The National Inter Counties was held again at Wollaton Hall in Nottingham on Saturday and, on a grey, dry and still day, the course held up very well despite the heavy rain of February. The race also featured the climax of the season-long series of British Cross Challenge races.
There was good representation from Chiltern Harriers athletes at this biggest and best of the end of season cross country championships. Twenty-seven Chiltern runners took part for Buckinghamshire or Hertfordshire teams.
 
U20 Men
Alex Hughes and Jack Turner were the only two Bucks U20 Men taking part and finished 96th and 144th respectively. Callum Powell was the third scorer in the Herts team that came 11th to be 108th.
 
U13 Girls
Chloe Willson led in the Herts team in an impressive 35th. There was a good Chiltern presence in the Bucks team with Sunaya Nanda first scorer in 101st, Aura Lue Fong second scorer in 129th and Lottie Monnington fourth scorer in 145th. Herts were 16th, Bucks 27th.
 
Senior Women
Bucks fielded a full team for the first time in many years. Katie Repper was first scorer in 113th, Charlotte Docwra third scorer in 190th and Katie Royals fourth scorer in 194th. The team was 27th. Meanwhile Bev Whitfield had a good run to be fourth scorer in the Herts team that was 14th, coming an impressive 116th.
 
U15 Boys
Harrison Lawrence in 198th and Isaac McCall in 208th were sixth and seventh finishers in the Bucks team that was 20th.
 
U17 Women
Alex Whitfield was the leading Herts runner, coming 54th .
 
U17 Men
There was good Chiltern representation in this one with Tom Ford leading in the Herts team in 25th. For Bucks Edward Johnson was second scorer in 43rd, James Malin fourth scorer in 175th, James Holdsworth fifth finisher in 177th.
 
U13 Boys
William Clasby was sixth Bucks finisher in 120th.
 
U20 Women
Jocelyn Davies was the leading Bucks runner, coming a strong 82nd and Emily Ford was second Herts scorer in 85th.
 
U15 Girls
The Bucks team were eighth in this one. Juliette MacDougall was third scorer in 61st, Nell Frost fourth scorer in 86th, Maya Davis fifth finisher in 143rd and Annie-Rose Quantrill sixth finisher in 213th.
 
Senior Men
The highest placed Chiltern athlete of the day was Richard Slade who had another strong run to be third in the Senior Men’s race. This confirmed Richard as bronze medallist in the Cross Challenge standings. Also competing for Bucks was Tim Lawrence who was seventh county finisher in 192nd.

This year it was the turn of the Northern Cross-Country Association to host the National Club Championships and Sedgefield Harriers organised a great event. The course was undulating, surprisingly firm underfoot, and very spectator friendly.
Three Chiltern Harriers Senior Men competed in the Championships. The 12k race was very fast paced from the start, with the first kilometre taking only 2:44 and the race continued in that vein for the remaining 11km. Three men, including Richard Slade, had broken away from the field by the end of the first lap. The fierce pace set by Hugo Milner resulted in Richard being dropped on the 2nd lap of three and he eventually finished 3rd, the second consecutive year he has finished on the podium.
Simon Bossi, running in his first English National Championships, ran very well to finish 61st.and said he’d enjoyed his first visit to the North.  Jonny Slade was the 3rd Chiltern competitor, and ran hard to finish 531st, importantly ahead of his training partner!
There were 1046 finishers.
​

Happy International Women’s Day, CHAC. I hope you’ve enjoyed the day, despite the rather gloomy weather.

Congratulations to all who took part in yesterday’s Intercounties Cross Country in Nottingham. Look out for a report from Steve Perkin  Meanwhile Chiltern were well-represented at the XNRG Humanity Direct Amersham event, braving the perils of a muddy Herberts Hole and Chess Valley after the wet start to 2026. Lindsay Turner and Ben Hannen were in action in the 50k, clocking times of 6.23.36 and 6.42.04, respectively.  Paul McCarthy did brilliantly to finish 3rd overall in the 25k in a time of 2.12.07. He was joined by: Tim Margetts (5th place) in 2.23.59; Lauren Mayot (1st in age category) in 2.33.30; Heidi Folkard (2.41.20); and Doug Smith (3.03.13). Well done, all!

Happy St David’s Day, Race Report Fans! I hope the daffodils have been smiling at you, wherever you are.

