The Veterans Athletic Club Cross Country Championships took place on a chilly, overcast day at Wimbledon Common on 18.01.2025, attracting 73 athletes eager to test their endurance on the challenging two-lap course. Despite the cold conditions, the event was dry, with only a hint of mud underfoot.
Among the standout performers was Lynn Wilson, an athlete and coach, who took first place in the W65 age category with a time of 34:51. The victory earned her a gold medal and a well-deserved trophy. This race marked Lynn’s first cross-country outing of the season, after a calf strain had hindered her training. Nonetheless, her performance demonstrated both resilience and determination.
Reflecting on the day, Lynn shared her thoughts: “The weather had been in our favour, although I do enjoy a muddy and wet cross country, conditions underfoot were dry with a little mud in some places.” Opting for her trail shoes over the usual cross-country spikes, Lynn approached the race with a relaxed mindset, viewing it as an opportunity to gauge her fitness after her injury.
Lynn began the race cautiously, running alongside a mixed field of veteran athletes. After overtaking a few runners, she found herself alone in the middle of the race, with some competitors well ahead. However, Lynn remained focused, determined to close the gap and challenge those in front of her. Her strategy paid off, and she secured the top spot in her category.
Her victory did not go unnoticed by fellow athletes. Martin Daoud, a regular at the front of the pack, was full of praise for Lynn’s performance: “Lynn is an amazing coach and runner. She’s always encouraging others and brings out the best in her fellow runners.”
Lynn’s triumph was part of a successful day for her clubmates. Rich Berry finished 2nd overall and claimed first place in the MV50 age group, while Rachel Berry secured 2nd place in the WV50 category. Martin Daoud, despite a tough week of high mileage training, came in 4th in the highly competitive MV60 age group, narrowly missing out on a medal.
Lynn’s victory not only highlights her impressive individual performance but also reflects the strong success of the Veterans Athletic Club.
