Athletics: Dulwich Runners win opening Assembly League fixture

Dulwich Runners made a winning start to the Assembly League on an undulating 5km course at Beckenham Place Park, writes Jonathan Whittaker.

This popular summer evening series of four races features clubs from all over London and is one of the few league competitions where men and women run together in the same race.

Ed Chuck, Jack Ramm and Kent AC’s Dame Dibaba opened up a gap after the initial technical woodland section which they maintained for the rest of the race.

In the closing kilometre Chuck and Dibaba pulled away from Ramm, with the former just having enough pace to take the win in a stunning 15:46. Dibaba clocked 15:47 with Ramm third (15:52).

Andy Bond is similarly in impressive form following another 10k PB and club record at the recent Vitality 10k. He secured fifth place (16:15), heading home a trio of Dulwich Runners – Rob Armstrong (16:16, sixth) and Ben Howe (16:19, seventh).

Dulwich gained maximum points ahead of close rivals Kent AC to make a strong initial defence of the men’s trophy won in 2019.

Dulwich’s women placed consistently well in the top 20 to secure second place. Kay Sheedy (19:47, fifth), a promising debut from Alexandra McClelland (20:18, eighth), Becca Schulleri (20:30, 10th) and Yvette Dore (20:53, 18th) were the club’s scorers.