Last updated
10 February 2020
Kent League 2019/20
8 February
2020 - Kent League - Norman Park
Full results
here...
Some Photos here...
The Kent League season concluded in style with a large
turnout for the club on our home turf and mercifully clear skies and wind
before the following day's hurricane.
Said hurricane worked in our favour as it prompted the
cancellation of the Worthing Half-Marathon, allowing team manager Ross
Braden to run and storm home to 3rd after a brief flirtation with 2nd. There
was quite the scrap on behind him between Danny Brewer, Dan Kennedy and Alex
Gibbins in the race to complete the 4 to score. A mid-race surge from Brewer
won the contest as he wound up 14th in a strong performance. It was closer
between the latter two as Kennedy just out-sprinted Gibbins after they both
successfully moved up the field to 18th and 19th respectively.
In his first race for Blackheath in 9 months, Rob
Donohue ghosted past numerous opponents to place 37th; a fine effort after a
long time out injured. Luca Ercolani enjoyed the notable distinction of
running all 4 of the league fixtures and improved his position in each one
to come 40th and 1st in his age category. Ian Firla sealed a fine first
cross country season for Blackheath in 52nd; Roger Beswick again gave a
strong performance in his age category in 83rd; Paul Sharpe snuck into the
top 100 in 96th; Ian Scott, in his Kent League debut, was just outside it in
101st; Greg Firth was just behind in 106th; and Tom Desborough rounded off
the scoring 12 in 113th.
Ifetobi Salako made his senior Kent League debut in
124th after a crazy opening mile, and just behind him was Jason Meers and
Darren Corneille, who fought out a good battle in 142nd and 144th
respectively. Jon Pairman came home in 153rd, while Rich Byford and Rod
Harrington made a welcome return to competition in 175th and 205th
respectively.
We were rewarded with 3rd place in both the 4 to score
and 12 to score categories for both the race and in the overall standings,
which was a deserved reward for some fine performances throughout the season
and at least a dozen men being present at every single race. A special
mention goes to Luca, Roger, Paul, Greg and Darren for turning out at every
race and providing a strong backbone for everyone else. Thanks so much to
everyone who turned out.
Up the Heath!
Chris, Dan & Ross
14 December 2019 - Kent League - Foots Cray Meadows
Full results
here...
In spite of it being in the depths of winter and at
peak time for Christmas shopping, a hardy group of athletes turned out for
the 3rd Kent League fixture at a windswept Foots Cray Meadows on Saturday.
First over the line for the Heath was Dan Kennedy in a much improved
performance on recent efforts in 18th. Backing him up in 39th and 41st was
the redoubtable duo of Gareth Evans and Luca Ercolani, who both put in
typically reliable performances to bolster the 4 to score category.
Completing the quartet was Ian Firla in 53rd, hot on the heels of a marathon
PB in Valencia a mere 2 weeks ago.
Josh Dowling added to his credentials as the most improved senior man by
finishing 66th in his first Kent League outing of the season. Roger Beswick
was the next Blackheath finisher in 86th adding to his record of being ever
present at the Kent League this season. Paul Sharpe backed him in 88th, also
after having just run the Valencia Marathon. Chris Tuck placed 100th exactly
in his best league finish so far as he continues to improve as the season
goes on.
Darren Corneille also managed his best finish of the season in his third
consecutive outing to come 111th. This effort was closely supported by Greg
Firth in 116th, Simon Harris in 124th and Jason Meers in 136th to ensure the
12 to score packed well to come 3rd on the day and hold the same place
overall. Last but by no means least for the Heath was Nigel Haffenden in
141st ensuring a healthy competition for places amongst the men just in
front of him.
We were 4th in the 4 to score category on the day but remained 3rd in the
overall standings, and with a home fixture to cap the league off in February
we should be well placed to at least retain that position.
Up the Heath!
Chris, Dan & Ross
U15 boys Ted, Alessio and Arthur
U13 boys Jed and Josh
Blackheath and Bromley young athletes signed off the
Kent Cross Counrty League in some style at a windy Footscray, claiming three
team titles and four individual winners on the day.
