The Stags Enjoy a Day at the Races at Vicky Park in the Chingford League

Saturday 1st February saw the sixth Chingford League race of the season at Victoria Park and once again it proved to be another great day of racing for the Stags with a stunning performance and PB from Charlie White to lead our men’s team home and an outstanding Club debut from newest member Naomi Allen in leading our women home. Richard McCormick was the first M60 finisher for the 6th race in a row and for the 2nd year in succession is the M60 champion. Brilliant! Lots of 5 mile PBs including Kathryn Ellis and Brian Lallaway who both had great races. Paul Carter continued his challenge for the Winter Points Trophy with a fine performance, once again demonstrating what a great season he’s having. Emma Salmon, currently training for the London Marathon, was very quick too as were Tim Ward, Nick Scott and Annabelle White and it was great to see Liam O’Hare racing after some years’ absence. Our turnout was once again the envy of many other clubs. Thirty four Stags raced (14 women and 20 men); six making their season’s debut in the Chingford League. Huge congratulations to them all.

It was a new course this year; one short lap and two long laps with no figure of 8 loop anymore. It is still a measured 5 miles, perfect underfoot and as flat and fast as always making it ideal for Power of 10 friendly PBs which explains the huge turnout of 500 plus seniors. Inevitably this meant congestion at the start but nobody complained once they saw their finish times and indeed many of our racers secured 5K as well as 5 mile PBs. Many of us will happily return next year in an attempt to improve our times.

As ever huge thanks are due to Di Godin for help with the numbers and much else on the day and Pauline Michael for the photos while the encouragement of the rest of our travelling support was, as always, hugely welcome!

Nobody can beat the Stags for Team Spirit!

It was a great day for us and the final race of the season, the always fun, exciting and chaotic Relays on 8th March, promises to be another great day out too. There are ‘on the day’ cups to challenge for as well. Can’t wait!