VPH Go West for Gold at the North London XC Championships 2024

With spikes polished and vests freshly laundered, 19 runners took the long journey from East London to Wormwood Scrubs on the misty and mild morning of Saturday 26th October. 

All arrived in good time, with notable mentions for Russell Toone who bore a box of freshly baked brownies, and Clare H-M* who raised eyebrows when she described jumping a high wall to enter the park (the nearest wall being that of Wormwood Scrubs prison).

Conditions were good; no rain and mostly solid underfoot, but still worthy of spikes. The course consisted of one small loop of the pancake flat Scrubs, then three larger laps – 8km in total for both women and men. 

A brilliant set of results reflects the strength and depth of running at VPH, with our women’s A team bringing home the 1st women’s team trophy, and our B team coming 3rd overall. Captain Jade Dos Santos fought a close battle for first place, crossing the line just 4 seconds behind the overall winner from Serpentine. Not only did four VPH ladies place within the top 10, but for some, this was their first foray into cross country racing, including Olivia Nugent who took up running in May this year and placed 35th overall.

The men ran hard against strong competition from Heathside, Serpentine and the Met Police, with Joe Walker 2nd overall, and Joe Dale placing 1st Masters and 7th overall (despite wearing track spikes and no socks; “every millimeter counts”). Captain James Hirst, carrying York Marathon in his legs, came 40th overall, and special mention goes to Gavin Gilbert who recently completed the VPH couch to 5k programme, and is now a regular fixture at cross-country events.