The fourth and final race in the series had all to play, for with individual
and team titles to settle and the BBHAC club championships incorporated, was
an added bonus.
Good numbers turned up for the later than normal league finale but BBHAC
numbers were down due to winter illness and school Christmas trips abroad.
The girls have dominated all winter and it was no surprise to see all three
age groups U13, U15 and U17 secure team gold with such depth and quality.
The U13 girls were first off over the relatively level course and best
represented, with 14 toeing the start line. Molly May Mooney - Clarke ran
well placing 5th but having ran all four fixture well, found herself 2nd the
individual overall table (IOT). Megan Slattery had a strong run in 7th and
as did Lara Tunali Flynn in 11th. Tallulah Ndikanwu completed the series on
the day in a fine 12th but a superb 5th in the IOT. India Blakey finished in
15th with Marie Salamanca just behind in 16th but importantly 6th in the IOT
and Alyessa Firla crossed the line in 27th. Next to finish for BBHAC was
Isla Spink making a great club debut in 29th just in front of young Lydia
Marston running well in 30th and Amber Cockburn in 34th. The team were well
backed up by great runs from Hannah Nott placing 36th, and Isla Griffin
41st, both making their club debuts. Completing the squad was ever present
Maddie Marston doing the full house, placing 49th on the day but
impressively 15th in the overall individual table. These superb runs ensured
that the girls stayed at the top of the team table and were duly awarded the
winners team trophy.
The U13 boys were most effected by seasonal health and holiday issues but
that didn't stop Josh Healy running a great race fininshing in 4th, neck to
neck with the 3rd placed athlete. Jed Starvis also had a fine run posting
his highest finish of the season in an impressive 12th place.
The U15 girls were equally impressive as the U13 girls with twelve athletes
putting in a shift for BBHAC. Lara Mannes ran with confidence comfortably
beating the Tonbridge girl who had won the first two fixtures. Hannah Clarke
contuined her fine winter placing 3rd and this was good enough to for Hannah
to claim gold in the individual overal table. Carys Firth ran hard to
secured a well deserved 4th on the day and silver in the IOT. Lily Meers was
a strong 5th and Cameron Kelly Gordon was a great 8th. It was pleasing to
see Olivia Magee Brown back to full strength and finishing well in 15th
place and Cara Gould in 22nd, earning her an 8th in the IOT. Olivia Wauters
finished in 23rd and Olivia was rewarded for her consistency with a 10th
place slot in the IOT. SP Maher also completed the set and was 26th on the
day and 13th overall. Another to complete the series was race walker Abi
Smith and she proved her fitness with a 29th on the day and 20th overall
finish in IOT. Just behind Abi was Libby Whyte in 30th and Amelie Willars in
34th. The team unsurprisingly won the team title, comfortably.
The U15 boys race saw six black vests racing and four of them were
completing the full race series. First home for BBHAC was Alessio Tutt who
set of determinedly and finish well in 8th and 6th in the IOT. Arthur
Starvis had his highest finish of the series, placing a great 13th and 10th
in IOT. Ted Marston completed the set and made it a full family affair along
side his two siblings, finish strongly in 18th and 11th in IOT. Thomas
Sugden finished in 21st and great to see George Shaw running again after a
lengthy break, finishing well in 32nd. Nathaniel Brunner had his highest
placing of the year with a strong 40th, placing him an impressive 20th in
the individual overall table. BBHAC U15 boys were a solid second in the team
contest behind a strong Tonbridge squad.
Ten U17 BB girls contested their 5k course and impressive runs from all, saw
them finish with 6 girls in the top 9 and all 10 girls home in the top 20.
Ailbhe Barnes had already claim a 3rd and 2nd spot during the season and her
efforts at Footscray were rewarded with a fine victory. Ava White looked
strong finishing 3rd as did Zoe White in 5th. Zakia Mossi was next home
looking good in 6th and Isabelle Stoneham rounded off her great series with
a 7th place finish but more importantly winning the individual title. Amy
Miller was a great 9th and Ellie Osmond a great 11th.
