Medal Monday report for the start of December

With the inclement weather and our own handicap in Hyde Park among the many races and events cancelled at the weekend, we are pleased to have anything at all to report this #MedalMonday.

Congratulations to Chris Notton in the Stevenage ‘Winter’ Half Marathon on his 1:27:42 PB. ‘Another chance to grind out the underpasses and complete a hat-trick of 3 big races in the last 2 months all being cold, wet and 40mph+ winds. 🥶’ And best wishes to our x-country crew heading back out there next weekend. Hot fruit drink and flapjacks with ginger have been mentioned.

And also ggs to Matt Hearne on doing the Hurtwood 50k in 6hrs 3mins. ‘Very windy, wet and muddy,’ he says.

Well done to those of you who managed to find a parkrun. Helen Lane found Wormwood Scrubs ‘funny’ and ‘memorable‘ and of course ‘slippery’. Some of us prefer to be amused at a distance but I think we get the idea from the somewhat bedraggled picture in the gallery, above.

And although not a competitive event, special not-MedalMonday mention goes to our brave riders for venturing out on Sunday, up and down the slippery, technical hills of north London. Hilary Briggs reports for us on the 12 Climbs of Christmas, organised by Giant in Camden. ‘Not a race and “no rankings or prizes” – so why on earth would you head out early on a wet and still very blustery Sunday morning?’ she says. ‘I did it last year and it was great fun. With the conditions, for me this year it was more about the challenge – pushing myself more than I would have done on my own – and the thought of the warm hospitality at Giant Camden once done. The route was 29k total comprising three times each up Highgate West Hill, Hillway, Swains Lane and Millfield Lane through Fitzroy Park with a total of 828m ascent, all heading down via Highgate West Hill.

‘I was a bit late to the start but met up with Diego and we did the first block together before he pulled away. I opted for steady going and caught up with him and fellow Serpies Joe and Harold at Giant.’

Hilary continues, ‘The rain did ease off and most of the route was reasonably sheltered from the northerly wind – just one spot on the descent where I felt the bike catch the wind though nothing as bad as coming off Beachy Head in the Eastbourne Tri.

‘There was great encouragement on the way round from fellow riders and of course Nick and his volunteers. Best Xmas kit to me was the guy with a set of fairy lights under his transparent rain jacket!!

‘Big thanks to Nick Freilich and team of Giant Store Camden for all the organisation and putting on a monster spread of food and drink afterwards at the store. Look out for next year’s event in Dec 2025.’