Race Report - Met League Cross Country Race 4 – Welwyn Garden City

Most people know Welwyn Garden City for being Britain’s second ‘new town’ but runners will tell you the most important thing about it is the camber on two long slopes of the cross country course in Stanborough Park.

After last week’s rain, we were lucky to (mostly) dodge the showers but there were waterlogged patches and slippery slopes causing more than one tumble by athletes, officials and supporters. However, our battling team of 25 all made it safely home, despite the need to run with one leg about six inches further downhill than the other on the three-lap course.

Our men did very well to keep us just above the relegation zone in Division Two. The final race of the Met League season is at Trent Park on Saturday 11 February, which we hope means we can field the strongest possible team and scoop up a vital bunch of points.

They were again lead home by Simon Brown, followed by the ever reliable Calvin Wu and a minute behind him, Michael Walker making his first appearance of the year in the Met League. Ten runners score in this division, so credit is due to the whole pack who contribute to our success.

A great turnout from the women means we are still comfortably in overall second place in Division Two and came third on the day in Division Three. Herts Phoenix could catch up, but with home advantage on 11 February we should be able to hold them off and gain promotion to Division One. Yet again, Jo and Kath lead the women home but this time they had Martha Hall breathing down their necks, also turnout out for her first Met League race of the season.

A shout out for Steph is deserved as she finished with a decent time despite slipping over and for Davina whose laces came undone but she made up the lost ground to maintain her finishing position.

Runners aged 35+ also contribute points to the Vets’ Divisions. We are in 3rd place in the Veteran Women’s Division ONE and 4th in the Veteran Men’s Division Two.

Full results can be found on the Met League website https://metleague.run/