Surrey Men's Cross Country League Match 4

Surrey Men's Cross Country League Match 4

Temperatures plummet but the G's stay up.

A freezing day in West End Park saw Guildford and Godalming brave alpine conditions to try and ensure second division status for another season.

Going into the last race of the season the Spectrum-based club were sat in the bottom three of the league, with Dulwich and Full-On-Tri breathing frostily onto their necks. Only the warmth of a full team of emerald-vested bodies would save them from the cadaverous realms of division three but as is their way, tough times brought out some of Guildford’s strongest performances of the season.

Ben Evans (27.49) and Tom Griffiths (27.57) lead the team home in 16th and 18th respectively, fighting all the way with a rivalry that looks to continue in future races. Seasoned pro Mark Tennyson came next shrugging off the freezing temperatures to cross the line 50th in 30.17, followed closely by talented youngster Tom Butcher just 12 seconds behind in 30.29. Team captain Marc Woodall came next in 30.36 for 56th, bruised and battered after a fall on one of the steep icy descents. Then came Gavin Magaw in 30.46 for 60th, track speedster Rob Myring in 32.26 for 83rd and James Adam with another quality performance for 86th in 32.30. On a day when all points were vital the strength in depth was put to the test, but when Matt King leapt through in 93rd in 32.51, Nick Green and Alistair Gibson powered home in 34.10 and 34.28 for 110th and 111th and Andy Baker in 35.08 for 117th, survival for the year was all but assured. A team finish of 7th on the day left them one place above and 22 points above the relegation zone.

'It was like seeing Santa Claus late for Christmas,' thought team captain Woodall as Rob Breen slid through in 124th for 36.12. 'Perhaps we should run in the snow every week.'

At this rate the Guildford sleigh should be flying back to the top tier next season.