South of the Thames 12km Championship – Wimbledon Common – Saturday 20th December 2025. Words: Mark Tennyson, Photos: Julian Wallond
A record turnout of twenty-eight of Guildford’s men raced in the winter sunshine at a slightly over-distance 12km on Wimbledon Common on Saturday – finishing in third place in both the 6-to-score and 12-to-score team competitions. Club stalwarts Tom Foster and John Sanderson led the way with brilliant 6th & 8th place finishes respectively. They were closely followed by Robin Wallond (15th), Will Ford (28th), Rowan Hermes (48th) and Jacob Plummer (56th) to secure bronze medals behind strong Tonbridge and Belgrave teams.
The first 6-man-team Tonbridge were awarded the incredible ‘Sir Thomas Dewar Challenge Shield’, a trophy dating back to 1905. The Championship race itself dates back to 1888 and the names of the previous seventeen winners were retrospectively added to the shield.
Guildford & Godalming – who were formed in 1924 – have yet to add their name to this impressive trophy. They had to wait until 2001 at Roehampton to make the podium places. They were the bronze medallists and Paul Sanderson (John’s father) was a part of their 6-man-team. Twenty one years later the G’s went one better by claiming silver medals at Wellesley, Aldershot. John Sanderson (5th) led the team home with Tom Foster (14th) next in.
So, on this evidence it seems a ‘Sanderson’ is required for the G’s to be in with a better prospect of a medal!
There is also a ‘Sir Jeremiah Colman’ Cup for the first 12-man team and this trophy has been awarded since 1926.
Tonbridge and host club Belgrave Harriers also led the 12-to-score competition; with G&G third. Nick Tearle, Luke Bishop, Charlie Pickett, Ian Acreman, James Adams and Kit Hawtin were the six who completed the G’s team of 12.
One place further back Mark Tennyson (m60-1) claimed the G’s only individual award winning the M60 category. This was Mark’s third successive win in this age category, after a win at Lloyd Park, Croydon in 2023 and again at Tonbridge last season.
Guy Holcroft, Terry Booth, Lee Lintern, Ian Davies, Ben Gilmore, Phil Pryke, Mo Ansari, Ian Durrant, Jason Robertshaw, Charlie Alger, Phil Curl (debut), Paul Sanderson (m70-1), Mike Mayers (debut), Peter Wootton and Rob Harrison completed the G’s record number of finishers at this event.
We asked the squad for their experiences from this event and Phil Curl on his G’s XC debut said he really enjoyed it, despite it hurting at the time. ‘Perfect conditions and the team spirit and camaraderie were clear to see’.
Guy who bravely opted for blunt spikes stated that he ‘loved the course’ and that it was his ‘best race for a while’.
The G’s will be next in action at the Surrey County Champs at Denbies Vineyard, Dorking on 4th January – another 12km course for the Senior Men.
‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone’!
