Reports and Results - Cross-Country

Sunday 8 March 2009

James Rady Wins Downs League Trophy

In the last Downs League cross-country U11 boys/girls race, Holland Sports AC had a successful day. James Rady finished second and won the overall trophy with two first and two second places. Ocean Schwartz had a superb run with a fast finish clinching third place.

Saturday 28 February 2009

Ladies Finish Season Well at Lloyd Park

Holland Sports Ladies, despite missing a few through injury, did well to finish 8th team in the final Surrey Ladies Division 2 cross-country fixture at Lloyd park, Croydon on Saturday. Overall Holland Sports finished 9th out of 23 teams which was an excellent result.

Holland were led home by Maggie Statham in 23rd (100th in Div 1 & 2) in 27m 42, followed by Karen Farnham in 43rd (141st) in 29m 50. Glynis Doyle in her first run of the season performed well to finish 51st (166) in 31m 19, followed by Val Bowes in good form, 53rd (171st) in 31m 49, with Cathy Hayes completing the team in 73rd (207th) in 34m 45. Unfortunately Katrina Arnold had to drop out during the race as her calf tightened.

Saturday 21 February 2009

PB for Knight at Banstead Woods Time Trial

Richard Knight achieved a fine personal best of 19 mins 49 secs, giving him 21st place overall, at the 5K Banstead Woods Time Trial on Saturday morning. His son Josh finished in 80th position in a time of 24 mins 33 secs, another good time.

The Banstead Woods Time Trials take place every Saturday morning at 9am and are free to enter. All standards of runner take part and computer analysis helps you track your performance through the year. Runners new to the time trials need to register by 6pm on the Friday before they run. Click here for the event website.

These time trials are recommended to Holland runners looking for a good run against the clock in a friendly, low-key environment. Already, Oxted School students, some of whom run for the club, have become a notable feature of recent runs. In addition to Banstead Woods, the time trials also take place at the same time each Saturday in Bushy Park, Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common and many other locations.

Sunday 15 February 2009

James Rady Wins Again in Downs League

James Rady had another convincing victory in the third of four Downs League cross-country races at Epsom Downs, and with two victories and a second place in the U11’s he is a clear leader in the individual championship.

Leading from the start James only came under pressure in the long climb towards the finish, but he unleashed a ferocious sprint in the downhill finish to comfortably win.

The race, which includes both girls and boys, saw Abigail Rudd on her debut in the Downs League perform well to finish 21st and third girl overall, giving everything in her sprint to the finish.

Saturday 7 February 2009

Magnificent Performance by Men at Wimbledon Common While Boys Sweep the Board

There was a magnificent turnout by Holland Sports athletes in the last Surrey League Division 3 fixture at Wimbledon Common. This resulted in Holland Sports' best ever race team position of 4th, and meant that we avoided relegation by finishing 7th (close to 6th) out of the 9 teams.

There was a heroic performance by Steve Bishop who finished 7th in Division 3 (11th overall in Divisions 3 & 4) in a time of 31:25, as he drove up from Exeter the night before, skidding on the motorway, and then drove back there immediately after the race. Andy Towersley was next in, finishing 31st (40th overall) in 33:38. Andy Statham, despite falling in the difficult icy and slushy conditions, was 37th (47th oveall) in 33:56. Next home, having had a great season, was Stuart Dickinson in 47th (60th overall) in 34:39. There was a welcome return in his first race of the season by Rob Hall, 49th (62nd overall) in 34:46. He was closely followed by Mick Hayes 51st (65th overall) in 34:54, while Richard Knight in pain finished in 63rd (83rd overall) in 35:45. An unfit Darryl Hilliar was 68th (95) in 36:12. Mick Chappell, 75th (110th) in 37-02, and Gerry Simpson 92nd (146th) in 39:33 were Holland’s final scorers.

Providing sterling support behind the scoring runners were Martin Berry, 94th (150th) in 39:48, Richard Timmis 106th (175th) in 42:21, Andy Thornley 111th in 44:31, Graham Pullen 112th in 44:43 and, on his debut, Fergus Craig was 115th in 46:52. In all, 15 runners turned out for the club at Wimbledon, a fantastic achievement.

