Eleven Walthamstow runners made the start line for the first event of the Winter Chingford League. The weather on the night was good. Nick made an attacking start and was rewarded with an excellent 2nd just breaking the 16 minute barrier. Danny ran steadily for 12th and Colin ran well for 21st with a jaded Dey 22nd. Steve made an excellent return to Club racing with 31st, but star of the night was Abraham who ran a PB for 45th. The 'A' team were rewarded with 4th position on the night. Jay, John and Ray all finished close together with Ian and Chris closing the 'B' team.

A good turnout for the club bodes well for the season, but the next fixture will separate the men from the boys!

Thanks to Clive and Dave who officiated on the night.

Hackney Marshes 6 mile cross-country 15/10/05

Idyllic October weather greeted the 132 male and 53 Lady athletes to the Olympic Cross Country course. A perfectly flat grass course with only one puddle meant this was as close to road race as cross country will ever get!

Danny's poor form continued, he said 'I have cut out the Guinness, the Lager, the bitter and even the Sherry, yet I feel worse than ever' after he struggled round. Walthamstow's own Chuckle Brothers, Colin and Dey finished together again as you would expect and then the purple rinsers completed the team - Jay, Ray and Ian. The dinasour, Clivis Shortstridus Ridlius made an amazing return to the league after several years absence.

With no Nick, Steve & Abraham the Club could only manage a poor 8th on the day. 

13	Danny	Rose v40
18	Colin	Read
19	Dey	Wilson
79	Japhet	Samuel v40
88	Ray	Middleton v50
111	Ian	Russell v50
328	A team	8th
116	Clive	Ridley v90

 Eastway Cycle Circuit, 5Km road race 1/11/05

Our best so far - 13 Walthamstow runners made the start line for the 3rd Chingford fixture of the season.

Nick led the field in the race and in the fashion world, possibly the first Walthamstow runner ever to wear his wife's pop socks and Elton John glasses simultaneously. Having worn this outfit at a 10km race on Saturday as well meant fashion fatigue set in and he faded from the lead to just get second. Danny ran poorly again, just holding off the teams youths, Colin & Dey. Abraham ran another pb and Alan made a welcome return.

The next 7 runners all ran well so the Club could hold its head up high - 4th in 'A', 'B' & vets teams on the night!

Highams Park 5 mile cross-country 10/12/05

Walthamstow hosted the fixture in almost perfect dry, sunny & still conditions. Thanks go to all the helpers who made the event possible - Brian & Maureen, Terry, Clive, Alan, Alan, Alan, Mike, Ronnie, Roger & Dave. With Brian & Maureen down for the weekend it was just like old times!

For a cross country fixture, the Club turnout was reasonable. Danny successfully continued his vein of mediocre form with Dey and Colin following him in. Then it was the turn of the super vets to complete the teams.

Heavy rain the previous day turned the usual Trent Park course into a muddy slippery quagmire. The New Year meant the field was smaller than usual. Colin led the team from the start and was only overhauled by Danny in the later stages. The average age of the 'A' team was undoubtedly the highest on the day!

Victoria Park 5 mile road race 21/01/06

Excellent running conditions greeted the runners for this popular league fixture. Paula (as Nick likes to be called when cross running) went for it from the start, but eventually lost ground 1/2 way round to the 2 leading Barnet boys (wearing mens socks unlike Paula) , but he finished well to claim 3rd in a respectable time. Dey was next man home, hopefully showing a return to top form is just around the corner (as long as he gets the permission form signed). Colin and Danny were pleased just to run and finish after recent illness was still affecting them both. The evergreen Roger Berry and Jay then completed the team. They were followed by Ray & Ian.

The team just beat the hosts Victoria Park - which was nice! (thanks Jim, money in post).

The final Eastway race ever saw Walthamstow athlete Nick Shasha dominate and win the race. Considering the great individual athletes which Walthamstow has produced over the years, it was nice that the current number one should take the glory on the night.

The conditions were poor with driving cold rain which seemed to effect everyone apart from Nick. Colin ran strongly and was closely followed by Danny and Dey. Mick and Jay again did well to close the 'A' team.

Results were slightly confused and Dave Bamford seemed to disappear, but the team results would not have been any different.

An 'elite' Walthamstow squad appeared for the finale of the Chingford League. On a dry 1.8mile grass course which offered excellent visibility for the whole course, Colin took the challenge of the first leg and managed a magnificent 4th, he was then followed by 'Paula' who showed his Eastway victory was no fluke by storming through to take the lead. Surprisingly enough, a small splash of mud on his left thigh did not send him into shock as he expected it to.

Roger Berry then took over and ran one of the fastest times for a v60 on the day, but dropped to 5th. It was then down to Danny who had no one to aim for, so ran ok to bring the Club home 4th, well ahead of the Chelsea of the League - Victoria Park Harriers.

1st Leg - 4th Colin Read 9.10

2nd Leg - 1st Nick Shasha 8.49

3rd Leg - 5th Roger Berry v60 10.33

4th Leg - 4th Danny Rose v40 9.19