Dulwich Runners round-up: Return of Midsummers Relays and children’s fun run
Dulwich Runners’ children’s fun run and Midsummers Relays made a welcome return to Dulwich Park last week after a three-year absence.
The fun run saw 48 children complete the one-mile lap of the park, with 2018 winner Elena Oliphant securing her second title in 5:44. Alfie Bryan was the first boy home in 5:53.
The relays saw 85 teams of three runners complete one-mile laps of the park, with excellent representation from a mix of South London running and triathlon clubs alongside groups of friends and family.
Following the usual fast and furious start, Daryl Cyprien of South London Harriers set the early pace with the second best run of the evening in a superb 4:50, with Dulwich Runners’ Andy Bond next over the line in 4:53.
The second lap saw Kent AC’s Rob Sesemann blast the field away in a time of 4:37 for the best run of the night. Jack Brotchie of Herne Hill Harriers ran a terrific 4:56 to place them in second place for the final change over.
Adrian Lowther ran a measured final leg in 5:01 to secure Kent AC men the race in 14:47. Ben Howe (4:53) of Dulwich gradually reeled in his Herne Hill rival Ross Brown (5:04) on the final lap to place second (15:00), with Herne Hill taking a comfortable third (15:05).
Kent AC’s mixed team of Richard Giles, Bryony Procter and Calum Fraser (15:37) had just too much to beat a promising debut from Dulwich Runners’ newbies team of Eve Wilde (5:26 – the fastest female on the night), Rob Archer and Luca Constante (16:08) and a strong all round performance from Windrush Tri’s team of James Naldrett, Sophie Roberts and Simon Sowerby (16:21).
Kent AC then secured a clean sweep with their women’s team of Sarah Hanley, Clare Elms and Katie Rowland (17:03), proving too strong for Herne Hill’s collective of Julia Wedmore, Nikki Surzaker and Lauren Martin (18:01) and Kent’s own B team of Clare Oxlade, Genevieve Blanch and Nesrien Sabanchi (18:08).