February is the month when cross country reaches its muddiest, most brilliant peak and the indoor track starts handing out the medals, and our Beagles threw themselves at both. There were national titles in Sheffield and Sedgefield, sprint golds at Lee Valley, league trophies at Gloucester Park and a Beagles vest on the start line in Norwich, Gosfield, Dudley and even Barcelona.
There was mud to the ankles, hay bales, photo finishes and a long, long drive up the A1, plus a huge haul of personal bests along the way. If you missed it, catch up on our last round-up, then read on for everything our athletes did in February.
February at a glance
- Madison Kindler won the U13 girls national cross country title at Sedgefield in 10:51 and took U15 girls 1500m gold at the England Athletics National Indoor Championships in Sheffield in a championship best performance of 4:30.49.
- Brentwood Beagles' U13 girls won team bronze medals at the English Cross Country Association National Championships at Sedgefield.
- Max Sanderson won silver in the U20 1500m at the National Indoor Championships in Sheffield and bronze in the 800m at the SEAA Under 20 Indoor Championships at Lee Valley in 1:56.78.
- The club's U15 girls won the Essex Cross Country League team trophy at the final fixture at Gloucester Park, with the U11 girls second and the U11 boys fourth.
- Max Cheetham became both Essex and Eastern U15 60m champion at Lee Valley with a new PB of 7.41, part of a club haul of three golds, two silvers and two bronze medals on day one of the Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships.
- Colm Forrest won the Year 6 race at the ISA National Cross Country Championships at Himley Hall, Dudley, in 5.57.
Regional Sportshall Championships, Norwich
The Sportshall season reached its regional final in Norwich, and seven of our U13 and U11 Beagles made the trip having been selected to compete for Essex. Representing your county at a regional final is a brilliant achievement in itself, and the performances did not disappoint.
- Max Cheetham (7.49m) was unbeaten on the day, winning the U13 boys triple jump with a best effort of 7.49m and winning the 4 lap race, which he ran twice, clocking 51.6 and then 50.0.
- Rafi Mather (68) matched a strong speed bounce score of 68 for the U13 boys and followed it with 1:29.7 in the 6 lap race.
- Elsie Martin Boucherb (68) also recorded 68 in the U13 girls speed bounce.
- Natanya Itiola was selected for the U13 girls 2 lap race and put in a good performance before picking up an injury. We hope to see her back soon.
- Alex Smith (13.4) won the U11 hi stepper in 13.4 and was 4th in the standing triple jump with a best effort of 5.67m.
- Milena Nevil (5.07m) produced a best effort of 5.07m in the U11 girls standing triple jump and scored 44 in the speed bounce.
- Evie Foley (49) scored 49 in the U11 girls speed bounce and threw 10m in the javelin.
Full team results were not available at the time of writing, but being picked for Essex in the first place says everything about the progress this group has made through the series.
SEAA Under 20 Indoor Championships, Lee Valley
Another championship, another medal for Max Sanderson (1:56.78), who took bronze in the U20 800m at the South of England championships at Lee Valley. Max had already looked sharp in the heats, where he clocked a new PB of 1:56.0 to book his place in the final. A PB and a medal in the same afternoon is a fine day’s work. Thanks to Laurence for the photos of Max.
Ayo Falola Dream Mile, Lee Valley
The Dream Mile at Lee Valley is always a fast, atmospheric night, and the Beagles came away with a stack of personal bests and two race wins.
In the women’s B race, Madison Kindler (4:51.34) was a superb winner, her PB also standing as a U15 age group best performance. Behind her came three more PBs: Sophia Davies (5:10.18), Sophie Bickerstaff (5:17.61) and Lianne Esterhuysen (5:22.33), with Jessica Davidson (5:31.58) completing the Beagles quintet.
The men’s B race went the same way, with Max Sanderson (4:13.55) running a superbly strategic race to take the win and a great PB.
In the women’s C race there were PBs for Sarena So (5:42.08) and Aria Sabado (5:45.52), with Emily Brewington (6:02.21) also racing well. In the women’s A race, Olivia Forrest (5:11.59) took on a quality field, and on the track Mattie Delea (53.70) stepped out over 400m. Thanks as always to @coach66flix for the photos.
Cross Challenge, Parliament Hill, London
Parliament Hill served up an incredibly muddy course and some of the best young cross country runners in the country, and the Beagles won three of the day’s races.
In the U11 girls 2k, Blossom Smith (6:54) led from the front and won by over 10 seconds, a brilliant piece of front running. In the U11 boys 2k, Jude Deal (7:12) was 13th, George Kyprianou (7:34) 20th and Thomas Howlett (7:34) 22nd, while James Fitzgerald started well but had to pull out during the event.
The U13 girls 3km brought a Beagles one two, with Madison Kindler (11:28) first and Sophia Davies (11:37) second, and Lianne Esterhuysen (12:33) 9th. In the U13 boys 3k, Austin Lever (13:34) was 22nd.
The U15 girls 4k was another win, Summer Smith (15:54) taking the race, with Sophie Bickerstaff (16:39) 4th and just outside the medals, Aria Sabado (18:40) 16th, Amalie Twydell (19:10) 19th and Amber Walker (20:16) 22nd.
Over 6km in the U17 women’s race, Zara Morley (25:59) was 19th and Olivia Forrest (26:01) 20th, with Isabel Forrest (28:16) 27th. Evie Warn looked strong before a fall forced her to stop her race. Finally, Robin Smith (40:13) was 43rd over 10km, taking on some of the country’s top talent and the very worst of the mud.
Essex Cross Country League Final Fixture and End of Season Standings, Gloucester Park
More mud, and some hay bales for good measure, as the Essex Cross Country League season came to a close at Gloucester Park. It was a huge Beagles turnout across every age group.
