Farringdon XC Relays, 1st September 2024
The opener to this year’s cross-country season saw Claremont entering 2 teams, one of each sex.
The ladies were off first – and what a team! Showing true Claremont spirit, all 3 ladies had made a special effort to get there. First off was Sarah Kerr, who led the team despite having had a couple of stitches following a minor op the day before. Sarah handed over to Lena Lou, who had stepped in as a late substitute and is herself recovering from injury. Holly Porter took the final leg despite having returned from New York on an overnight flight and then travelling up from London. In fact, Lena had started running before Holly arrived! A truly remarkable effort from all 3.
There was much less drama in the men’s team selection. Harry Mawdsley absolutely smashed the first leg, despite running 19 miles the day before as part of his marathon training, and handed over to Anton Mirafsari. Anton was out of the blocks like Usain Bolt, but soon settled to a more realistic pace and passing the baton to Howard MacLennan. Poor Howard had to run through an unexpected shower of rain, which didn’t help the mood of myself and the other runners waiting in the pen to run the 4th and final leg!
By the time that I started the field was well spread out and it was only as I was emerging from the wooded section that I saw another runner. Realising he was going slowly, I knew that I would catch him, which I duly did just as we reached the infamous ditch. He actually stopped dead in his tracks, before slowly stepping down, then over and out, so I had to be patient and follow him. It was a few more strides before I could actually get past, then I was once again running alone, around the bend, up the grassy hill, turn again and down the straight to the finish line.
Farringdon is a nice course, offering a mix of grass and woodland trails. It is constantly undulating but has no major climbs and, of course, there is the stream/ditch to cross. As we only have to run one lap, it is great introduction to cross-country running and I would highly recommend it – hopefully we can have more teams next year.
| Women | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runners | Time |
| 33 | Sarah Kerr Lena Lou Holly Porter Team Time | 11:34 20:33 13:34 45:41 |
| Men | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runners | Time |
| 24 | Harry Mawdsley Anton Mirafsari Howard MacLennan Tom Tinsley Team Time | 09:48 11:20 14:05 11:58 47:11 |
