &C). Ignoring the pain he pushed on for a second lap and took 60 metres out of Huw but only a jog was possible the following day and no running at all the day after. Phil is obviously in good shape in spite of his recent shin splints and cold but the problems keep stacking up against him as he targets the ever-nearing U23 European Trial. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

John Kimaiyo was our second man for most of the race but, suffering on the far side of the final lap, found himself being swept up by the Skipper whose command to, "stick with me!" was willingly taken up. A powerful descent to the finish had the two of them racing it out and into the funnel almost together. Will was pleased to have edged Thames rival Nick Altmann ... and then came Tom Ellacott with a tremendous run.

Herne Hill are on a Surrey League roll and by now they had swamped the finish funnel with five men in before double figures had been reached and their ten men home in 26; we were having to wait a little longer. Mark Humphrey, taking a break from the "Run Fat Boy Run" film set was delighted to have the beating of Knut Hegvold for his highest ever league place. Then behind Warren Lynch and James Fairbourn, Robert Norville DID make the ten this time - as did Matthew Taylor.

So, we reach the halfway stage over 400 points adrift of Herne Hill and the league seems pretty much sorted with Dulwich doomed to return to Division Two. But there's always a challenge to take up. Next race is on our home course, the other side of Christmas, where it would be nice to move back into second spot.

Senior Men. 5.44 miles. 1 P Wicks (Belgrave) 27:51; 2 H Lobb (guest) 28:04, 3 I Lockett (Herne Hill) 28:21; 17 J Kimaiyo 30:00; 18 W Cockerell 30:00; 20 T Ellacott 30:21; 39 M Humphrey 31:32; 41 K Hegvold 31:35; 48 W Lynch 32:03; 60 J Fairbourn U20 32:30; 92 R Norville 34:51; 113 M Taylor 36:42; 132 H Corbett 38:17; 139 P Cross 38:50;145 L Rehn M40 39:44; 154 finished.

Teams: 1 Herne Hill H 130; 2 Thames H&H 268; 3 Belgrave H 396; 4 Reigate Priory AC 419; 5 Ranelagh H 430; 6 South London H 569; 7 Guildford &G AC 571; 8 Stragglers 607; 9 Dulwich R 705.

Overall: 1 Herne Hill H 287; 2 Thames H&H 663; 3 Belgrave 710; 4 Ranelagh H 808; 5 South London H 1021; 6 Reigate Priory AC 1026; 7 Stragglers AC 1106; 8 Guildford &G AC 1175; 9 Dulwich R 1394.

U17/U15. 2.72 miles. 1 D Altendorf (SLH U17); 6 S Etem (HHH 1st U15) 16:59; 10 J Taylor-Holland (4th U15) 17:40.

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