On Saturday 24th November 2018, the clouds held back as the South of Thames 5 mile race took place on a dry day in Morden Park, Surrey. The participants enjoyed a gently undulating course.
We were led home by top ten finisher Mike Cummings in 27:11 for 9th place. Followed by a tight bunch all inside the top twenty consisting of, Andrew Clarke 27:32 16th, Lewis Laylee 27:39 17th and Andrew Warburton 28:07 in 19th to close the ‘A’ team.
The Herne Hill men narrowly missed out on bronze medals to come 4th. However, we did finish three full teams and half a ‘D’ team.
HHH ‘B’ team was led home by Angus Butler 29:50 in 41st, Jack Dickenson 30:28 51st, Gaven Newsum (M40) 31:07 68th and John Appleton 31:17 73rd.
HHH ‘C’ team, Jonathan Ratcliffe (M50) 32:26 in 87th, Eriç Dol 32:38 in 91st, Duncan Rimmer (M40) 36:55 in 145thand Valdis Pauzers (M60) 37:30 in 150th.
HHH ‘D’ team being Ian Strong (M55) 46:59 in 178thand John Garber (M75) 48:30in 181st.
Herne Hill women were led home by Nikki Sturzaker (W45) 34:20 in 11th place, followed by Zoe Buckland 39:03 in 46th, Jessica Winfield (W35) 39:25 in 51st and Sarah Allen (W55) 45:02, 71st. The team were 9th of 12 teams.
262 athletes finished the course, although no club entered an athlete in the ‘Women’s U20’ race for which medals were up for grabs.