Olivia Berry completed the set in a good 15th and this
was enough to claim bronze in the individual overall table. Heidi Forsyth
was 17th and completing the strong squad was Sabrina Mannes finishing 20th.
Blackheath and Bromley U17 girls were worthy team winners.
BBHAC only had one U17 boy racing but what we lacked in numbers we certainly
made in quality as Oliver Bright glided over the course and cruised to
victory. No team score on the day but a second place for the season behind a
strong Tonbridge was still a good result.
Matthew Francis was our only U20 running and he secured a great 3rd place
finish over the 5k course.
Within this final Kent League race we incorporated our own “BBHAC Club
Championships” and so all our athletes placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd were
presented with club Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
U13 boys Josh Healy, Jed Starvis
U13 girls Molly May Mooney, Clarke Megan Slattery, Lara Tunali
Flynn
U15 boys Alessio Tutt, Arthur Starvis, Ted Marston
U15 girls Lara Mannes, Hannah Clarke, Carys Firth
U17 boys Oliver Bright
U17 girls Ailbhe Barnes, Ava White, Zoe White
Paul Austridge
9 November 2019 - Kent League -
Danson Park, Welling
Full results
here...
Danson Park, Bexleyheath played host to match three in
this winter’s Kent league cross country series and despite a clash with the
English Schools Cup, Blackheath and Bromley HAC girls once again dominated,
winning all three U13, U15 and U17 team races. The fewer number of boys
running, reflected in the overall team results with a 4th and two 3rds in
the U13, U15 and U17 races.
The U13 girls led proceedings out and another solid
run from Molly-May Mooney-Clarke finishing an impressive 2nd, a great run
from Amie Gould in a superb 4th and year young Luciana Smith having a very
strong run placing 6th, completed the scoring trio. The team were ably
backed up by great runs from Marie Salamanca 10th, Lydia Witcombe 14th,
Tallulah Ndikanwu 16th. Alyessa Firla, also a year young ran well finishing
23rd with sisters Maddie and Lydia Marston just 2 seconds apart in 35th and
36th. This was Lydia’s debut for the club and encouragingly she has two more
years in this age group. Lola Bischoff did well to finish the 3.1k course
after picking up a niggle on the first lap.
The U15 girls had the biggest squad of the day and
Hannah Clark powered home to seal her first victory of the season, with
Carys Firth having her highest placing to date with a fine run placing a
solid 2nd. Lily Meers ran hard to secure 5th and ensure team victory in the
three to score race. Two more in the top ten with Cara Gould a very good 8th
and Cameron Kelly- Gordon an impressive 9th. Isabella Louth had another
great run in 12th, with Olivia Wauters in 18th, SP Maher in 21st and Abi
Smith 35th. Completing the squad over the 4.2k course were Libby Whyte in
41st and Amelie Willars in 46th.
In the U17 race Zoe White finished the strongest with
a powerful performance over the 5.2k course scoring her first Kent League
victory. Ailbhe Barnes ran hard from the gun and was rewarded with great
second place and completing the scoring trio was Ellie Osmond in 5th,
recording her best run this winter. Isabelle Stoneham worked hard on the
heavy grass course placing a great 7th and just outside the top ten was
Olivia Berry in a good 12th place.
Amy Leach made it three 2nd places from three in the
U20 woman race and sits firmly at the top of the league table but
unfortunately no BBHAC team score recorded.
The U13 boys team were fourth on the day with
impressive runs from Josh Healy in 7th, Jasper Brooks in 9th, year young
Hendri Verster in 16th and Harry Fage in 18th.
Matt Smith left it late but made up a good few places
in the last 100m placing a fine 4th in the U15 boys 4.2k race. Alessio Tutt
went out hard from the start and committed well and should be pleased with
his soild 7th, his first top ten finish. Arthur Starvis was a good 19th,
Thomas Sugden 22nd, Ted Marston 25th and Nathaniel Brunner 41st. The team is
currently third in the league.
Sam Reardon led the Blackheath charge in the U17 race
and placed well in 7th, backed up by Jake Leng in 15th and Justin Strover in
19th, securing 3rd in the team race. Will Andrews finished 21st despite an
uncomfortable stitch and Callum Horton contiued his fine first season with a
good 25th. With one fixture left the team are second in the table.