Let’s kick things off with something a little bit different. Stateside Chisom Nwafor was competing for Kansas State University at the prestigious “Big 12 Indoor” Championship in Lubbock, Texas (27 – 28 February). Her long jump of 6.51m put Chisom at the top the UK Senior Women’s rankings – an absolutely insane achievement. This reporter can only look on in awe and look forward to maybe having the honour of raking the sand for Chisom when she is back home sometime and fancies a dally at the Southern Athletics League…

Season Best 2026 - compiled by Steve Perkin

800m Section 1
U14 Jack Dalton scored a five-second PB in race 7 with 2.29.91. U16 Maya Davis had been running well over the country and carried this form indoors with a four-second PB in race 10 with 2.21.40.
 
800m Section 2
U18 Issy Robinson made her 800m season debut, after indoor efforts at 1500m and 400m, to log a strong time of 2.24.13 in race 3. In race 6 fellow U18 Mattie Gemmell ran well for 2.09.83, a little outside his best.
 
1500m
All three U18s scored PBs in the 1500m races. In race 6 James Malin took the win to beat his previous best by 53 seconds to run 4.34.99. In race 7 Evelyn Wildman took her mark down to 4.30.04, enhancing her current position as leader of the UK rankings in the age group. In race 8 Eddie O’Brien ran a well-paced race to take his best down to 4.31.04.

Several Chiltern Harriers athletes have been selected to race for their county or county schools teams at the last big two cross country championships of the year.
 
The National Inter Counties is at Wollaton Hall, Nottingham on Saturday March 7th, and the English Schools Championships is at Sefton Park, Liverpool a week later.
 
National Inter Counties
Under 13 Girls Bucks
Sunaya Nanda, Lottie Monnington, Aura Lue Fong
U13 Girls Herts
Chloe Willson
U15 Girls Bucks
Nell Frost, Maya Davis, Juliette MacDougall, Annie-Rose Quantrill
U17 Women Herts
Alex Whitfield
U20 Women Bucks
Jocelyn Davies
U20 Women Herts
Emily Ford
Senior Women Bucks
Katie Repper, Katie Royals, Charlotte Docwra, Maddie Hughes
U13 Boys Bucks
William Clasby
U15 Boys Bucks
Harrison Lawrence, Isaac McCall
U17 Men Bucks
Edward Johnson, James Holdsworth, James Malin
U17 Men Herts
Tom Ford
U20 Men Bucks
Jack Turner, Alex Hughes
Senior Men Bucks
Richard Slade, Tim Lawrence
  
English Schools
Junior Girls Bucks Schools
Juliette MacDougal, Nell Frost, Aura Lue-Fong
Inter Girls Bucks Schools
Maya Davis, Megan Lockwood
Inter Girls Herts Schools
Alex Whitfield
Senior Girls Bucks Schools
Alice Peckham
Senior Girls Herts Schools
Emily Ford
Junior Boys Bucks Schools
Harrison Lawrence
Inter Boys Herts Schools
Tom Ford
Senior Boys
Edward Johnson, Alex Hughes, Callum Powell, Jack Turner

England Athletics U15/U17/U20 Championships
Chiltern athletes secured an excellent return on participation at the national age group indoor championships at the English Institute of Sport at Sheffield at the weekend.
This very high-level meeting gives track and field athletes an opportunity to compete against their strongest peers from around the country.
Both Chiltern competitors were in action on Sunday afternoon. U17 Emile Morti took his PB down to 8.06 in winning his 60m Hurdles heat and improved that again to log 7.95 to claim the silver medal in the final.
A little later fellow U17 Evelyn Wildman was running in the final of the 1500m which also included a strong field of U20 women. In a busy and tactically challenging race Evelyn claimed the U17 gold and finished second overall. Her time of 4.32.70 was just outside her PB set last year outdoors.
 
SEAA U20/Senior Championships
A week earlier saw some Chiltern U20s at Lee Valley for the Southern Championships. In the U20 Women’s 400m Issy Robinson made a good debut to log 61.93 in her heat and finish fifth in her semi-final. Yasmin Warnes ran 65.36 in her heat. In the 200m Abi Masters ran well for 28.58 in her heat.
 
Ayo Falola Dream Mile meeting
Euan Pinder came down from Durham to run a season’s best 1.54.44 in the 800m C race at this prestigious Wednesday night meeting at Lee Valley.
 
Beantown Challenge Meeting
Across the pond Archie Pinder got his indoor season going in Cambridge, Massachusetts to run 1.26.50 in his 600m debut.
 
London Indoor Games
Jan 24/25 saw the London Indoor Games at Lee Valley where several Chiltern athletes competed well. In the U17 women’s 800m there was a Chiltern 1-2 with Evelyn Wildman winning in 2.16.60 and Maya Davis second in 2.25.80. In the U15 girls event Holly Knott won her 800m race in 2.30.52 and added 1.36m in high jump.
 