A big thank you goes to all the men who have run for Holland through the cross-country season, while particular thanks must go to the five who have taken part in all four races: Steve Bishop, Stuart Dickinson, Gerry Simpson, Martin Berry and Graham Pullen.

In the U13 Race Holland Sports swept the board, providing the first 5 finishers. They were led home in style by Luke Thompson in 17:07, meaning that William Rady, 2nd in 17:14, was beaten for the first time by a Holland runner. 3rd was Josh Cottingham in 18:08, James Rady 4th in 18:39 and Liam Miles 5th in 19:35. In the U15’s Sam Knight was 3rd in 17:32. Click HERE to see photos from the Boys' XC.

Saturday 10 January 2009

Men Drop into Relegation Spot, U13 Boys Stay Top, U15s 2nd

In their race at Lloyd Park, Holland Sports' men's team was decimated due to injuries and illness, only just fielding a team. As a result Holland finished 8th out of 9 and are now back in relegation spot. However if they can get some of their runners back for the last fixture then they can be confident of staying up.

As always Steve Bishop lead the team home 4th in 30:53. Stuart Dickinson was second in with an impressive run, 41st in 35:16, closely followed by Mick Hayes, 45th in 35:28. Richard Knight despite a lack of fitness was 55th in 36:26. Paul Bowen finished 62nd in 37:20, Guenther Jikeli 70th in 38:10, Gerry Simpson 82nd in 39:46, Martin Berry 84th in 40:07, Andy Thornley 99th in 43:36 and Graham Pullen 100th in 43:49.

In the U13 boys it was a different story with the team finishing 2nd but retaining their overall lead. William Rady, still unbeaten by another Holland runner, finished in style in 2nd in 17 minutes exactly. The next two in for Holland had excellent debuts with James Rady 5th in 19:47, and Josh Knight 6th in 20:11. Jack Haydon was 7th in 21:13 and Zach Leveridge was 8th in 21:18. Unfortunately Liam Miles had to pull out after falling twice.

In the U15 Sam Knight was 6th in 18:20 and Thomas Rady 7th in 19:47, leaving Holland in 2nd overall. If Dad Arnold had not been injured 4 members of the same family would have run.

Any further detailed results from these races will be posted as soon as they become available.

Ladies Finish 5th at Farthing Downs

In the freezing cold conditions at Farthing Downs, Coulsdon, on Saturday Holland Sports' senior ladies put on a warming performance in the Surrey League cross-country with an excellent joint 5th place, which leaves them 9th overall.

Leading Holland’s ladies home was Maggie Statham, 25th in 29:11, turning the tables on her daughter Sarah, 27th in 29:16, who was recovering from an ankle injury and wearing trainers which caused her to slip all over the place. Karen Farnham was next in, 49th in 31:14, closely followed by Judith Ladd, who only just made the start, 52nd in 31:24. Maria Adaway was 74th in 33:46, while Val Bowes, Vet 60, had an excellent run with her first race for Holland for many years, finishing 86th in 35.05 and beating 33 runners in Division 2 and 13 in Division 1.

In the U13 race Emma Gordon came 15th in 13:57 (19 seconds covered 6th to 15th place), while in the U15 race Leanne Kavanagh came 19th in 19:53, a good run after her recent illness.

Saturday 3 January 2009

Under 13's Excel at Surrey Champs

In the Surrey Cross-Country Championships on a tricky course with sub-zero temperatures at Lloyd Park, Croydon, Holland Sports U13 team did exceptionally well to finish 6th.

William Rady led the team home with a typical gutsy run finishing 14th in 15m 59. Next in was Josh Cottingham in 43rd in 17m 45. Liam Miles, the youngest of the team, despite a fall had his best run with 50th in 18m 33. Luke Thompson was next in 56th in 18m 50 and finally Anthony Spicer was 77th in 22m 27.

In the U13 Girl’s race Emma Gordon produced a fast finish to recapture a very creditable 20th in 18m 41.

In the U15 Boy’s race Sam Knight was 49th in 19m 10.