Joe Georgiadis was our sole competitor in the U20 race
but placed a high 5th and this secures him second spot in the individual
table.
The remaining Kent league fixture is on Saturday 14th
December at Footscray and will see the culmination of the individually
season, along with all the team results. We also incorporate the BBHAC club
championship with gold, silver and bronze awarded to the top three BBHAC
finishers in each race.
Paul Austridge
26 October 2019 - Kent League - (incls B&B YA C-C Champs) Somerhill Park, Tonbridge
Full results
here...
Race two of the 2019 Kent League cross country series
returned to the magnificent grounds of Somerhill School in Tonbridge. A well
marked out and challenging course awaited the 46 Blackheath and Bromley
young athletes. Once again BBHAC girls dominated the team races winning U13,
U15 and U17 team races with the boys picking up 3rd in the U15 and U 17 and
4th in the U13.
The U13 girls had the biggest squad racing, with 11
toeing the line. Great runs from Molly-May Mooney-Clarke in 3rd, Megan
Slattery in 4th and Amie Gould in 7th secured the team victory. A great
debut run from Lara Tunali- Flynn placing 8th and a strong run from Tallulah
Ndikanwu in 9th making 5 BBHAC in the top ten, impressive.
The U13 boys squad was made up of three boys, enough
for the three to score team race. Franco Hillier ran a determined race
placing a fine 6th with Jasper Brooks a solid 13th just in front of a strong
finishing Jed Starvis in 15th.
The U15 girls had good numbers racing and were led
home by Lara Mannes who looked comfortable all the way around the 4K course
coming a fine 2nd. Hannah Clark was a strong 3rd and Carys Firth had another
great run finishing 6th. Cara Gould, not wanting to be outdone by her
sibling also made the top 10 with a fine 8th place finish.
The U15 boys were led home by Matt Smith in 11th,
Alessio Tutt in 22nd and Ted Marston in 23rd combining to claim 3rd team
spot.
The U17 girls looked impressive again with 4 in the
top 7 and easily won the team race. Annie Thomas was a strong 2nd, Ailbhe
Barnes a great 3rd, Isabelle Stoneham just behind in 4th and Olivia Berry a
solid 7th.
The U17 boys had good numbers running and first home
for BBHAC in 8th was Tom Brash on his winter opener, backed up by great runs
from Will Andrews in 14th and Sam Reardon in 19th.
Amy Leach was 2nd in U20 women's 5k race with Millie
Smith in 3rd but with three needed to score in the team result , no mark was
recorded.
Callum Myatt had another great run, making it two wins
from two races in the U20 men’s 5k. Joe Georgiadis finished high up in 6th
But with no third runner no team result was recorded.
In the senior women’s race it was great to see Niamh
Bridson Hubbard comfortably winning and backed up well by Amy, Millie and
Jenny Leng we were able to secure our first team points of the season
placing 2nd.
Paul Austridge
Well done to everyone who competed this weekend at the
second instalment of the Kent League at Tonbridge. First home was Josh
Schofield, who faced a course harder than anything he would have experienced
up north. Untroubled he handled it with ease, displaying a strong final lap
to close in 3rd place. Alex Gibbins was next home in 24th (to be confirmed
as we believe he edged 23rd and a formal review will follow.) Ross Braden
threatened a top 5 finish but after a less than enjoyable last 800m finished
in 27th. Completing the 4 to score was Dan Kennedy who had recovered from
last weekends efforts to put the team firmly in 3rd place in the 4-to-score
team standings.
Next home in another solid run was Luca Ercolani in
38.53. The next 4 in were separated by just 10 seconds in some very good
packing, with Roger Beswick (85th) edging out Ian Firla (87th), who was
closely followed by Fintan Parkinson (91st) and Jon Vintner (93rd). The wait
for the next man in was not long either with Greg Firth and Paul Sharpe
finishing 103rd and 107th respectively. Chris Tuck was the 12th man in,
continuing his comeback and ensuring we finished comfortable 3rd overall in
the 12-to-score.
