Verity Dunbar 
Probably the toughest race of the season took the A&D team to the muddy and hilly South of Thames Cross Country Championships at Croydon. Team members Adrian Beresford and Keith Haynes had the extra complication of being delayed due to helping out at an accident on the M20 on the way to the race.
There was healthy competition with Jon Wells and Julius Sampson battling with each other through the race.
Scotty Lynch suffered cuts with a fall on the second lap, but dug deep to be the third finisher for the club. Strong cross country runs from veteran Adrian Moody, along with James Booth and Keith Haynes contributed to a solid club performance. Chris Francis saw his club cross country debut at this uncompromising race. Adrian Beresford put aside the aftermath of the club Christmas party with a determined run.
Becks Macey battled through illness to be First Lady finisher. Linda-Jean Delport chose the challenging race to present a determined run and very respectable time. Rhian Shrimplin return was marked with an excellent run on the day. Cooper Massah, Alison Waters and Lucy Ellen Johnson battled through the extreme conditions and completed the superb team performance. Chris Costiff and Gill O’Connor ran the Christmas pudding 5 mile race at a rain affected Pet Level. Chris being first in her age group with Gill third.
Sunday saw the first running of the Chairmans Christmas Charity run. A good turnout from the club took runners around the lanes towards Westwell. The event started at the Hare and Hounds on Sandyhurst Lane and the runners appreciated a revitalising breakfast on their return. Heavy rain led to knee deep floods on Kingsland Lane along and deep puddles throughout the route this made for wet socks but did not dampen the spirits of the runners. Unfortunately Phil Bridges suffered a fractured fibula due to a fall, and we all wish him a speedy recovery. The event raised £215 for Pilgrims Hospice.
