Younger running talent drives Bradfield’s continued rise in Open category
OB runners secured third place in the Over 60s category of the annual cross country alumni race for independent schools, which returned to full competition in December 2021 after a year’s break due to the pandemic. The five-mile race, run over Wimbledon Common since the early 1950s, is hosted by Thames Hare and Hounds.
It was the third consecutive podium placing for the OBs following successive third place finishes in the Over 50s age group in the previous two years of full competition. The team’s most recent performance also saw it notch up one place to 15th in the overall Open event, out of 37 alumni teams from independent schools across the UK.
It was a memorable afternoon for the OB team, another strong performance overall and glory for the Over 60s.
Tony Henderson, Secretary, OB Running Club
Bradfield’s placing was driven by excellent performances from OB runners Jamie Dellimore (A 10-15), the first OB home in 23rd position out of 222 runners with a lightning quick time of 30:52 and Adam Robinson (G 11-15), 37th in 32:48. Both Jamie and Adam were first time runners in the event.
The younger OBs were some way ahead of the rest of the team, who all ran strongly in their respective age categories and packed well to boost Bradfield’s overall performance.
We can look forward to the addition of further young talent to the side in coming years, inspired by Jamie and Adam’s exceptional performances.
Tony Henderson, Secretary, OB Running Club
Third OB home was Ian Kenyon (F 75-79), 124th with a time of 39:36 closely followed by Ed Talbot (E 80-85) 138th on 40:24. Jon Salmon (B 73-78) was 149th on 40:57 and Tony Henderson (E 79-84) 178th in a time of 44:12.
Ian and Jon’s performance secured third place in the Over 60s behind first placed Eton College and second placed Winchester College, out of 15 teams in the category. In the Over 50s, Bradfield was fourth out of 24 teams and eleventh overall out of the 37 teams in the age-graded competition.
Tony Henderson, secretary of the OB Running Club, said: “It was a memorable afternoon for the OB team after not meeting last year and another strong performance overall, particularly strengthened by standout runs by Jamie and Adam, and glory for the Over 60s. Hopefully we can look forward to the addition of further young talent to the side in coming years, inspired by Jamie and Adam’s exceptional performances.”
Thank you to Tony Henderson who has recently stepped down as Secretary of the OB Running Club. The contact for future events is now Adam Robinson. OBs wanting to find out more about OB running events can contact Adam on adamrobinson199@hotmail.com
