Dulwich Runners round-up: Men and women compete in South of Thames Cross County Championship

BY JONATHAN WHITTAKER

Dulwich Runners finished this year’s racing on a high with commanding performances from both the men’s and women’s teams in the South of Thames Cross Country Association Championship race on Saturday.

Both ran together on a demanding 7.5 mile three-lap course of Beckenham Place Park.

The men’s team finished second in both the first six to score and the Coleman Cup (12 to score) behind a strong Kent AC outfit.

Ed Chuck, in probably his best ever form, was always near the front but could not quite stay with the pace of Tonbridge’s Jamie Goodge (39:10) and Blackheath & Bromley’s Ross Braden (39:25) on the final lap, finishing third (39:40).

Hugh Stobart enjoyed his best-ever cross country performance to finish 12th (42:20) while Tim Bowen survived an accidental collision on the final bend to finish 16th (42:55).

The first six scorers were completed by Adrian Russell (30th, 44:06), Jon Phillips (34th, 44:33) and Sean Cordon (35th, 44:57).

The B team and the rest of the Coleman Cup scoring included excellent runs from Shane Donlon (58th, 47:12), Alex Loftus (62nd, 47:29), Wayne Lashley (63rd, 47:35), Kevin Chadwick (70th, 47:58), Rob Hollands (73rd, 48:11) and Ed Harper-Masters (83rd, 49:36).

The women’s team were third, behind Kent AC and Belgrave Harriers. Clare Elms finished fifth overall (49:20) and first in the W50 category.

Kay Sheedy (7th, 50:58), Katie Styles (13th, 52:39) and Clare Whitaker (15th, 52:56) demonstrated their continued impressive form with Ange Norris in 22nd (54:47) also claiming the W60 gold medal.

The team’s scoring was completed by Ola Balme in 31st (56:54).

Christiana Campbell (45th, 59:51) and Katherine Bond (73rd, 70:45) made their cross country debuts.