Some of our elite ladies XC team. L to R: Sarah Gillard, Becks Parker, Jill Wilson, Sue Mothershaw, Clare Goodwin, Alix Frost, Rowena Hogg, Fiona Penson and Bethany Swain.
It is indeed that time of the year. Time for Senior XC. We have a couple of great reports on last Saturday’s Ladies and Men’s XC races at Leamington from Becks Parker and Malcolm Bowyer. Many thanks both. It was the Birmingham and District Men’s XC League Centenary Race with all 3 men’s divisions and both ladies divisions competing on the same day, a total of over 800 runners in all.
I loved this quote from Becks’ report “I was chatting to a runner from one of the other clubs who have dropped to division 2. She said that Stratford has a reputation for being supportive and friendly and she wished she lived closer as she wants to do XC with us! I told her to come and say hi next time anyway!
Well we know we’re a special club but it’s nice to hear outsiders support that view.
In London on Sunday, Zak and Sam Lambert were showing what they could do in the Fulham 10k with over 4000 other runners. Zak finished 2nd in his U20 age group, with Sam winning his U17 category. Sam’s chip time of 30:54 places him top of the UK rankings in his age group.
Well done both.
We also have a report on the latest Winter Series Race. Blimey, I’m half expecting to see Halley’s comet this weekend. Again thanks are due to Becks Parker who has somehow managed to send in a couple of smashing reports despite her busy work life.
In what was an excellent weekend for our juniors, or those who have just moved up to the senior XC teams, U17 Marijke Tear-Verwiej was comfortably first female home in the Winter Series race, with 3 of our first 5 runners in the men’s XC being recent recruits from the juniors and our first 2 lady finishers being U23 Georgie Campbell and U20 Niamh Hillard.
Simon Penson writes what he admits to being “an unashamed plug for the swimming sessions that the Club runs”. Why not join him and his fellow swimmers at one or both of the two sessions a week at Shipston pool (Thursday 7.30-8.30pm and Saturday 6.45-7.45am).
There is another plug for the Club’s fundraising 100 Club. My 100 club story is as follows – Earlier in the year I was travelling down to London by train to meet an old work colleague. I had also thought I would pop into Uniqlo in Oxford Street, as I was after a parka type coat. While on the train I had a message from Carolyne Johnston informing me that I had won £100 in the 100 Club draw. I went into Uniqlo and they’d got a smashing parka reduced from £155 to £80, so with my 100 Club winnings it was actually a freebie.
Once again The Stratford Herald have been supportive in their coverage of our endeavours.
Finally, apologies to those of you who didn’t receive one or both of last week’s newsletters. I had a total of 75 bounce backs across both editions. I was conscious of the fact that both editions were on the large size and I had restricted myself to about 25 photos in each but they were obviously too big for some email systems. If you didn’t receive them and would like to, please email me and I can try sending them to you again.
Georgie Campbell, our first lady home in 13th place.
Midlands League Ladies Division 1 Cross Country
Newbold Comyn 15 November 2025
Report – Becks Parker
Fabulous Ladies Rocking the Mud in Leam!
The first race of the cross country season for our ladies was combined with the men’s division 1 and division 2, and the ladies division 2, which made for a very busy Newbold Comyn in Leamington Spa.
The rain the day before had threatened us with a very soggy course but it was surprisingly firm underfoot, which made for some super fast performances.
For me, this race was about our new cross country racers. It is always daunting to even consider racing in cross country, let alone when we are a club in Division One (and racing against the university teams). My special cheers must go to all of the new runners who said ‘go on then, what do I have to lose?’.
That’s how I started and I still race, not fast, but I still enjoy the season.
This year’s new runners ranged from the young (Santa Pavlika for the seniors) to the more experienced in life!
New faces included Angela Williamson, Fiona Penson, Alix Frost, Rowena Hogg and Jill Wilson. You were all amazing, in fact, you were incredible!
First home for Stratford was Georgie Campbell (13th, 24:33) for the seniors (11th senior) followed by a determined Niamh Hillard (62nd 26.54) (21st, junior). Donna Allen, in her second season with the ladies XC (74th, 27:15) was first ladies master home for Stratford (13th, master).
Other notable results came from an outstanding race from Ceri Shephard (101st, 28:36) powering home for the masters in 21st place. She was closely followed by Emma Bexson (115th, 29:17) who wasn’t anticipating a strong run given that she has been training as a firefighter this week!