In the U13 boys 60m Toby Moore ran 9.36 to win his heat. George Aliaj (U15) ran 8.52 in his 60m event. U15 Nia Beckford ran 8.80 in her 60m and added 10.69 for 60m hurdles and 3.80m for long jump. U17 Emile Morti ran 8.08 and 8.11 in his 60m hurdles races.

A great turnout of ninety-four runners saw Chiltern Harriers take the win at the fifth and final match of the Chiltern League series and complete a third overall win in five years.
On a wet, miserable day the flat grassy courses at Stopsley Park, Luton were predictably soft and had cut up quite badly by the time of the Senior Men’s race at the end.
 
It has been a good season for the Chiltern U11s. The girls were fourth on Saturday but did enough to hold on for team bronze medals. The team were led in as usual by Ezrayah Latham who was fourth, and Martha Stanley 15th and Marni Ison-Stierer 24th completed the scoring. Jemima Barnes was just behind in 25th and Ida Goldman in 33rd. Ezrayah ended up fifth overall with Martha 13th and Marni 20th.
 
The U11 Boys were second and ended up second overall. Kit Reynolds in sixth, Ollie Dixon in 11th and Evan Atkinson in 17th were the scorers. Also contributing were Floyd Nallamilli (19th), Freddy Higgins (22nd), Jacob Harris (24th), Ethan Brown (29th), Oliver Vandenbrekel (31st), Oliver Ingham (36th), and Joseph Holdsworth (43rd). At season-end Kit was seventh, Evan 12th and Ollie 13th.
 
There was another good outing from the U13 Girls, finishing second on the day and confirming third overall. The scoring foursome featured great runs from Sunaya Nanda (second) and Lottie Monnington (fourth) having possibly their best runs of the season, and good back-up from Emilia Ingham (22nd) and Amelia Hanstein (31st). Anna Whitty competed the team in 47th. Chloe Willson had already sealed the overall win with Sunaya fifth and Lottie tenth.
 
The U13 Boys had a strong showing on Saturday to be second but missed out on the podium, finishing fourth overall. The scoring four were William Clasby (fifth), Barnaby Williams (17th), Jack Dalton (18th), and Jack Dixon (20th). Also featuring were Harvey Cartledge (26th), James Woodgate (27th), Jonathan Kalibbala (34th), and Thomas Cooper (43rd). Individually William was seventh, Jack Dalton 15th, Barnaby 16th.
 
In-form athletes Maya Davis and Juliette MacDougall were second and third in the U15 Girls race, and, with good support from Annie-Rose Quantrill (13th), and Nia Clarke (15th), took the win on the day. Amelia Qasam was 34th The girls were second overall, with Maya fifth and Juliette sixth overall.
 
The U15 Boys have had a big turnout at each match with great loyalty and commitment from the lads. They were fourth on Saturday and ended up fourth overall. Harrison Lawrence continued his good recent form to be ninth and was helped in the scoring by Isaac McCall (16th), Josh Woodward (20th), and Jack Rogers (23rd). Strong back-up as always came from John Rooney (24th), Isaac Brown (25th), Colin Miles (26th), Jacob McCall (28th), Isaac Taylor (29th), Kit Dixon (32nd), Oliver Atkinson (33rd), and Hector Gamblen (42nd). Harrison was best placed individual in the final league standings with 17th.
 
The U17/20 Women’s team again saw a good turnout with Alex Whitfield (third), Emily Ford (tenth), and Jocelyn Davies (15th) scoring. Further good efforts came from Lucinda McRonald (20th), Megan Lockwood (25th), and Lydia Cross (41st). The girls were second on Saturday and have held second throughout the campaign. Alex Whitfield was bronze medallist in the U17 standings, Jocelyn Davies fourth in the U20s.
 
Tom Ford in second and Edward Johnson in third led the scoring in the U17 Men’s race. Excellent packing came from James Malin (ninth) and James Henderson (tenth) to score, Ben Reeder (11th), Zach Cleary (12th), Eddie O’Brien (15th), and Charlie Quantrill (23rd). The boys won on the day and ensured their overall win. In the individual standings Tom was silver medallist and Edward bronze medallist.
 
