Halifax Bank of Scotland runners had just heard about their disastrous situation with the news that became well documented in the National newspapers but still came away with a clear points victory in the Insurance & Financial Services 10k Championships at Battersea Park on the 17th of September. Their three scores all finished in the first six home.They were all Ex-Oxford University Running Blues of the 1980's-9'0's. Reports Alastair Aitken
    In the race in mild conditions, eight runners disputed the lead early on for the first 2760m lap till, Winchesters' Mathew King (29), 2nd last year and first veteran Chris Cook went clear. As they went out onto the Embankment King forged ahead and although Cook was never completely out of contention, King led through the 2nd lap of 4380m and for the final lap of 2760m.
    49 year old, Woodford Green runner, Richard Holland, who had been in the frame half a dozen times in the Insurance Championships came home in fourth place. It was interesting to see Ilford's Andy Catton, as the first 55 year old in 29lth place out of the record field of 116. His time was 39.22. Catton retired from running  when he was 45 with a ruptured Achilles tendon. After a couple of years, he came back to running again. His record in the late 1970's and early '90's was awe inspiring- 3k/5k/10k track 8.01/13.45/28.50 and he also ran 47.30 on the road..
    Rona Loubser (28) was the first woman home in 37.11, not far away from her personal best of 36.45. Loubser was winning the women's section for the third year running.
First Six:- 1 Mathew King (Vic King Insurance) 33.02; 2 Chris Cook (HBOS) 33.24; 3 Chris Daniels (HBOS) 34.11; 4 Richard Holland (Accident Health Und, M45) 34.56; 5 Simon James (Barclays Capital) 35.28; 6 Alllen Jones (HBOS, M40)
35:30.  First 6 Women 1 Rona Loubser (Swiss Re) 37.11; 2 Lucinda Potten RSA Group (24:31); 3 Louise Walker (Barclays Capital); 4 Cesare Walker (Temple Bar) 45.34; 5 Susan Cooper (Royal Bank of Canada) 45.52 6 Mary Walsh (Sutton Winson) 46.19.