Dulwich Runners’ senior men collect silver at London Cross Country Championships

Dulwich Runners had high hopes for medals in the men’s race at the London Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill, writes Jonathan Whittaker.

The South London club had many of the club’s best-ever Surrey League team in action.

Recent heavy rain resulted in a tough course with deep mud in numerous places and many falls and lost shoes on the course.

With four runners to score, Ed Chuck (third, 37:29) and Jack Ramm (fourth, 37:48) gave Dulwich the perfect start with typically powerful runs.

London Heathside’s local training knowledge then saw their top four runners finish in the top 14 to secure them gold.

The returning Rob Armstrong (42nd, 41:40) and Jon Phillips (46th, 41:58) enabled Dulwich to hold off their various South London rivals to secure the silver medal and the best ever-team performance at these championships.

Another 16 men from the club completed the course including James Blackwood, Ade Russell, Sean Cordon and Jack Leafe – all finishing in the top 80.

The ladies race featured a shorter six-kilometre circuit with club captain Kay Sheedy first home in her best ever-finish (36th, 26:15) and worst ever time on the course, illustrating the difficulty posed by the conditions.

Helen Shannon’s excellent first season of cross country racing continues. She was rewarded with a fine 67th (27:57). Nicely-paced runs from Harriet Roddy (84th, 28:58) and Christina Dimitrov (131st, 31:26) saw the team home to 14th out of 28 complete teams.

TEAM PICTURES: ANGE NORRIS

ACTION PICTURE: HARRIET RODDY