The Senior Women were third on the day and confirmed second overall. The scoring six on the day were Ellie Bates (18th), Bex Nkoane (21st), Jess Orr (26th), Charlotte Docwra (27th), Carys Evans (38th), and Jenny Bizley (44th). Also featuring were Cath Holloway (47th), Sylvia Moss (79th), Marlie Nkoane (84th), Heidi Folkard (96th), Miriam Kempson (114th), Tamsin Finch (119th), Caroline Stevens (129th), and Fiona Calder (134th). The vets quartet (Ellie, Bex, Jenny, and Cath) were third but that was enough to secure the Vets title for the season. Overall in the Seniors Katie Royals was eighth, Charlotte Docwra 11th. Ellie Bates was fourth Vet 35, Bev Whitfield second Vet 45. Cath Holloway was the winner of the Vet 55 title and Sue Slade sixth, Heidi Folkard seventh.
 
There was another strong effort from the Senior Men to ensure the overall win on the day. Despite missing some scorers from the previous match, others came in to create just as good a team. Simon Bossi was an excellent second, Alex Aldred third and Harry Cox eighth. Also scoring were Alex Hughes (12th), Jack Turner (21st), Callum Powell (23rd), Adam Shute (30th), Cameron Reid (35th), Nick Hughes (37th), and James Turner (38th). Completing the team were Aran Davidson (42nd), Tom Dixon (50th), Daniel Munn (63rd), Jonny Slade (92nd), Russell Vandenbrekel (127th), Ben Hannen (133rd), Alan Crozier (137th), Jon Taylor (151st), Ed Wright (189th), Stuart Henderson (207th), and Mark Johnson (208th). The team were second on the day and were second overall. The Vets team of Adam, Nick, James and Tom won on the day and the team also won overall. The U20 team of Alex, Jack and Callum were second and were second overall.
 
Consistently good performances at all five matches saw Alex Aldred come out as the individual winner of the Senior Men’s league overall: a great achievement. Aran Davidson was seventh. In the U20s Jack Turner was ninth and Daniel Munn eleventh. Tim Lawrence was second Vet 40 with James Turner fourth and Tom Dixon eighth. Nick Hughes was the Vet 50 individual winner.
So that makes a trio of Chiltern wins in the past five years. A great result and something to celebrate. Here’s something from Ellie Bates on that -
 
Come celebrate the Club's success at the Chiltern League and enjoy some great food and company at our Summer Social and Awards Evening. We'll be handing out medals from the League. Save the date: 9th May 2026, Chesham Cricket Club. Tickets go on sale in March. 

Year 5 and 6 Girls
This 1.6k race saw a good win from Ezrayah Latham and there were good runs from Jemima Barnes in tenth and Martha Stanley in 12th.
 
Year 5 and 6 Boys
Further good runs came in the primary schools boys race with Kit Reynolds fourth, Olly Dixon ninth and Freddy Higgins tenth. Evan Atkinson was 19th and Oliver Ingham 37th.
 
Minor Girls (Year 7)
Sunaya Nanda won the year 7 race over a 2k route and Amelia Hanstein was 13th.
 
Minor Boys (Year 7)
A further Chiltern win came from William Clasby and there were good efforts from Harvey Cartledge in 6th and Jonathan Kalibbala in 13th.
 
Junior Girls (Years 8 and 9)
In a big field of 124 Juliette MacDougall had a very good run to be second with Nell Frost just behind in third. Aura Lue-Fong was seventh. Annie-Rose Quantrill was 11th, Lottie Monnington 20th and Mala Baha 26th. Aiyla Haigh was 39th, Amelia Qasam 59th and Millie Killingback 68th.
 
Junior Boys (Years 8 and 9)
Harrison Lawrence was fifth, Toby Reynolds was 12th, and Isaac Taylor 14th. Oli Atkinson was 28th, Jack Dixon 38th, Thomas Cooper 50th and Alex Vandenbrekel 69th. There were 125 finishers.
 
Intermediate Girls (Years 10 and 11)
 
The Inter Girls ran with the Senior Girls over a tough 4.7k course. Maya Davis had a great run to be third, Megan Lockwood was sixth and Nia Clarke 12th.
 
Intermediate Boys (Years 10 and 11)
In a similar situation the Inter Boys ran with the Senior Boys over an even tougher 5.6k course. Eddie O’Brien had a strong run to be sixth, Charlie Quatrill was 12th, Colin Miles 15th,
 
Senior Girls (Years 12 and 13)
Alice Peckham was seventh, Lucinda McRonald ninth, Lara Milburn 16th, Lydia Cross 19th, Abi Masters 23rd and Rebecca Lawson 25th.
 
Senior Boys (Years 12 and 13)
A high-quality field battled hard along with a strong Inter contingent and Edward Johnson was second, Alex Hughes fifth, Callum Powell sixth, Jack Turner eighth, James Malin ninth, Zach Cleary 11th, Daniel Munn 12th, Mattie Gemmell 14th, Rory Hilton 16th and Sebastian Mano 20th.