105th Mob vs Blackheath

Report

18 Jan

There are some fixtures that sit at the very heart of our club’s history – not just for the racing, but for the stories, the spirit and the legacy they create. Chief among them are our mob matches against our friendly rivals: Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC, Orion Harriers, South London Harriers and Thames Hare & Hounds.

Of those four, the Blackheath mob is somewhat special – our oldest and most enduring rivalry. Thus it was on balmy 17 January afternoon in Richmond Park, as this iconic fixture reached its 105th running, 45 Ranelagh Harriers gathered to welcome 18 visiting “Heathens”, to write another proud chapter in this tale.

Having won the last two fixtures, it would be easy to think we were on a winning streak – but history keeps us honest. The all-time score reads Ranelagh 32 – 72 Blackheath, a reminder that there was plenty of catching up to do. Which meant every running of this event mattered, and a third straight win would help us continue taking that small but mighty step in our 40-year mission of overtaking Blackheath.

As the runners toed the start line, club cries - led by a duo of former club presidents - filled the air; our diminutive (in stature alone) Mike Peace hobbling our gobbling, and the Heathens’ Mike Peel’s timely hat waving helping to keep track of the innumerable chants of blacks, blacks and blacks.

The field eventually streamed away from the mob match tree.

There was a tiny concern we were a little short of faster members – some had been seduced by the Box Hill Fell Race, while others had prioritised watching the rugby instead. So in a club-vista of ageing demographics, hope fell to our W/V40s & 50s to prove that what we might lack in outright youth, we more than made up for in depth, determination and experience.

Conditions were near perfect for mid‑winter cross‑country spectating; bright and clear sunshine, balmy especially for January. For the runners however, sweatbox conditions.

First to cross and begin Lap 2 was Blackheath’s young Kevin Fini, followed doggedly by our own young Joe Killip; his visage reflecting potential regret at his life-choice to race Box Hill earlier that morning.

Next up was our (not-as-young) Ted Mockett, leading the (younger-than-Ted) Blackheath duo of David Adams and William Reedman-White; Ted’s experience and not having run Box Hill enabling him to keep Joe firmly within his sights.

The next six runners across for their second lap presented a comforting blue and amber swell - Nick Impey, Ed Perry, Peter Haarer, David Ready, Sarah Palmer and Ed Smith. But there was still another whole lap to go so nothing was given, especially as it would be 15 to score.

Eventually all the runners came through to start their second lap.

After a short lull, the spot of winter sunbathing the officials were enjoying was eventually broken by the cry of ‘runner’. Running well to take first place was Blackheath’s Kevin Fini, in a cracking time of 44:42. He was followed less than a minute later by their David Adams in 45:23.

Next, our Ted crossed to take first Ranelagh (and the Wynne Cup) in 45:52, almost a full minute ahead of young Joe (46:51), who fell to his knees at the finish; his Box Hill regret-o-meter most certainly dialed up to 11 and over.

Blackheath 3; Ranelagh 7. Then William Reedman-White (47:29) claimed 5th place, boosting the Blackheath score even further. The next few places would be crucial.

A swell of Ranelagh - Ed Perry (48:33), Peter Haarer (50:06), David Ready (51:14) and Sarah Palmer (51:44) - crashed through; followed by Blackheath’s John Pairman (51:55). Ranelagh newbie Becky Dannatt (52:08) crossed next, leading our Nick Impey (52:36) and Ed Smith (52:41) - providing much needed points.

And so it went; where there was one Heathen, there were at least two, if not three, Ranelaghs close behind; proving that we did indeed have the numbers and the momentum.

As with any mob match, every place mattered, every finish counted – and by the time the final runners crossed the line, there was more in the air than just fervant hope that Ranelagh had carried the day.

Everyone headed back thereafter to the warm clubhouse for a delectable tea put on by our lovely Carol Barnshaw. In a crowded and lively clubhouse, results were crunched by Pete Vox revealing a resounding win for Ranelagh: 187 to Blackheath’s 343.

Well done to everyone who finished, and a huge thank you to our visitors for making the long journey across with more runners than nearby Thames had brought in November!

As always, the biggest thanks to our wonderful marshals & volunteers - Andy Bickerstaff, Anne Childs, Jolyon Coray, Karen Feeney, Dennis Flood, Mark Herbert, Stephen Hird, Andrew Maclauchlan, Jonathan Moore, Mike Morris, Clive Naish, Cordelia Perry, Rachel Revett, Alex Ring, Felix von Schubert, John Tovell and Pete Vox - your support and smiles ensured a successful and fantastic event for all.

With the long road to overtaking Blackheath’s lead feeling just that little bit shorter, the story rolls on. Six mob wins in a row now stand behind us – a blue and amber streak that is beginning to feel like the start of something truly special.

The next chapter is already calling. The gauntlet has been thrown down, and in March we head into the final two mobs of the season, both away: at Farthing Downs against South London Harriers, and in deepest, darkest Epping Forest against Orion Harriers.

Both clubs will come hard, hungry and loud – and we will be ready.

History is watching. Roll on the next mob.

Race report by Narissa Vox, Race Director
📽️ & 📸 by Mike Morris and Felix von Schubert

💛 Results & Fastest Groups (PDF): Ranelagh.BBH.Mob2026.RESULTS.pdf
💙 All times (PDF): Ranelagh.BBH.Mob2026.TIMES.pdf