A club’s cross-country teams have claimed three gold medals and a silver at a major county relay event.
Havering Athletic Club delivered a winning start to the winter season at the Essex Cross Country Relays in Chingford on Saturday, September 19, with strong performances across multiple age groups.
The under-16 boys’ team of Jack Rossington, Callum Millard Jennings, and Freddie Scorey-Hall finished more than 30 seconds ahead of their closest rivals to secure gold.
The under-18 boys’ team of Aidan Doherty, Oliver Rushworth, and Jake Tregidgo took silver after a close contest, narrowly beating Basildon into third place.
In the senior women’s race, Kate O’Neill, Robyn Matson, and Lydia Smith secured gold after taking silver last year.
Ms O’Neill set the fastest female leg of the day with a time of 22 minutes and 7 seconds, giving her team a lead of nearly two minutes. Ms Matson extended the advantage with her 25:24 run, and Ms Smith completed the victory with a time of 25:44.
The senior men’s team, who had not reached the podium in the previous two years, also claimed gold.
Matthew Blacklock started with a 20:58 leg to put the team in second place, followed by Kieran O’Hara, who moved them into first.
James Stewart ran the fastest leg for the team in 20:30, and Chander Dhillon anchored them to victory, finishing more than 40 seconds ahead of Chelmsford.
Elsewhere, five Havering athletes represented Essex Schools at the English Schools Combined Events Championships in Bedford, delivering strong individual performances.
Amy Mansell finished 13th in the senior girls' heptathlon, achieving personal bests in the 100m hurdles and shot put.
Oma Nwapa placed 16th in the same event, while her sister Ome finished 18th in the intermediate girls' heptathlon, setting a new personal best in the javelin.
Abigail Adegite achieved the highest placing among the group, finishing 11th in the junior girls' pentathlon.
She set personal bests in the hurdles and shot put and matched her 800m best.
Josh Buxton placed 20th in the intermediate octathlon, recording personal bests in the 400m and shot put.
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