Darren Corneille was next in completing the testing
course in 44.34, followed by formerly retired cross country runner Tim
Ayres, who did his trademark of offering to run with someone and then using
a sprint finish to gain the upper hand, his victim was Richard Byford who
finished 6 places lower. However, Byford's official time is currently under
review on the results, the reason is not clear, but the rumour is that he
actually did an extra lap by accident.
Big thanks to everyone that turned out, as well as the
supporters (Joss Barber was especially enthusiastic despite the dismal
spectating conditions)
Up the Heath!
Chris, Dan & Ross
12 October 2019 - Kent League - Swanley Park
Full results
here...
The 2019 Kent league Cross Country returned to Swanley
Park for the first of the four race series and Blackheath and Bromley HAC
young athletes made a big impression winning four of the eight team races.
The U13 boys were 2nd overall with Alex Middleton
having a great run finishing 2nd just one second behind the winner. Josh
Healy in a strong 5th and Franco Hillier finishing well in 10th made the
scoring trio.
The U13 girls went one better winning the team race
with Molly-May Mooney-Clarke in 4th just ahead of Francesca Middleton in 5th
and Megan Slattery in 7th.
The U15 girls were equally impressive winning the team
race with Carys Firth running a strong race and placing 3rd, with Hannah
Clark a great 4th and Amarisa Sibley a solid 7th.
The U15 boys did well placing 3rd team overall in
tough competition. Alessio Tutt went off well but lost a bit of ground after
a fall but recovered well to finish 14th. A strong run saw Arthur Starvis
finish a good 18th and 800m specialist Jake Anthony completed the scoring
three placing 25th.
The U17 boys combined well to finish second in their
team race made up of the scoring three of Sam Reardon in 8th, Tom Brash 9th
and Will Andrews in 10th.
The U17 girls made it three wins in three for the
girls and they powered to victory with great runs from Isabelle Stoneham in
2nd, Olivia Berry in 3rd and Zoe White in 4th.
The U20 men also recorded a superb team victory led
home by a storming Callum Myatt breaking the tape first, closely followed by
Joseph Georgiadis in 3rd and Henry Fisher in 7th.
Amy Leach had a strong run finishing 2nd in the U20
women’s race but as our only runner, no team result was recorded.
A great start to the individual cross-country season
with just under 60 BBHAC young athletes racing.
Paul Austridge
The cross country season proper kicked off on Saturday
with the 1st Kent League at Swanley Park. In stark contrast to previous
years when the sun's been shining and the ground's been flat and firm, a
traditional scene greeted the team as it was continuously raining and there
were some actual hills involved in the race. It seemed that that's exactly
what large sections of the club wanted as 15 men turned out in force.
After a mid-race wobble Joss Barber led the Heath home
with a barnstorming final kilometre to place 14th on his senior XC debut. At
the other end of the scale, Alex Gibbins followed him home in 17th with a
fast finish to claw back an extra place as the first vet. Gareth Evans was
next to get in on the act with 33rd place after a typically well judged
effort. Luca Ercolani completed the 4 to score in 54th with the sort of pacy
finish on the inside that suggests he was paying close attention during the
World Championships.
Jon Pairman grasped the nettle well on his Kent League
debut to come 69th and lead home a glut of team mates: Fintan Parkinson in
75th after having just eaten several times his body weight in burgers while
out in the States, Roger Beswick in 78th and 2nd V55, and Paul Sharpe in a
battling 85th. Another debutante Greg Firth snuck into the top 100 in 96th,
Chris Tuck began the long road back to full fitness in 116th, pipping Darren
Corneille in 122nd, and the elder Pairman completed the scoring dozen in
167th. Nigel Haffenden and Jason Meers just missed out on the top 12 with
finishes of 185th and 189th, Rich Byford bravely warmed up for his
half-marathon the following day with a finish of 231st, and the oldest
member of the team Andy Lawes completed the team in 238th.
We were a comfortable 3rd in both the 4 and 12 to
score categories, which will hopefully be an excellent springboard for the
next fixtures, staring with Tonbridge on Saturday 26th October.
Up the Heath!
Chris, Dan & Ross
