SURREY VETS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Petersham, Richmond
DARRYL McDONALD, 44, had a convincing win in his first veteran race at Richmond in fairly mild autume weather reports Alastair Aitken
 " I was in denial regarding veterans athletics until today when I decided to run. I tested the field early on because I knew Jason Simpson, the good South London Harrier was not entered and the race worked out well"
    McDonald had a 70 metre lead at half way with Vic Maughn and Chris Phelan running together in second position. Maughn was then starting to really feel a calf injury getting worse and had to drop out at the thee quarters stage leaving Phelan, who incidentally has run a PB for 5k/half marathon and Marathon (2:39:12 in Berlin) at the age of 48!. With 300 yards remaining Jonathan Dobson, who  ran   2.50.50 in Berlin moved into third place. Ranalagh's.Howard Cleeave did well as an M50 to come sixth of the 93 finsihers.
     Ranelagh's American, McDonald, who came over from San Francisco to England in 1997 said afterwards " I am in advertising on the creative side, which is the worse job you can do as a runner. It is like a doctor as you are on call. Not just thinking between 9.30 and 5.30 but sometimes writing ideas down at midnight.' However despite that McDonald did run a 2.39 marathon half a dozen years ago.
    Two who impressed were Steve Badgery an ex-2.15 marathon man, who looks back as having the Under 16 Surrey title for the mile of 4.28.4. That record will not go as the event is not contested any longer! He has not lost any of his enthusiasm for running and won the M60 title at 61 and the other name, that should be mentioned, is that remarkable retired Major General Spacie of Thames Hare & Hounds, the British Masters M70 Champion a couple of years ago. He won the M70 Surrey title by six minutes this time at Petersham.
    CAROL EVANS, who has run 9 of the last 10 Surrey vets cross-countries and, now at 45, won a well contested women's race. At half way Estle Viljoen and Ruth Hutton led with Carol Evans a few paces behind them. It was shortly after that Carol Evans (45) was joined by Clare Graham at the front. Graham took over the pace but Evans, with her great experience of the course went ahead again, after passing the ponds and kept clear till the finish. Below - Darryl McDonald of Ranelagh Harriers.