Finally Sophie Cowper who trains at Holland Sports but representing her 1st claim club Redhill & Surrey Beagles just missed out on bronze with 4th in the U20 Women’s race in 22m 39.

Sunday 14 December 2008

Abigail Makes Super Debut at Holly Run

Abigail Rudd, on her debut for Holland Sports, had a super run to finish 6^th in the U11’s at the Holly Run in Reigate Priory Park on Sunday. She completed the mile race in 7 mins 49 seconds. Abigail’s brother Daniel, aged only just 9, had an equally excellent run over the same distance finishing 28^th in a large field in 7 mins 57secs.

Extraordinarily four members of the Crevel family ran for the club with Amilie, only 9 years old, finishing an excellent 23^rd in the U11s in 9 mins 6 secs. Etienne (Junior Man) finished 36^th in the Senior Men’s race in 40 mins 24 secs, with Dad Gilles crossing the finish line in 87^th position in 52 mins 39 secs. Mum Isabelle finished 45^th in the Senior Ladies race in 28 mins 42 secs.

Chloe Cottingham, despite being under the weather the previous week, produced a storming finish in the U11s to finish 32^rd in 9 mins 53. In the U15’s Leanne Kavanagh had an excellent run, finishing strongly for 11^th in 12 mins 50. In the U13 Boys William Rady was 1^st home for Holland in 13^th in 12 mins 16, with Liam Miles 34^th in 14 mins 19 and Anthony Spicer 37^th in 14 mins 45.

In the Senior Men's race, Graham Pullen was 79^th in 50 mins 2 secs.

Sunday 16 November 2008

Great Performance by Emma at Camberley

Emma Gordon up against top class competition did exceedingly well to finish 4th in the U13 Girls X Country Medal Meeting at Camberley in a time of 10mins 17secs.

Hopefully next year we will have more competing for Holland as it is an excellent testing woodland cross-country course and they make scrumptious cakes!

Sunday 9 November 2008

Holland Juniors Hit the Top at Epsom Downs

James Rady finished 2nd in the Under 11 category of the Downs League on Epsom Downs on Sunday, closely followed by Ocean Schwartz, who finished 5th. James's time was 11:59 while Ocean's was 12:17. These were excellent placings for the two Holland Runners, who finished strongly in a field of some 70 boy and girl runners. The future of the club is looking good!

Full results from the Kingston & Poly website.

Saturday 8 November 2008

Surrey Mens' Cross-Country League, Lightwater Country Park

The club achieved a massive turnout of 16 runners for the second match of the 2008-09 season. As a result of some sterling performances, the club finished in 6th position on the day in Division 3, and has moved up to seventh position overall out of nine teams. Its points total of 1026 after two matches puts it ahead of Epsom Oddballs (1049) and Vets AC (1120), and just four points behind British Airways (1022) and 23 behind Croydon Harriers (1003). This makes it all the more important to get good turnouts in the remaining two matches on 10 January and 7 February to consolidate the club's position above the drop zone (8th and 9th places).

First home, in 6th position, was Steve Bishop in 30:03 for the five mile course, followed by Richard Williams (16th, 31:43), Greg Sherriff (24th, 32:18). Particular mention must be made of the excellent performance of debutant Andy Towersley, who was fourth Holland man home in a time of 33:24 for the 5 mile course, giving him 39th position overall. Other scorers (some times were not recorded) were Stuart Dickinson (80th), Mick Hayes (82nd), Mick Chappell (90th), Paul Bowen (113th), Les Huitson (135th, 38:26), and Gerry Simpson (151st). Other finishers were Martin Berry (166th, 40:33), Richard Timmis (169th, 40:47), Chris Silvani (181st, 41:49), Arnold Rady (190th, 43:17), Graham Pullen (199th, 45:19) and Dave Curtis (210th).

Surrey Ladies' Cross-Country League, Lightwater Country Park

Disappointingly, only four women out of a promised eight turned up at Lightwater Country Park for the second fixture of the 2008-09 Surrey Ladies' Cross-Country League at Lightwater Country Park. As a result, with less than a full scoring team of five, the club was heavily penalised for the missing fifth team member, finished in 17th position on the day and accordingly fell down the league table into 12th position. Those who failed to turn up missing a good run over an attractive wooded heathland course in mild, sunny weather - the torrential rain that we drove through to get to the venue gave way to bright sunshine by the time we arrived.

