2025 Mob vs Thames Hare & Hounds
For two clubs separated by only a brisk warm-up jog, Ranelagh and Thames Hare & Hounds managed to spend more than thirty years pretending the other didn’t exist. An “unfortunate misunderstanding” in the 1890s - details long lost, but something involving invitations not being sent for a race — put relations on ice until 1927.
Eventually, common sense prevailed and after shaking hands, both clubs laced up for an annual fixture on 2 April; taking turns to play host from thereon in. These races - and the post-race dinners - became an enduring fixture, with much camaraderie, competitive mischief, and robust appetites keeping the friendly rivalry simmering nicely.
Close to 50 years later, both clubs agreed to graduate to a full blown mob match, with the inaugural run taking place on 30 November 1974 on Wimbledon Common - an event that finally sealed the truce, ensured decades of good-natured competition, and proved that nothing heals old wounds quite like the chance to outrun your neighbours.
In this spirit, spikes were dusted, trails laced, vests donned, and mud-scrubbing brushes placed on standby, as we welcomed our friendly neighbours to Richmond Park on 22 November 2025.
18 Saltires turned up, Thames gamely insisting this constituted a mob. Ranelagh’s 44 blue-and-amber response, however, made it abundantly clear that only one club brought a true mob, and it wasn’t the one in white and black.
It would be 15 to score - with the tally standing at 23 Ranelagh wins to Thames’ 27 and the signs were well placed for us to claim number 24.
The weather behaved exactly as befits cross-country demands: cold enough to freeze fingertips, wet enough to soak socks in seconds, with squalls of rain periodically delivered for dramatic effect. The ground was satisfyingly soft underfoot - perfection for runners - but for spectators and officials, a masterclass in miserable endurance.
From the gun, Thames’ Eliot Nevill set a brisk pace, completing his first lap in 21:59. Close behind were our pack of Jonny Smith, Marc Leyshon, Gareth Hopkins, Joe Killip and Ted Mockett; keeping that steady pressure on.
The next score of runners to start Lap 2 included more Saltires than was comfortable, but depth and determination shone across the field. Whatever slender advantage Thames might hold, our numbers meant the battle for supremacy was far from decided.
Eliot cruised to a strong finish but Jonny, Marc, Gareth, Joe & Ted followed not long after, convincingly negating any Thames advantage. Next across the line was Thames’ Neil Chisholm and Daniel Watchorn, giving them much needed points; but our Mark Herbert and Sam Davies promptly shut that down by following after.
Thien came a 3 Saltire charge from Simon Molden, Jamie Bell and Simon Barrett; but an outstanding run from our Cecily Day saved that from being 4; as she pipped Thames Felicity Hayward to the line.
Contributing a frontline point of view is our Men’s Captain, Jonny Smith:
Up the front, Thames' Men’s Captain Eliot Nevill serenely opened up a significant gap to the rest of the pack. Whilst the field closed a little on the second lap, Elliot was barely troubled and coasted through for victory in an impressive time of 44:39.
Further back, a group of five Ranelaghs featured four of the clubs V40 stars all vying for the V40 mob trophy - the Hastings Cup. It's only been held by one person this decade, with Marc Leyshon winning it four times in a row and there being no competition in 2020. Marc and I ran together for most of the first lap, with Gareth Hopkins just behind.
Then, out of nowhere, the late-arriving Ted Mockett (who only made the start after it was delayed for him) suddenly made a casual move up the inside after rounding pen ponds. "That's a bit of game-changer", said Leyshon quietly to me. It was all I could do to grunt back with dissatisfaction.
As we headed up the ferns back towards Sidmouth Wood, I clawed my way back and went for home before the second lap had even started. As Queens Ride came into view, Mockett then suffered an untimely bout of cramp and had to momentarily stop. Leyshon gamely ploughed on but in the end I managed to come home to take the trophy and place 2nd overall, with Leyshon taking the bronze medal.
Hopkins, running his first ever mob, took it steady and finished behind us, just ahead of Joe Killip, who clearly prioritised his morning parkrun over mob glory. Mockett soldiered on for sixth.
Whilst a handful of Thames runners then followed (five of the next seven), Cecily Day pipped THH's Felicity Hayward to first lady and Ranelagh took the next six to put them in a dominant position...
Great strategic running Jonny!
Thereafter our mob unleashed in full force - the final 7 Ranelagh to score were Ed Smith, Ed Forbes, Joshua Charkin, Jarryd Hillhouse, Simon Beal, John Rose and Stephen Hird; all finishing in the top 23; split only by Thames’ Peter Woodburn in 22nd place.
Thames’ next 7 to score were relegated to racking up higher double digits as they were pushed ever downwards by the sheer weight of our mob.
As everyone came across the line, there was no delay in heading back 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, James Riley and Sam Minchella, revealing a resounding win for Ranelagh: 187 to Thames’ 328.
The fastest five ladies were Cecily Day (51:14 | RAN), Felicity Hayward (51:26 | THH), Natalie Haarer (54:30 | RAN), Lucy Urbas (54:34 | RAN) and Claire Altmann (54:42 | THH). The fastest five open were Eliot Nevill (44:39 | THH), Jonny Smith (45:10 | RAN), Marc Leyshon (45:33 | RAN), Gareth Hopkins (46:02 | RAN) and Joe Killip (46:32 | RAN).
Well done to everyone who finished, and especially to our visitors for bringing a ‘mob’ of sorts! However, the biggest THANK YOU must go to our wonderful marshals & volunteers - Andy Bickerstaff, Lloyd Camp, Tony Clark, James Conway, Kevin Kearey, Dave Lawley, Sam Minchella, Clive Naish, James Riley, Alex Ring, Maia Rushby, Simon Taylor, Felix von Schubert, Pete Vox, and Olaf Wasternack - your support and smiles ensured a ‘warm’ and fantastic event for all.
The culmination of the day’s fixture was the post-mob supper, hosted by Ranelagh at the Fox & Duck. Brilliantly organised by our social secretaries, Hadi and Sue, the evening was a perfect end to the day’s events - a delightful mix of warm company, old friends reconnecting, and new acquaintances being made; keeping alive the friendly tradition and camaraderie that have always been at the heart of our mob matches.
Race report by Narissa Vox, Race Director
📽️ & 📸 by Dave Lawley
💛 Results & Fastest Groups (PDF): Ranelagh.THH.Mob2025.RESULTS.pdf
💙 All times (PDF): Ranelagh.THH.Mob2025.TIMES.pdf
