Glorious sunshine, 54 runners and an inflatable dinosaur made for a memorable Halloween edition of the Page Cup on Saturday 31 October. The weather hadn’t quite understood the brief, offering a little more warmth than late October usually allows. Lovely for volunteers; perhaps less so for anyone running five miles inside a prehistoric reptile.
With medals on offer as a Halloween extra for the three best-dressed runners, there was plenty of reason to raid the dressing-up box. And who doesn’t love a bit of competition, especially when there’s bling involved?
Among the assembled company were Andy Starr as a scary pumpkin, Maia Rushby resplendent in a feathered cape and witch’s hat, and Bruce McLaren offering a glimpse of his possibly misspent youth in a punk-rock wig. There was a cape, a tutu, a cat, a white rabbit and, just to keep everyone on their toes, there was also the spectre of Death.
John Ricketts, meanwhile, came dressed as an athlete. A bold departure, John, but somehow he carried it off.
Our volunteers embraced the occasion too. Sally Minchella deserves special recognition for committing to full green face paint as Elphaba from Wicked, while Pete Vox and Andy Bickerstaff essentially wore their usual goth attire and rather (un)imaginatively called themselves the Vampire Sisters of Mercy. The race directing meanwhile, was left in the safe fins of a shark. Thankfully no incidents of biting were reported.
It was quite a gathering for a trophy that has been bringing clubmates together since January 1884, when W.C. Page, landlord of Putney’s Fox and Hounds, donated a silver cup for the club’s five-mile handicap. Whether this was generosity or a shrewd investment in thirsty runners, our predecessors embraced the arrangement, following their exertions with “teas and smoking concerts”.
Sadly, the original cup was stolen in 1976, but insurance funded a replacement engraved with all the previous winners’ names. It’s that cup we still race for today, although Mr Page probably hadn’t envisaged the dinosaur.
Beneath the costumes, though, there was racing to be done, with familiar faces and newcomers taking their turn at the start of the five-mile course. In all the Halloween excitement, a few went early and a few went late, but eventually everyone got away, one way or another.
Although Chris Hunton’s afternoon took a little longer to get going. Delayed by an unfortunate puncture, he arrived but then hung around waiting for heaven knows what, before handicapping himself further by starting alongside James Riley. Perhaps he’d come dressed as a man with all the time in the world?
Once the final pair, Scott Jowett and Marc Leyshon, had set off from scratch, the officials settled down in the bright sunshine to ponder who would make it back first. They didn’t have too long to wait before young Liam Esguevilllas appeared around the turn, making his handicap debut at just 15.
Storming across the line in 29:58, he offered a compelling demonstration of what young legs can do before they’ve discovered the pleasures of arthritis and aching joints. A terrific run, although, as a guest, he would have to wait for a future opportunity to claim the silverware.
Just over a minute later came new member Renzo Procacini, having completed the course in an excellent 35:23. A very warm welcome to Ranelagh, Renzo. Unfortunately, you’ve now introduced yourself, and your fine form, rather thoroughly to the handicapper as well. Good luck in the next handicap.
With two runners home, both guests, the Page Cup was still waiting for its winner. Less than a minute later, Tamsin Burland appeared, running strongly and making determined progress towards the manhole. Could this be her afternoon?
The encouragement rose as she drew closer, but behind her another runner came into view. Marc Leyshon, closing fast. Very fast. There may have been plenty of pretend horror on the course, but the prospect of Marc bearing down on Tamsin’s lead in the final metres was quite real.
Tamsin, unaware of the pursuit, kept pushing towards the finish. Those watching were beginning to wonder whether the course had just a few metres too many. Marc was gaining with every stride. Surely he couldn’t quite…?
He couldn’t. Tamsin held on to win the Page Cup by one second, holding firm to her handicap despite Marc’s blistering 28:29. A splendid finish, a very well-deserved victory and quite enough suspense for those of us who were only standing still. Many congratulations, Tamsin, and very well chased, Marc.
Chris Owens (44:31) followed just 17 seconds later to complete the handicap podium, with Brooke Thomas Still another second behind him. From there, runners arrived thick and fast, giving the recording team little opportunity to admire the costumes and suggesting that handicapper Neil Rae’s calculations had worked rather nicely.
There was much to celebrate throughout the field, including a brilliant effort from Isla Shaw, who took on the course dressed as a Squid Game contestant. A special cheer for Isla, who ran so well while fully embracing the occasion.
Congratulations, too, to our fastest three women: Maria Jovani (36:17), Edel McKeever (36:22) and Natalie Sacre (37:17). Our fastest three in the open category were Marc Leyshon (28:29), Liam Esguevilllas (29:58) and Scott Jowett (30:27). Great running, all.
Once the racing honours had been settled, there was the equally serious business of recognising our best-dressed runners. With so many making an effort, there was plenty for the judges to consider.
Gold went to Felix von Schubert (45:52), whose inflatable dinosaur was impressive enough standing still, let alone negotiating five miles and the course’s brambles. It did become a little deflated on the return, though whether that was down to the vegetation or the inevitable fate of men of a certain age, we couldn’t say.
Silver went to Dominic Marchant (36:33), whose Death/Scream costume came into its own when he started alongside Mike Thomas (35:00). The sight of Mike being chased by Death provided considerable entertainment - it certainly spurred Mike on to run a bit faster. We’re glad to report that Thommo comfortably out-ran Death. This time.
Bronze went to Brooke Thomas Still, making her first handicap and club appearance as the White Rabbit. Sixth across the line in a speedy 38:42, she clearly had no intention of being late. A lovely way to begin your Ranelagh racing, Brooke. We hope there are many more afternoons like this to come.
With everyone home, tea and a catch-up back at the clubhouse gave us a chance to relive the racing and enjoy some time together. A particularly warm thank you goes to Carol Barnshaw, who will be hanging up her apron as Catering Manager after the South London Harriers mob match on 5 December, following 20 years of supporting our fixtures.
Carol’s hospitality has helped make these afternoons welcoming for generations of Ranelaghs, giving hungry runners every reason to stay, talk and get to know one another. Thank you, Carol. We’re enormously grateful for everything you’ve done, and we shall miss you immensely.
Our thanks also go to all our volunteers - Sally Bamford, Andy Bickerstaff, Deborah Blakemore, Sam Davies, Alberto Esguevilllas, Ed Forbes, Mark Herbert, Sally Minchella, Sam Minchella, Mike Morris, Clive Naish, Joe Plant, Katrina Roche, Graham Weller and Pete Vox. Your generosity makes room for all of it: the racing, the newcomers finding their feet and the occasional dinosaur finding its way through the brambles.
An old cup, a new winner and a finish decided by a single second. Add sunshine, tea and clubmates embracing the occasion, and it made for a very happy Halloween at Ranelagh.
Rah Rah Rah Ranelagh 💙💛
Race report by Narissa Vox, Race Director/Official
📸 Sally Bamford and Narissa Vox
💙 Finishing Order: Ranelagh.PageCup2026.FinishingOrder.pdf
💛 Speed Order: Ranelagh.PageCup2026.SpeedOrder.pdf
💙 Fastest 3: Ranelagh.PageCup2026.Fastest3s.pdf
💛 Results on MyRanelagh >
