Team Camden dominated the Inter-Borough Junior Road Race Challenge on the Finsbury Park track
ATHLETES from Team Camden dominated the Finsbury Park track, and the energy-sapping kilometres surrounding it, on Sunday as they won the Inter-Borough Junior Road Race Challenge.
Hosted once again by London Heathside Running and Athletics Club, around 180 youngsters from across the capital took part in the competition, which acted as trials for next month’s TCS Mini London Marathon.
The hottest day of the year so far got underway with a series of fun races for Under-7s, who took on a 500m run, while Under-9s and Under-11s covered 1.2km.
Marco Baudou and Joshua Earl beat the heat to claim first and second place in their Under-7s race
Camden enjoyed early success with children from Torriano Primary School in Kentish Town clocking some impressive times, including Marco Baudou and Joshua Earl who finished first and second respectively in the boys’ Under-7s race.
Marco sprinted to the finish line in one minute, 51 seconds, while Joshua recorded 2:06.
Athletes who ran for Islington included Isaac Silverstone, Lettice Gundry, Amba Coleman and Phoebe Music, with team helper Brayden Steenhoff
Then came the main event, with boys’ and girls’ teams competing in three key age groups – Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-17s – over 3,000m. That’s when Camden shone even brighter, striking gold in five of the six races, along with capturing an additional silver and bronze medal.
Alex Pettican won the boys’ Under-13s race in 10:46, finishing 50 seconds ahead of Islington’s Alex Rankin (11:36) in second. After collecting his gold medal, the speedy 13-year-old said: “I think that I could have gone even faster but I also ran for Middlesex yesterday.”
Youngsters from Torriano Primary School, pictured with their PE teacher Carmen Blanco, were among those to take part in the fun day of racing
Having raced to victory in the London Youth Games’ Cross-Country competition back in November, Arjuna Pflug was back on top of the medal podium after finishing first in the boys’ Under-15s race with a time of 10:04.
Team Camden also celebrated a top-two finish in the boys’ Under-17s race, with Harris Austin hitting home first in 9:52, closely followed by Joseph Drinkel (10:06).
Alex Pettican leads the way in the Under-13s boys’ race. Below: Alex with his medal
In the girls’ races, Leoni Delvendahl won the Under-17s age group in 10:58, while Chloe de Lagarde raced to victory in the Under-15s competition in 12:16. Ira Agrawal also added to the borough’s medal count in the Under-13s race, finishing third in 12:55 to earn bronze.
Islington’s Alex Rankin claimed second place
Team manager Ben Dorsett, who works for Camden Council’s Sport and Physical Activity Service, said: “This was our biggest turnout for the Inter-Borough Challenge ever, with 53 young athletes taking part in the mini-marathon trials, and over 70 young people representing the borough on the day.
“It was a fantastic day, and we’re all very proud to have recaptured our crown!”
