With Autumn in full swing and the athletics season over, runners once again turn their attention to cross country. The first London Colleges League meet of the season took place on Wednesday 21st October at Parliament Hill, a course familiar to many runners around the country and the annual starting location for the league.
With a record 252 athletes competing, each club was keen to make a strong start. St Mary’s have had a stronghold over the men’s league in recent years, winning the last five titles. Meanwhile, King’s College London women’s team are hoping to repeat their success from last year when they were crowned champions for the first time since 2009.
Philippa Bowden of Brunel came home first in the women’s race in 13:41 minutes, closely followed by Emma Dixon of the Royal Veterinary College and Lilly Coward of St. Mary’s. With four of their runners placing in the top seven, St. Mary’s are currently in first place in the team standings, with Brunel in second and Imperial in third.
In the men’s race, St Mary’s continued where they left off last season, bagging first, second, and third place. Emile Cairess came out the victor, finishing in 24:13 minutes, followed by his teammates Liam Burthem and Corey De’Ath. It’s no surprise then that St Mary’s is first in the team rankings, with St Mary’s II in second and UCL currently in third.
All is to play for in the second race of the season on Wednesday 2nd November in Mitcham Common. The rest of the fixtures can be viewed here http://www.london-athletics.com/news_posts/2016-17-fixtures-announced/
Also don’t forget to sign up for the London Student’s run at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 4th December, at http://londonstudentsrun.com/
