Heathsiders were out and about all over the country on a blustery weekend, with the main event for the club (in terms of numbers participating) being the Watford Half where some 40 members took part. A small contingent of brave youngsters also braved the unfavourable weather conditions to represent the club at the NW London Young Athlete’s XC League meeting at Harrow
Read MoreThis week saw the Southern England Cross Country Championships, where 94 Heathsiders took on the other clubs in the region on Parliament Hill, one of the UK’s most anticipated cross-country venues. Despite steep, slippery slopes and seemingly endless mud, Heathsiders pulled off one of their best performances in regional cross country history, with the women’s and men’s teams coming 4th and 15th respectively. There were also some great individual performances, including those from club legend Adam Kirk-Smith, Rebecca Piggott and Rachel Seckl. A few Heathsiders also somehow escaped the mud, running in 10ks and half marathons elsewhere.
Read MoreThe very well-organized, popular and scenic Fred Hughes 10 hosted nine Heathsiders over rolling hills in the countryside around St Albans this Sunday. Although not serving as the club road championships this year, the race became both historic for London Heathside and memorable for some of the club’s runners.
Read MoreThe irrepressible Adam Kirk-Smith rebounded from a soggy, boggy Met League course at Perivale to win bronze in the 1500m. This is AKS's second SEAA medal (he got bronze in the 5000m outdoors last summer). He also broke the club record for 1500 indoor, running 4:04 to win his heat and 4:01 in the final.
Read MoreThe fourth Met League fixture of the season had everything that makes mid-winter cross-country so compelling - mud, hills, puddles (with a bit of ice), cold, mud, and more mud. Add to that some outstanding individual and team performances and you have the makings of another memorable afternoon for the Heathside faithful, of whom more than 100 did battle with the other clubs at Horsenden Hill and lived to tell the tale. Despite much flouting of Hartley’s Rules* among the ranks, results proved to be more than satisfactory.
Read MoreHeathside’s women’s cross-country team added to their gold medal collection on Saturday – with the Middlesex winner’s trophy taking its place alongside their North London and London gongs.
Read MoreMany Heathsiders had a busy start to the New Year. Over 40 Heathsides raced on New Year’s Day alone either in Hyde Park or in parkruns. Adam Kirk-Smith and Heathside men were particularly successful in Hyde Park, as were Andy Barnes and Ulla Cartwright-Finch in the Olympic Park 10K. A few Heathsiders also stayed indoors on New Year’s Day to set PBs in Lea Valley.
Read MoreNot surprisingly there is very little report during this festive weekend, but Rebecca Bunting excelled in the aptly named Buntingford 10 and Dan, Joe and Louisa all improved on their times from last year in the Tempo 10K in Warwickshire. Parkrunning was definitely the popular option, with races on both Boxing Day and Christmas Day and many Heathsiders doing the double.
Read MoreWe had an unusual Christmas cracker on the south coast with two Heathsiders going head to head at the Harbour 50k Challenge in Portsmouth.
Read MoreA round-up of the latest festive races and the Christmas party!
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