Race report: Middlesex 10k, Victoria Park
Gavin LauThe club was proud to host the Middlesex 10k Championship race, held in Victoria Park. Over 150 runners from more than a dozen clubs took to the line. There were over 30 runners from VPH&THAC with significant entries from Middlesex County clubs including London Heathside AC, Serpentine AC and Queens Park Harriers.
There was a buzz in the air on the start line, the anticipation of a fast race but the need to control the pace. You can be teetering on the edge of “I can hold this” whilst sensing the abyss of “gone out too fast, need to slow down”.
Full results and organiser write up here.
Women
The first female to cross the line was a standout young U18 athlete from Dacorum AC, India Frost, finishing 18th overall (36:59). Followed by Carole Coulon, a FV45 masters runner representing Blackheath & Bromley Harriers, 22nd overall (37:17). The podium was rounded off by Chiara Borg, a London Heathside runner, 37th overall (39:20). Congratulations to our amazing women’s captain, Lily Zechmann who was 4th lady / first senior Middlesex female / 46th overall (39:54). Lily deserves an extra mention since she’d spent the hours and days before the start coordinating many aspects of the race, ensuring all went smoothly so much respect goes to Lily. Just behind Lily was Chloe Hamard, also of VPH&THAC (40:00). Other notable results for our women include a great 40.24 from Cat O’Shea, and longstanding club member, Jo Singer who was first FV50 (41:32), while Hazel Norton-Hale was 2nd FV40 (42:15). Congratulations to all our women!
Men
A strong performance from Matthew Rallison of Heathside AC secured his victory in 32:15. He was hoping to dip under 32 mins apparently but is look forward to representing his club at the National Road Relays in the coming weekend. Two athletes from Serpentine AC completed the podium, Nicholas Besson (32:24) and Fred Smithers (32:25). And the club’s own Joe Dale was seconds behind in fourth place (32:47). Strong performance from club mate David Jones (35:15) also making the Top 10.
Teams
The club’s women demonstrated their strength taking both the Overall and Masters designations. Our men can be proud of their 1st place in the M40 category and 2nd place overall teams, plus a noteworthy 3rd place in the M50 category. Doubtless there were many other great performances, PBs and SBs on the day, with an equally good buzz in the finish funnel at the end of the race. There was the usual award ceremony in the clubhouse to finish the proceedings, our club secretary Vendy Dohnalova collecting a number of medals in absentia of the winners; these will be handed over in due course.
As always, tasty cakes and refreshing tea was on offer and much appreciated, so thanks to all those involved for your time and generosity, and to the many volunteers setting up/marshalling the course and managing the finish, plus the admin that often goes unnoticed but is so necessary to ensure we all get to run safely. Special mention for Major Carr, who was both the race referee and does so much behind the scenes with Tower Hamlets council to ensure the club can host races such as these.
Finally a singular shout-out to Mordi who assisted a member of the public named Kim (doing a sponsored walk for Cancer Research), who’d happened to fall in the park whilst the race was taking place. Mordi kindly dressed her wound and fetched the race paramedic who was able to take care of her. Kim asked me to pass on her gratitude to a helpful Harrier. So thank you Mordi!
Words by Russell Toone & Simeon Bennett
Overall results:
Women – Overall
1 VPH&THAC
2 London Heathside
Women – Masters
1 VPH&THAC
2 London Heathside
3 Queens Park
Men – Overall
1 London Heathside
2 VPH&THAC
3 Serpentine
4 Shaftesbury Barnet
5 Queens Park
Men – Masters – M40
1 VPH&THAC
2 London Heathside
3 Queens Park
Men – Masters – M50
1 London Heathside
2 Queens Park
3 VPH&THAC