Bronwen Mansel is our quiet running superhero (118th, 29:24) who was being chased by cross country newbie Santa Pavlika (128th, 29:55) both finishing strong in the senior race in 55th and 61st position. Bronwen had a good season last year and it is pleasing to see her growing in confidence and strength this year.
Newbie Angela WIlliamson (152nds 31:00) found herself with a very impressive start to her cross country career. Stratford’s Masters soon crossed the finish in quick succession with Sarah Gillard (170th, 33:10), Beth Swain (176th, 33:43) and Clare Goodwin (186th 34:47).
Fiona Penson’s debut run was nothing sort of fabulous with determination and grit getting her through the water jumps and mud (195th, 36:43). I was hot on her heels coming in 197th (36:50), I genuinely didn’t know what I would be able to do on the day and just focused on keeping upright and moving forwards. A pleasing race for me.
Sue Mothershaw led the final Stratford ladies home in 202nd (38:33), with Alix Frost 205th (39:42), Rowena Hogg 206th (40:33) and Jill Wilson in 207th (44:00).
I am ridiculously proud of our ladies team, we all ran amazingly, we ran to show everyone that cross country is for all ages and that we are fabulous.
Postscript: I was chatting to a runner from one of the other clubs who have dropped to division 2. She said that Stratford has a reputation for being supportive and friendly and she wished she lived closer as she wants to do XC with us! I told her to come and say hi next time anyway!
For the full results and the results of our runners, please follow the links below:
Dougie Garnett ran a magnificent race, finishing in 10th place in his first run for the seniors, having just moved up from the juniors.
Birmingham and District Mens’ XC League – Div 2
Centenary Race
Newbold Comyn in Leamington Spa.
Report – Malcolm Bowyer
Last Saturday was the start of the new Div 2 Men’s Cross Country season with the first race taking place at Newbold Comyn in Leamington Spa. 19 Stratford runners took part.
There was a possibility that it could have been cancelled with terrible weather the day before. Luckily it was perfect weather on race day.
The course has everything you need for an excellent race with water jumps, a steep hill and then flat fields to pass other runners on.
Stratford men’s team had a good turn out with several new team members including juniors and seniors making their debut.
The weather was calm for the 2.30pm start with 259 runners taking part. The race winner was Detxa Thompson [Loughborough Students] in 32.47.
Stratford got off to an excellent start on the first lap with our first two junior runners Dougie Garnett, Will Mayes followed by senior Sam Wilks. Our third junior was muddy Jamie Mayes, who slipped over twice at the water jump.
Dean Mawby,Tom Southhall and Huw Crosweller were hot on their heels. David Teasdale, Gavin Fowler, Drew Sambridge, Paul Faithfull and Dan Bristow were all within a few places of each other. The ever reliable Rob Gisbourne and our new senior Bogdan Ene were running together for the first lap. Only a few places behind was Chris Beck and making his debut, was senior Mike Hayward, who was running strong throughout the race. Robin Langhorn and Simon Penson were just ahead of long time club member Mike Barrie.
Starting the second lap Dougie Garnett kept his lead for Stratford, finishing strong in 10th in a time of 35.26. Jamie Hall 14th, 36.15 and right behind him in 15th place was Will Mayes, 36.17. Sam Wilks ran a fantastic race to finish in 37.27 in 34th place. Our next junior James Mayes moved up the field to finish in 44th place in a great time of 38.09. Dean Mawby was the 6th runner for Stratford to finish in 56th place in 39.07 which made up the first six runners in the A team.
The B team consisted of Tom Southall 64th/39.33, Huw Crosweller in 83rd place in 40.52. The next two runners David Teasdale 102nd place in 41.26 and Gavin Fowler 11th 41.54 ran the race together until David pulled ahead just at the end. Always reliable Drew Sambridge in 122nd place in 42.41and Paul Faithfull in 143rd place in 43.34 and Dan Bristow in 156th place in 44.16.
Stratford still had runners left to finish. Dan Bristow finished in 156th place in 44.16. Rob Gisbourne was back competing again after a long injury finishing in 160th in 44.36. Bogan Ene made a very strong debut for Stratford finishing in 163rd in 44.50. Chris Beck also kept batting to finish in 176 place in 45.29. A other new senior runner was Mike Hayward in 199th place in 47.41. The last three Stratford runner’s battled to the finish line, Robin Langhorn in 218th place in 49.56, Simon Penson in 229th place in 52.07 and finally never giving up was Mike Barrie in 253rd place in 59.45.
Stratford had a great first race of the season with the A team finishing 3rd out of 14 teams with 173 points and the B team with 625 points finishing 5th out of 13 teams .