First home was 22-year-old Sarah Statham, 123rd overall and 40th in Division 2 in a time of 29:14. She was followed in by her mum Maggie Statham (143rd overall, 50th in Division 2) in 29:51, Karen Farnham (184th overall 68th in Division 2) in 31.15, and Judith Ladd, still with the Barns Green half marathon in her legs (227th overall, 88th in Division 2) in 33:10.

Over 300 runners completed this 6,440 metre (4.0 mile) course.

Surrey Cross-Country - Boys, Lightwater Country Park

Holland's boys are now winning the U13 age group! If we can field full teams in the remaining two fixtures, we should win the league! In the U15/17 league, we're in third position, in striking distance of second place Waverley Harriers.

Saturday 18 October 2008

Surrey Veterans' Cross-Country Championships, Richmond Park

Maggie Statham, Holland's sole female representative at the Surrey vets cross-country champs, won the W55 gold medal, completing the testing 6K course in a time of 28 mins 02, finishing in 24th place overall. This latest success added to her considerable tally of achievements at this event over the last 20 years.

Saturday 11 October 2008

Surrey League Men's and Ladies' Cross-Countries, Nork Park, Burgh Heath

The first Surrey League cross-country matches of the 2008-09 season took place at Nork Park, Banstead, on Saturday 11 October. Fabulous warm, sunny autumnal weather brought out big fields in both the women's and men's events. The course for both the senior men and women involved two laps of a flat recreation ground followed by a large lap that dropped down over the open grass trails of Nork Park, giving runners a spectacular view of west London as they plunged down to the bottom, followed by a long gruelling climb back to the recreation ground at the top. The women did two of these large laps while the men did three. The women's course was 4 miles while the men's course was over 5. This was an excellent, attractive venue for a cross-country match and the atmosphere was buzzing as runners gathered for the start of the new season.

There was the largest-ever turnout in the Surrey ladies' cross-country league’s history, with 330 runners, and the event was graced by the presence of the former 5000m World Champion, Sonia O'Sullivan who, despite now being a veteran (39), finished 4th overall.

Holland Sports in Division Two had a great turnout, with an A team of 5 runners, and was only one short in the B team. Leading the way for Holland was Maddy Lee-Smith who, despite problems with her ankle causing her to run conservatively, still finished 31st in 29m 37secs (99th overall). Maddy was followed by mother Maggie Statham and debutant daughter Sarah, finishing respectively 47th (141) in 30m 47 and 58th (166) in 31m 30. Then there were the twin sisters Chris Farnham and Karen Farnham, respectively 77th (202) in 32m 47 and 79th (208) in 33.01. This A team finished a very creditable ninth out of 22 teams.

The B team was lead by Maria Adaway 87th (221) in 33m 30, Judith Ladd - only 9 months after giving birth - 91st (226) in 33m 36, Barbara Towers 141st (308) in 38m 12, and Rachel Collins on her debut 144th (317) in 39m 35 - with Greg her boyfriend performing in the men’s race. The Ladies B team finished eighth out of 12.

At time of going to press the newly promoted men’s team unofficially finished 8th out of 9 in Division 3, only a few points behind 7th placed Croydon AC.

Steve Bishop as usual ran a great race finishing 5th overall, but 2nd in Division Three, in 31m 52s. Greg Sherriff finished an excellent 20th (31) in 34m 45. Stuart Dickinson was 3rd scorer in 58th (87) in 38m 32, closely followed by Guenther Jakeli in 59th (89) in 38m 33. Paul Byrne was 67th (103) in 39m 21, Mick Chappell 73rd (113) in 40m 02, Paul Bowen 71st (124) in 40m 41, Gerry Simpson 86th (134) in 41m 12, Les Huitson 94th (142) in 41m 53, and Martin Berry 104th (164) in 43m 37 last of the scorers. Richard Timmis was 116th (191) in 46m 30 and Graham Pullen 121st (198) in 48m 51.