Reigate, roots & refuelling: Bandits shine at Surrey League Round 1
Roots, bakes & Operation Promotion! Check out our Round 1 Reigate XC recap by Alice Heath & Trevor Ingram, and sign up for the next fixture!
The return of cross country and the Surrey League
After months of road racing, summer sunshine, and suspiciously clean running shoes, the glorious madness of cross country returned on Saturday 10th October at Reigate Priory. Round 1 of the Surrey League brought blue skies, surprisingly firm ground, and a distinct lack of the traditional mud-soaked misery we’ve come to expect.
This fixture roundup combines reportage from across the club, with the women's race written by Alice Heath and the men's race captured by Trevor Ingram.
Adding to the excitement was the grand debut of the brand-new Fulham Running Club gazebo! It provided the perfect focal point for the squad to gather, drop bags, and take the all-important pre-race team photo before heading over to the starting line.
Women’s Race: Sunshine, hills and homemade bakes
FRC women's team FRC women's team on the start line FRC women's team
The women kicked off proceedings on a course consisting of one small lap followed by a larger loop. This meant tackling the sharp opening incline twice—because once was clearly not enough! The undulating profile kept legs working hard throughout, balancing tough climbs with beautiful, dry woodland trails.
Fulham turned out in force with 16 women proudly wearing the stripes, buoyed on by early-arriving men's squad members and official club photographer Sophie Denman capturing the action.
Leading the field home with an outstanding run was Sophie McKeeman, who stormed across the line in a brilliant 6th place, followed closely by Clare Cummings in 13th to secure two top-15 finishes for the club.
The team packing remained exceptionally strong throughout the field:
Megan Bethell and Sarah Bergin packed closely together, separated by mere seconds.
Harri Spelman and Antonia Welch kept the momentum going, closely followed by Laura Richards and Blanca Bartolome.
Rhonna Spindley and Lizzie Connaughton engaged in an exhilarating sprint finish, with Sarah Hill, Boram Oh, and Sarah Jackson keeping the Fulham flow moving through the finish funnel.
Completing a fantastic team effort were Louise Garlick, Alice Heath, and Emilyn Hutchinson.
Post-race celebrations were topped off with a feast of homemade bakes, including flapjacks from Rhonna, banana bread from Louise, and millionaire's shortbread from Alice—the ultimate reward after tackling the Reigate hills!
Men’s Race: Roots, routes & operation promotion
FRC men's team FRC men's team on the startline FRC men's team on the move
At 2:00 pm, the Division 3 men took to the 8.3km course with a clear mission: launch Operation Promotion and climb back into Division 2.
The initial uphill start sent heart rates straight into the stratosphere before yielding to fast, winding woodland trails. While dry underfoot, the course featured enough exposed tree roots to keep everyone on high alert in a fast and furious afternoon of woodland racing.
Will Thompson delivered a hero’s performance at the front, storming around the course to claim an outstanding 2nd place in Division 3—just three seconds behind the winner. Nick Thomas produced a magnificent run to take 5th, while Dylan Williams completed a formidable front three in 9th place, giving Fulham three runners in the top ten.
The depth of the squad showed across every pack:
Callum Mason and Marcus Forsman crossed back-to-back in a display of Fulham teamwork, followed closely by Zach Love, Denny Giuggioloni, Pavel Linshits, and Daniel Blower.
Warm welcomes go to George Dobbie and James Kelly, who both made fantastic Fulham XC debuts in the black-and-white hoops.
The fighting spirit continued right through the field with strong runs from Trevor Ingram, Hal Munton, Nick Bell, Hubert Brandts, and Richard Morris.
Further down the course, Charlie Craven kept the flag flying, while Michael Dennis and Edward Bruce delivered synchronised Bandit brilliance to finish side-by-side.
Provisional results place the Fulham men in 2nd place in Division 3, establishing a brilliant foundation for the promotion campaign ahead.
One team, one spirit
Cross country is ultimately a team sport, and Reigate showcased the very best of the FRC community spirit. From the women staying to cheer on the men, to the early supporters shouting encouragement on the climbs, every runner and supporter made a difference.
The sunshine made Round 1 an unusually civilised affair, but don’t get too comfortable—winter is coming, the mud is waiting, and the Bandits are only getting started!
Join us for the next fixture!
Cross country is open to all members, regardless of pace or experience. Whether you want to chase points, test your trail legs, or simply enjoy the post-race cake and camaraderie, we’d love to have you in the squad.
Keep an eye on the club channels and sign up on the fixture board for Round 2! Let's get even more black-and-white hoops on the start line. 🏃♀️🏃♂️⚫⚪
Thank you to the wonderful Sophie Denman for her photography skills!
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