North London Championships (December 2016)
And Fraternity & Sorority Cups 26th of November 2016
Trent Park, Cockfosters
ROB THOMPSON (born 14/1/91), a British Telecom engineer, won his first ever cross-country in style at Trent Park.
The last time I talked to the Hillingdon AC runner was when he had won the Hillingdon Half Marathon in 70:42 in March 2014
Regarding cross country he said “My previous best placing was coming 2nd in the Middlesex Championships in 2013’
He added ‘Since I ran 14:37 for 5000 on the track in 2014, I have had injuries till, I was clear of injuries only recently and then, able to train 65 miles a week for the last six weeks.”
He added “It is really shocking to recover in between sessions!
I train usually in the evening. I like to run at 6 0’clock in the morning as well
The thing is I have to drive everywhere which interrupts the training, which is a little bit annoying. I ran quite well last week in the London Championships coming sixteenth. Nothing special but with the current state of fitness I was pleased with it. I came through strongly in the lat lap. I have never been particularly good at Parliament Hill as, it is so relentless I like courses like this at Trent Park which is undulating but not too severe”
In the race as the runners set off Oliver Greenstein was briefly ahead of junior, Tom Butler and, Alexander Lepretre with the taller Thompson just behind them.
After the first lap was covered Thompson put in a burst and was followed by Tom Butler and, Lepretre. Thompson then built up a commanding lead but Tom Butler was making inroads in the last half mile but, unable to get on terms with Thompson.
Hugh Torry came through for third but, it was the fourth runner Fergal Smithwick who brought Highgate Harriers home to take the Fraternity team prize and the North London Championships; the latter they first won in 1908 and the last time in 2009.
This years team were .4 Fergal Smithwick; 6 Daryl Davison; 12 Nick Gold (Vet); 17 Jack Matthewman; 37 Andrew Collins; 41 Alex Davidson (Vet 50).
Alex Gounelas (W35), a shop retail manager, led all the way for the Sorority Cup and to win the North London for the third time and, in second place was Jo Kent who was first W45 in the London at Parliament Hill the previous Saturday. Back in 2013 Jo Kent was also 2nd in the North London behind Alex ran for Eton Manor that won the women’s race this year.
Thomas Butler of Barnet AC the promoting club at Trent park
“I thought Rob might slow down but he did not. At the start I thought I would tuck in behind Oliver Greenstein, as I try not to go off hard.’
‘Things are going quite good I am training well. That is the main thing to get fit for the 1500 that is the main aim. I did 4 dead’ but I did not have a great summer.
I was injured for the starts.’
About his Father Tim Butler who was 7th in the AAA’s 3000 in 1989 in 8:17.8
“He did 63 minutes for the half marathon. He did 29:07 for 10,000.”
Where is his son Tom training now?
“I am training at St Mary’s but I still have got my coach Ty Holden.
As you are 18 you could do well as junior; you picked up money in the juniors in the Met League last year?
“There are some better guys who have decided to do it this year. It is a good thing.
Competition is good, wherever you can get it. It is good to see younger people out staying in the sport. A lot of them drop out.’
‘To-day I realised with half a mile to go I was not going to catch Rob Thompson. but I gave everything, as you never know what can happen. Any race you do I think you are cheating yourself if you don’t give your best.”