*New EA Guidance & Latest Secret XC Showdown*
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Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 25th October 2020<!–
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Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 25th October 2020<!–
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Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 18th October 2020<!–
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Two eventful races were held on the famous Beckenham course this week. The carefully laid out route included a crossing of the muddy pond and was probably about 90 metres shorter than previous weeks.
New member Tom McGrath easily won the first race with an impressive display of powerful front running . Behind him there was a tactical battle between Alan Curtis, Paul McCrone and Simon Allen. Paul did most of the hard work but Alan Curtis ran the smartest race, powering away at the end with 17:17, Paul and Simon close behind both on 17:22. John Barron was 5th. The more John ran round the course, the less familiar he seemed to become with it. With the help of some emergency marshalling he was finally encouraged to go approximately the right way, although he didn’t seem to get his feet as wet as other runners.
Adam Paterson looked very strong smashing the (short) course record with 14:16, Jonny Tipper never quite managing to get very close to him (14:39). Kieran Fitzpatrick paced his race well with 15:33 putting a big gap into Iago Martinez. It was a surprise to see Iago steaming up the hill to finish ahead of Kieran, but it is suspected that he panicked in the notoriously confusing ‘Rowan’s tree’ area and missed out the last loop.
Same time next week for anyone who wants to run (0830, Beckenham Place Park)
Race 1
Tom McGrath
16:33
Alan Curtis
17:17
Simon Allen
17:22a
Paul McCrone
17:22
John Barron
18:15
Race 2
Adam Paterson
14:16
Jonny Tipper
14:39
Kieran Fitzpatrick
15:53
Iago Martinez
16:40
Saturday 10th October saw the first running of secret cross country after a test running of the course the previous weekend which saw Ian Ellwood bully his way to victory in an uphill sprint finish with Rowan Chriton and Pete Lighting.
The first race of the day set off across the dew filled grass with Ed Mathews setting the early pace, pursued by Sarah Hanley. Despite Sarah’s best efforts, Ed, dressed like a 1980s goalkeeper strode imperiously to victory in 16:21. As Ed basked in the morning light dreaming of the glorious battles that victory and promotion would bring him, Sarah battled home in a strong 16:54. Unbeknownst to them, behind Sarah and Ed an epic tactical battle was taking place between Paul Mccrone and the wiley Alan Curtis. Alan tactically sat off Paul, applying pressure until Paul finally cracked and, confused and disorientated by the relentless pressure, went the wrong way and relinquished 3rd place to Alan who strode home in 18:06. Paul, wounded but wiser came home in 18:20.
There was no respite from the drama as the B race participants set out into the course. What transpired was truly one of the great races as Nick Ostrowski and Adam Paterson fought tooth and nail to be first to every blade of grass. The intensity only interrupted by the occasional polite reminder from Nick to Adam to go in the right direction. This chivalry however was not reciprocated, as Adam, with wife and child watching in nervous anticipation, turned the screw on Nick, breaking his spirit on the final climbs and surging to a well earnt victory in an estimated 14:58. Nick battled home in a strong time of 15:08 satisfied but thinking what might have been if only he was inclined to use Ian Ellwood style misdirection. Behind these heroics, Lara Bromilow ran steady to hold off the stampeding Richard Giles who threw everything at her in persuit of 3rd place. Lara showed impeccable judgement, maintaining a consistent gap to come home in 15:46 with Richard following behind in 16:04. Behind Richard, another battle was taking place. James Bowler had narrowly missed a much anticipated clash with Sarah Hanley through race seeding. The question now was, could James run the course quicker than Sarah? As the clock ticked by and the Coventry City football shirt darted in and out of the trees, it became apparent that there would be no last minute escape from relegation on this occasion, with James coming home in 17:04.5.
So the scene was set for the final race of the day, which included undefeated champion Ian Ellwood, and Rowan Chriton who was hungry for revenge after a bitter defeat in controversial circumstances the previous week. From the off, it was clear that Rowan was in no mood for half measures and tore away in the early stages in a manner that demanded respect from his opponents. The race was strung into single file immediately. The chasing group could only watch in wonder as Rowan bounded through every obstacle Beckenham place park had to offer to finish in a phenomenal course record of 14:32. The only opponent who could ever consider themselves to be in the same race was Ben Hope who steadily stretched out of reach of the others as the race unfolded to come home in an impressive 14:48.
Behind Ben, Ian Ellwood, who had sat at the back in the early stages, presumably under the misapprehension that he was still close enough to Rowan to shout incorrect directions, found himself in a battle for 3rd position with Jonathan Tipper. It was a stretch too far for Jonathan, who perhaps overawed by the status of his opponent could not close the gap, finishing in 15:08 as Ian strode home in 15:04, winning that particular battle, but knowing that his air of invincibility had been shattered.
The final man home was Jake Hererra. Jake had bravely taken the fight to Rowan early on, running in 2nd place for the first kilometre, but having been drawn to his flame he found himself burnt by his efforts. Jake, running ‘to feel’ without a watch, finished strongly however, with an estimated time of 15:15.
A suitably heroic conclusion by quarter past 9 to all that short course XC racing has to offer.
Final Results:
C race
Ed Mathews 16:21
Sarah Hanley 16:54
Alan Curtis 18:06
Paul Mccrone 18:20
B race
Adam Paterson 14:58 (estimated)
Nick Ostrowski 15:08
Lara Bromilow 15:46
Richard Giles 16:04
James Bowler 17:05
A race
Rowan Chriton 14:32
Ben Hope 14:48
Ian Ellwood 15:04
Jonathan Tipper 15:08
Jake Hererra 15:20 (estimated)
Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 11th October 2020
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Please see this week’s update for Kent AC members – 4th October 2020
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