The final Met League fixture this season at Wormwood Scrubs on 7th February 2015 held all sorts of hope for the Hillingdon ladies reports Donna Nash. We came together with a massive attendance of 15 and apologies from Eva Mack, Jen Harvey and Steph Wigram.
Conditions were described as good to firm although I must have missed the firm areas!
Helen O’Neile put in a sterling performance and was our first lady this time, placing 14th. Helen had one word to say about the race –MUD!
Bubbly Hannah put in a sparkling performance, 2nd home and placing 28th, just 2 places off her best and 3 seconds away from being 25th!.
Making a special guest appearance was middle distance track star Michaela Mayor who tackled the course in fine style , ankles in tact, crossing the line in third place for Hillingdon and 38th overall. Michaela said she ‘enjoyed running’ and appreciated the ‘encouragement’ – she is hopeful that some of our cross country stars will cross over to the track this summer and repay the favour!
Our newcomers, Ciara Williams and Kate Shockley completed the 5 scorers placing 69th and 85th respectively. Ciara said it was an ‘enjoyable challenge’ and Kate is now known as ‘last minute.Kate’ arriving on the start line just before the gun (thanks to Martin Bateman for handing the race number to Kate as she approached the finish line!)
Well done to Zoe Dobbs who achieved her best Met League result coming inside the top 100 and placing 94th. Jemma Weekes completed her second cross country for us this season and came in 114th place, just under a minute behind Zoe. Our ‘Gem’ said it was ‘muddy but marvellous’
We have some new rivalries developing amongst Lesley Conway, Melanie Spencer & Pauline Fischer. Lesley dug deep to hold off Pauline and Mel in the final stages of the race and all crossed the line 122nd, 124th & 126th respectively. Lesley’s consistency is phenomenal and Pauline and Mel are both improving after each race.
Andrea Taylor and me were deeply disappointed with our own performances but hey, we were there and completed the course in a very unimpressive +35mins. The emphasis being on completion!
Last but by no means least, Lucy Duncan, Jackie O’Dowd and Angela Duncan completed the Hillingdon Ladies team arriving home 148th, 159th and 162nd respectively. Jackie summed up the race as a’long and slippery course’ – have to agree there!
Sorry it’s such a long article but there was just sooo many people to mention!!
We may have failed to get promotion this time but we finish in a strong third place and should all feel proud. We have had a good turn out for all the Met League fixtures and I am extremely grateful of the efforts of all of the women. We are in a good place now and going from strength to strength. We have to work on the Vets team too – double promotions next season
Results here.