Women’s Surrey CC League Division One, Match 1, Epsom Downs

Great start on the Downs for newly promoted Belles

With heavy rain overnight and early into the morning, it didn’t look too promising for the first race of the cross country season. Still, by the time spikes were donned, the weather had cleared and a large field of senior and vet athletes were raring to go.

With new rules about race safety it was essential that there were enough race marshals on the course, particularly as no-one seemed familiar with the course. The course itself seemed considerably longer than the usual league distance, with estimates at 6.5 – 7 km, which over the undulating Downs made for tough going.

There were a few organisational hitches too, with a 10 minute delay to the start as marshals were put into place and then at the end, many of the athletes weren’t directed into the finishing funnel until they’d almost run past it. But compared to previous years with youngsters going off-course, at least this first match ended without tears.

That almost wasn’t the case for Getenesh Tamirat though. Towards the end of the first large lap she was in second position. There seemed to be some miscommunication as a race marshal told her she was on the last bit, which Getenesh interpreted as being the end of the race. Picking up pace, spectators watched her take the lead and practically sprint to the end of the first lap, stopping for breath as she crossed what she thought was the finish line. Urged to carry on for another lap Getenesh’s confusion was apparent and picking up again for the second shorter lap her weariness could be seen by all. She carried on though and although she didn’t maintain the lead, with Thames Hare & Hound’s Dorothea Lee taking that honour, Getenesh did finish a strong second. Disappointment for her, but a great placing for the team.

Maria Sharp, back to fitness after a summer recovering from illness, was also on top form (despite underestimating the length of the course by one and a half miles!). At the end of the first lap, she led a group of four athletes, and despite still suffering from congestion was clearly comfortable with the pace. Finishing in 6th place, Maria managed to lose a couple of the earlier group and was pleased with her strong running.

With Tania Sturton coming through in 10th position, closely followed by Angela Walker, the team’s placing was looking good. We knew we weren’t going to win, with Thames Hare & Hounds finishing in 1st, 3rd, 4th, 33rd and 39th, but depending on our fifth runners’ position, we could gain second place. Not bad for a newly promoted club which was missing a large number of its top athletes.

New member Jan Whittington was our fifth runner home, happy to be in the points in her first outing in Belgrave colours. This brought the team home in 3rd place, with South London just one point ahead.

Late news: It seems that the TH&H 3rd placed runner was a non-scorer and once she was taken out of the result, Thames dropped back to 7th with South London now taking the lead and Belgrave just a point down.

The youngsters didn’t quite have as much success, with only Kirsty Burns turning out for the U13’s and sprinter Holly Gates for the U15’s. Still, the girls dug in over the one lap course and came home in 11th and 25th respectively.

1 South London H 82; 2 Belgrave H 83; 3 Ranelagh H 114; 4 Dulwich Runners 120; ... 18 Belgrave H B 439.

1 D.Lee (Thames H&H) 26.03; 2 G.Tamirat (Belgrave) 26:20; 3 L.Hassells (Thames H&H) 27:24; 6 M.Sharp 28:04; 10 T.Sturton 29:10; 12 A.Walker 29:17; 53 J.Whittington 33:37; 66 D.Hearn 35:18; 82 J.Poloni 38:00; 83 N.Mills 38:13; 94 division one athletes finished.

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