Written by DB   

We had 15 runners for the opening Division 2 race on the Common,but,sadly, the bulk of the team were too far down the field to mount any sort of challenge for the top team places.

Although Matt Hyett continues to make progress,and Michael Huntley,on a surprise return,and Aljosa Isakovic represent "young blood",there is still far too much reliance on the stalwarts,many of whom,with respect,may well have seen better days.

Full results can be found via both the Athletics Data & Surrey County sites.

Mark Reed led home the K&P contingent,for the umpteenth time,and we were very glad that he was able to fit in this match with his international schedule - he ran in 11th(26.05) on what was a very warm day and a very short 5 miles(hurrah,say I). Closely following,as always,were V35Andy Arbour(15th 26.30) and Mike Maranzano(21st 26.50),with Matt Hyett closing on all three with his best League run in 34th(27.30). Ant Budarkiewicz(V45) and very welcome returnee,Michael Huntley,were next in 55th&56th(28.51/28.56) but the now-familiar chasm ensued until newcomer Peter De Verneuil Smith(100th 30.46) led in U20 Aljosa Isakovic(105th 31.05),evergreen 64yo TM Bob McDonough(112th 31.35) & Peter Wilkins(116th 31.58) to complete our scoring Ten.

Sadly,Ben Green,next in at 129th,was forced to hobble for most of the race,and even more sadly,a subsequent visit to A&E revealed a broken bone in his ankle,which will sideline him for at least a couple of months.Thereafter,it was Vets-Time - Graham Huntley,fresh from shark-infested Florida(136th 35.05),and then a trio of 'bushy-tails' - Dave Gibbons(143rd 38.29),David Barrington(144th 38.38) & Geoff Reed(145th 38.53). And,yes,there were a handful behind us.

Teamwise,K&P were 7th of the 9 teams with 528pts - and too close for comfort to the dropzone.Walton excelled,winning with 299pts from G&G 310,E&E 370,Windmilers 456,Striders 493,Elmbridge 495,then K&P 528 ahead of Dulwich 529 and Woking 615. It's quite close and far from a foregone conclusion BUT with Mark Reed and Ben Green unavailable for November 8th at West End Common,it's all in our own hands.

There were no K&P takers for the YA race - and race winner was Will Clark of E&E,who graced us as an HCA in the BAL last summer.