Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow Athletic Club

Saturday’s Apex Sports Chiltern Cross Country League match at Wing, Beds, on Saturday marked the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the League way back in 1959. All competitors in Saturday’s event received a commemorative medal to mark the occasion.

As Windsor & Eton AC, the local club were founder members of the League and just two athletes who competed in 1959 toed the line for Saturday’s match. One of these was Bob Graham from the local club and Rob Bush, now running for Harrow AC but back in 1959 representing Ruislip & Northwood AC (now Hillingdon AC)

In the November match in 1959, Windsor & Eton were prominent in both the Senior Mens Race and also the combined Youths/Boys Race. Stan Eldon, awarded an MBE in this years New Years Honours List, won the Senior Mens Race leading home the local club. He was already an international star, having previously been the European Cross Country Champion, later going on to track glory by setting new UK records at 3 miles and 6 miles. On his heels in the Chiltern match were other W&E names that would also make their mark. Don Collins was in 2nd place, with Dave Bignell, who gained Junior Cross Country International honours, in 4th. Elder statesman of the team was Henry Birdseye, who had made his reputation as a prominent member of the, by then, defunct Slough AC, and he finished in 5th place. 9th was the young Bob Graham, still competing half a century later, and the team scoring was completed by Mike Comber in 15th place. Despite these excellent results, the local club were just pipped for first place in the team event by Vale of Aylesbury AC.

In the combined Youths/Boys Race W & E athletes were again to the fore. In 6th place was ‘Chalky’ White, with Ron Smith in 7th, Vic Gutteridge in 9th, ? Hoad in 15th place and Brian Day 16th. The team once again had to settle for 2nd place behind Vale of Aylesbury AC.

Saturday’s anniversary race at Wing, and in particular the WSEH team, suffered from a clash of fixtures with the out of kilter Surrey Cross Country Championships being held the same day instead on next weekend, the favoured date for most Counties. The freezing weather also acted as a deterrent and made conditions difficult underfoot.

Senior Mens Race:
The Senior Mens Race saw just 4 WSEH finishers, with the high spot being the 5th place by Alex Tovey, still in the Under 20 age group, and his best placing to date in the series. The rest of the WSEH runners were all veterans, with Ken Saunders in 118th place, the ever present Bob Graham in 151st place and stalwart Wal Wessely in 153rd spot.

Senior Ladies Race:
The Senior Ladies were similarly down on numbers, with Charlotte Firth proving the best of the quartet in 18th place. Yolanda Edwards in 28th, Lucy Roe in 38th and vet Ruth Lingley in 55th completed the WSEH team.

Under 17 Mens Race:
WSEH fielded just one athlete in the Under 17 Mens race with Jack Philp finishing 11th, his best placing to date.

Under 20/17 Ladies Race
It was the Under 20/17 Ladies team that produced the best team result of the day. Bex Myers in 4th, Louise Lingley in 5th and Faith Louise Smith in 10th taking top honours.

Under 15 Boys Race:
It was a similar story in the Under 15 Boys event where James Porter ploughed a lone furrow for 38th place.

Under 15 Girls Race
Maryse Haynes was the best of the Under 15 Girls on display, finishing in 5th place. The team was completed by Sophie Reynolds in 17th, Emma Croft in 24th and Verity Kyley in 38th. Rose Adams (39th) and Lauren Mills (43rd) were the other WSEH finishers.

Under 13 Boys Race:
There were just two local athletes in the Under 13 Girls Race, with Ellie Wallis 10th and Emily Hancock in 38th spot.

Under 13 Girls Race:
There was an improved turn out in the Under 13 Boys race where Kieran Wye contested the honours, eventually finishing in 3rd place. He was well supported by Will Brennan who was 11th, and Harry Reynolds in 20th.

Under 11 Boys Race:
Jake Adams was the lone WSEH runner in the Under 11 Boys race finishing in 25th place

Under 11 Girls Race:
There was a complete team however in the Under 11 Girls race, with Kathryn Ditton leading the way with her excellent 2nd place. Jamie.Marshall (17th) A.Croft (32nd) and Sophia Lingley(38th) were the other WSEH finishers.