Serpentine round-up - November 2020

Many thanks to David Chalfen for writing up the below, and congratulations to everyone involved.

Several more recent results to report.

The individual standout was Callan Moody placing third in the elite wave at the Milton Keynes 5k, in a road PB of 14.12.

At wider club level, a strong men’s team was delighted to be back racing at the Wimbledon park 5k on 17 October. The Men raced in 10 waves of 10 runners starting one minute apart and with several of London's leading clubs there the men placed 5th. Over a hilly course, notable runs by Andy Greenleaf 15.08 Jonathan Poole 15.19, with fine breakthroughs by George Suthon 16.01 and Jens Sudmeier 16.12. In an incomplete women’s team Tash Sheel ran strongly with 18.29, seventh quickest of all.

Whilst most of us watched the unusual London elite marathon on 4th October, some were in marathon action at Dorney. Member Sam Barnes edged his PB to place 4th in 2.28.36, whilst newish member Jess Wellborn made great progress with a 21 minute PB with 2.51.31, in an excellent second place. With so many cancellations the front end was tremendously strong for a race of this type, 11 men under 2.30. Chris Tsantoulas, newly turned V40, PB’d with 2.39.35, while Isaac Leigh's 2.44.06 didn't quite make the Top 50, close behind Sam Richardson’s PB of 2.42.55.

First day of British autumn and George Suthon won the Dorney Half Marathon running solo from very early on and logging a PB of 72.39.  Two days later, guesting in the Cottage 5k time trial at the ever-swift Battersea Park, Chris Wright ran 15.10 while, after a very long break through various episodes of bad luck, Izzy Clark made a welcome return with 17.26.

A Serpie farewell to Will Green who has rewritten the V45 club marks to a superbly high level. Now relocated near Brighton and transferring to the local Lewes AC he signed off in the notoriously tough Beachy Head marathon, placing an excellent second in 2.54, with some nationally ranked seniors behind him. The nature of the course is such that it is reckoned to be worth 25 to 30 minutes vs a fast road surface.

David Chalfen

Submitted: 29 October 2020

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