World Cross Country Gold Tour, Elgoibar, Spain (Sun. 5th Jan.)
The town of Elgoibar, in the Basque region of Northern Spain has held its now famous annual international cross country event ‘Juan Muguerza’ named after local runner Juan Maguerza, a multiple national champion who was killed in 1937 during the Spanish civil war. The competition was first held in 1943 between national level runners but changed in 1963 to an international event. The first foreign winner was Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia who went on to win three more times.
Congratulations to Holly Dixon, representing Team England, who produced a fantastic run to finish an excellent sixth in the women race which was won by 5km World Record holder Beatrice Chebet (KEN)
Lee Valley New Year's Open (Wed. 1st Jan.)
The 2025 season kicks off with the New Year's Open at Lee Valley. Ekene Ogbonna (U17) improved on his 60 metre PB from the Sutcliffe meet three days earlier, clocking 7.58s. Elijah Olaleye (U17) produced a fine run over 400 metres recording a new PB of 51.21s. Keziah Olaleye (U20) was also in PB form over 300 metres running 42:36s.
The Yeatman siblings ran the 800m, with Celia (U17) recording 2:29.02s, Seren (U15) 2:33.36s and Esther (U15) 2:39.36s. Wole Odele (M55) clocked 59:92s for 400 metres.
Kent Cross Country Championships, Brands Hatch (Sat. 4th Jan.)
The under 13 girls got proceedings underway in this year’s Championships for the younger age groups, writes Mark Newell. As usual, Charlotte Foster was in a battle for first place for the majority of the race with an athlete from Dartford Harriers, having, on this occasion, to settle for second. Great runs from the rest of the under 13 girls ensured the club picked up team gold. A special mention to Lizzie Sanders (5th), her highest place finish of the season and Lily Mesquitta (24th), in her first cross country for the club.
We had a depleted squad in the under 13 boy's due to illness. With five starting, we had enough for a team, finishing sixth overall. Harry Carmody (19th) and Herbie Tobin (25th) both made the top half of the field.
As usual, the under 17 and under 20 women, ran in a combined race but were scored separately. Emer Tynan (U17) repeated her performances throughout the season to finish second in the under 17 women's race. Amelia Lawrence (U20) was down on her previous performances this season, placing 9th.
We had four members make the start line in the under 17 men's event. This was good enough to claim the team bronze. In the under 20 men's event, David Poungui, on a break from university, made his first outing for the club this season to finish in 15th place.
Like the under 13 girls race, the under 15 girls race did not disappoint. Celia Yeatman had her best performance to date, claiming individual bronze. Delilah Lester (11th) and Meredith Cummins (12th) completed the scoring team to secure the second team gold of the day.
Last of our younger age groups to race were the under 15 boys. Daniel Whitehouse was first to finish for the club in 15th place.
The Club's senior men had never taken team medals at the Kent Championships before, writes Clem Dixon, not this century anyway, but after coming agonisingly close a year ago this time the milestone was finally achieved.
As expected the race was dominated by Tonbridge AC led by James Kingston, winner in the previous two years. It was only Louis Small of Ashford AC in 2nd who prevented Tonbridge from taking all of the first six places. But although we had no individual stars, Bobby Babaker in 18th being our first finisher, we produced a really strong team performance; packing in behind Bobby were Danny Kendall (21st), Ben Shearer (30th), Dean Lacy (32nd), James Macdonald (38th) and Angus Vosper (40th) taking bronze medals in the six to score team competition (behind Medway & Maidstone as well as Tonbridge).
The solid packing didn't end there: they do a 12 to score team prize here too and this time we were ahead of Medway: John O'Mahony (46th), Kyle Hurst (49th), David Worden (55th), Liam McLaughlin (62nd), Ben Rew (63rd) and Geoff Smith (78th) taking us to 2nd place behind Tonbridge, also a best ever position.
The list of broken records didn't end there: we fielded a squad of 24 runners, more than we have ever had at the County Championships before. They don't give prizes for turnout, but if they did it would have been another 2nd place behind (you've guessed it) Tonbridge, although even they only had one more than us.
Full results here
Be Fit Today Track Academy Indoor Series, Lee Valley (Sun. 5th Jan.)
Doyin Aderinto opened 2025 with two runs of 7.77s in the 60 metres.
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