Well done to everyone for such a great first race.
The second race is Dec 5th at Cheltenham.
For the full list of results and the results of our runners please follow the links below:
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MIDLAND CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING 1879 – 1979
This article was taken from the Birmingham District Cross Country League website, celebrating Saturday’s centenary race.
On September 26th 1879, the Midland Counties Cross Country Association was formed and this year it celebrates its One Hundredth Anniversary.
Over the years, cross country running has grown in stature and popularity, from an 1830’s “Hare and Hounds” activity to today’s highly organised events.
There were 23 runners in the first M.C.C.C.A Championships, held just over 100 years ago, run from Handsworth to Sutton Park. By comparison, 1365 competitors, covering Boys, Youths, Juniors and Seniors, participated in the 1979 Championships held at Coventry.
We are sure the sport will continue to flourish in this way.
Judging by these ladies’ smiles last Saturdays’ XC must have been fun.
Sarah Gillard and Jill Wilson.
James Mayes. Mud, mud glorious mud.
Zak and Sam Lambert at the UK Youth Development League Group National Final in Liverpool earlier in the year.
Fulham 10k
Zak and Sam Lambert were amongst the 4104 finishers in last Sunday’s Fulham 10k, doing themselves, their family and SuAAC proud.
Zak finished 2nd out of 29 runners in the U20 age category with Sam triumphing in the U17 category, finishing ahead of the other 22 runners. His winning margin being an impressive 76 seconds.
Sam’s chip time of 30:54 places him top of the UK rankings in his U17 age group.
They finished in 49th and 26 place respectively out of the 4104 finishers.
A hugely impressive performance. Well done both
Marijke Tear-Verweij is in a fine run of form. She was first lady finisher in Sunday’s Winter Series race, 1 min 39 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed lady.
Some thoughts on Winter Series Race 2.
Report – Becks Parker
There is a special madness in planning to run races back to back.
Saturday was the ladies cross country for me and Sunday saw the 2nd Winter Series race.
My legs were unimpressed but I had eaten plenty of protein, rested, foam rollered and generally tried to be kind to myself on the Saturday evening.
Even so, I took the race easy, just seeing what my legs would allow me to do. It was the ‘round the village first’ route, which is my preferred option. It was heartening to see plenty of runners both in front of and behind me, walking up the steep parts of Campden road heading out of Illmington village at the 3km point.
I love the downhills and it’s where I can make up places, so I just relaxed and enjoyed the descent, with my feet tappity tap on the new(ish) tarmac on Larkstoke Hill.
Unusually for me, I had on my bone conducting headphones. I rarely wear headphones when I am racing, as I like to interact with other runners but my legs and body were so tired, I knew I needed to help myself with some loud music. In fact, the descent to Insomnia by Faithless was beautiful, as the music is uplifting and worked well with the speed of my size 4 feet.
Sadly, the batteries died in the headphones, just before my legs started to really complain on the final slight incline to the finish line.
I finished in 1:03.11 (186th/342, coming 15th in my age category). Genuinely delighted with that result, especially as my results were on page 4 of 7 pages of results!
The race was won again by Harry Jolly in 37:03. First lady was Marikje Tear-Verweij, from Stratford on Avon in 45:23. Bear in mind that this is Marikje’s first season doing Winter Series and she is currently doing her GCSEs!
Have you ever thought ‘I’d love to have a go at swimming but…’. Maybe you find it difficult to fit in, or perhaps the thought of lane swimming is a bit intimidating?
Recovering from a running injury and getting bored and frustrated? Keen runner and cyclist who’d like to have a go at triathlon but can’t manage a length of front crawl?
If you can answer yes to any or all of these then the club coached swimming sessions are for you!*
Ok so this is an unashamed plug for the swimming sessions that the Club runs.
There are two sessions a week at Shipston pool (Thursday 7.30-8.30pm and Saturday 6.45-7.45am). The sessions are coached and while not providing 1:1 lessons will certainly help you develop confidence and ability in the water.
The coaching team are friendly and the sessions are a good mix of hard work and fun.
The Thursday evening session is particularly well suited to beginners and novices while the Saturday session caters for all and particularly the stronger swimmers and insomniacs (plus there’s often coffee and cake afterwards).
You do need to book on Spond as places are limited but if you are at all curious, come on down to a Thursday evening session and give it a go.
* me 12 months ago!
100 Club
Helen Stanton has a new launch for the 100 Club, an important fundraiser for the club. This is in progress and will be rolled out very soon.
For those of you wishing to join please do so via the email address below.
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