Chingford League Relays, Wanstead Flats: We are the Champions!

Saturday saw the final Chingford League race of the season and I’m delighted to say both our men (8 points clear!) and women (6 points clear!) secured the Division 2 titles. From the very first race of the season at the VeloPark we have clearly been the best teams in Division 2 and thoroughly deserved our success. Our turnout has been consistently high and the envy of many other clubs. Indeed a record number of Stags have competed; ninety three!! (48 men and 45 women) and fourteen (Anneli Sydenham, Des Michael, David Scott, Milan Balaz, Phil Collington, Grahame Davies, Steph Harrison, Kathryn Ellis, Ed Fraser, Geraldine Stapleton, Mark Glover, Ann Phillips, Richard McCormick and Mary Brown) have competed in all seven races earning the sought after ‘ever presents’ mug in the process. Needless to say we had the highest number of ‘ever presents’ in the League. Both our B teams came 4th out of all 23 League teams which is an indication of our strength and appetite for racing.

At the sharp end Ed Fraser for the men and Steph Harrison for the women, both ‘ever presents’, were our top scorers over the season. But all who have competed and the coaches, taxi drivers, caterers, marshals, cheerleaders and photographers have contributed to this success, for it was a triumph of the Club as a whole. Our Team Spirit has been second to none and the camaraderie evident on Saturday was testament to that.

In the Individual Points Competition, which was decided at the previous fixture, Richard McCormick was 1st M60 and Sarah Moffatt was 3rd W60. Both were presented with medals after this race which were thoroughly deserved. Congratulations to you both!

As for the Relays themselves they consisted of teams of four each running two miles on a multi-terrain course. Each leg was a flat loop round Wanstead Flats on trails in fields and woods, firm going for the most part but muddy in places. The sun was out and it wasn’t that cold; in truth a great day for racing and that’s what the Stags did: race! No one took it easy but then Stags never do. The men’s A Team (including two U20s Joe Ward and Callum Sydenham) were a magnificent fifth overall while the women’s A Team delivered too with a great performance. Every one of our competitors and every team was fiercely determined  and there were many great performances including lots of fierce but friendly competition between club mates and teams. The women’s B team in particular was in the thick of it and narrowly beat a strong men’s D team.

It was a fun and at times exhilarating day followed by a great end of season pub celebration.