In the U11 girls 2km, Isabelle Holme (5:45) took the win. She was followed by Isabelle Henry (6:46) in 10th, Evie Foley (6:51) 11th, Nadia Price (7:01) 14th, Elise Gosling (7:59) 21st, Camilla Nash (9:07) 33rd and Florence Magee (9:11) 36th.
The U11 boys 2km saw Bertie Allen (6:14) 14th, Jacob Irons (6:26) 21st, Theo Irons (6:55) 28th, Ralph Hope (7:05) 31st, Ethan Wilson (7:10) 33rd and Liam Worth (7:51) 39th.
Over 3k, Emily Brewington (12:55) was 4th U13 girl and Grace Lander (14:18) 11th. The U13 boys were out in force:
- Edward Garwood (12:07), 7th
- Robert Barke (12:16), 11th
- Cameron Young (12:22), 13th
- Oscar Gander (12:52), 22nd
- Theo Rowles (14:09), 45th
- Jamie Murphy (14:11), 46th
- Henry Pinato (14:42), 52nd
- Jacob Stanley (15:27), 55th
- Sid Allen (15:46), 56th
In the U15 girls 4k, Izzy Young (17:29) was 2nd, Esme Thomas (18:18) 5th and Sophie Penn (18:59) 11th. The U15 boys 4k saw Ollie Johnson (17:04) 18th, Luca Tredgett (19:17) 40th and Adam Armour (19:23) 42nd. Over the 6k course, Jude Hearn (23:12) was 8th and the only U17 in action.
The senior men were led home by Alex Young (36:35) in 34th, with Kurt Brooks (38:02) 49th, James Wilson (38:18) 53rd, Mark Tredgett (38:48) 58th, Keith Thornton (43:19) 108th, Ben Morgan (45:52) 130th and Dan Stanley (47:50) 144th.
And so to the end of season standings. Our U15 girls were 1st and picked up the team trophy after an incredibly consistent season, the U11 girls finished as second team and the U11 boys were 4th. The senior men were first team in their division on Saturday and finished 3rd in Division 2, narrowly missing out on promotion despite great consistency all season. Individually, Izzy Young was 3rd in the U15 girls overall standings, Emily Brewington 2nd U13 girl and Alex Young 2nd in the V45 age group. Further league prizes are still to be confirmed, so watch this space.
England Athletics National Indoor Championships, Sheffield
Two Beagles travelled to Sheffield for the national indoors and both came home with a medal. Madison Kindler (4:30.49) was simply outstanding in the U15 girls 1500m, taking gold with a championship best performance, a time that beat every other female age group in action on the day.
Max Sanderson took silver in the U20 1500m, leading for most of a tactical and incident filled race that included two fallers. To lead that long and hold on for a national medal takes real courage. Thanks to Laurence and Hannah for the photos.
ISA Cross Country Regional Round, Gosfield Hedge School
Beagles in school colours at the ISA regional round at Gosfield Hedge School, with three national qualifications secured. Colm Forrest won the Year 6 boys race, and Isabelle Holmes won the Year 6 girls race by quite a margin, both booking their places at the national event. Albie Clark was 8th in the Year 4 event and also qualified for the nationals. Thea Clarke finished 19th in the Year 6 race, and Amelia Forrest ran up a year to finish 42nd in the Year 4 race. Great racing from our youngest Beagles.
Barcelona Half Marathon
A trip to Spain for two of our road runners, in a field of almost 37,000. Scott Brooks (1:18.40) was 689th in his age group, and Kurt Brooks (1:19.55) took a huge PB to finish 219th in his age group. Two very strong runs in a very big race.
Battersea 5km, London
A quick trip into London brought three excellent results at the Battersea 5km. Sophia Davies (17:59) was the first female finisher, Lianne Esterhuysen (18:53) was second in her age group, and Daniel Esterhuysen (20:31) was first V45 male. A lovely set of results for the family and the club.
Lee Valley Middle Distance Open
Back indoors at Lee Valley, and more PBs for the Beagles middle distance squad. Over 800m, Sophia Davies (2:22.39) ran a new PB, Freddie Bangs (2:34.52) looked determined throughout for a great result, and Isabella Davies (2:40.44) kept nicely consistent over the four laps.
Over 1500m, Madison Kindler (4:28.01) added yet another PB with a really committed run, George Bangs (4:30.42) stood his ground well in a competitive race, Haysan So (5:14.02) looked strong in her heat for a new PB, and Sarena So (5:15.84) put together some good early laps.
English Cross Country Association National Cross Country Championships, Sedgefield
The long journey north to Sedgefield was well worth it. Despite weeks of rain, the weather was favourable and the course was in great condition, with undulating loops and top quality competition from across the country.
The headline belongs to Madison Kindler (10:51), who won the U13 girls 3km to become national champion. Behind her, Sophia Davies (11:16) was 5th and Lianne Esterhuysen (11:39) 13th, with Emily Brewington (12:27) 68th and Isabella Davies (12:46) 94th, both in their first national cross country. Together, Madison, Sophia, Lianne, Emily and Isabella took team bronze medals for Brentwood Beagles, a fantastic team performance on the biggest domestic stage.
In the U15 girls 4km, Sophie Bickerstaff (14:07) was 15th after overtaking people throughout the race, with Amalie Twydell (15:55) 116th. Over 5k in the U17 women’s race, Olivia Forrest (17:30) was an excellent 11th, Zara Morley (17:58) 24th and Isabel Forrest (20:03) 91st.
Thanks to @coach66flix and Daniel E for the photos, and to the parents who supported all day and did all the driving.
Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships Day One, Lee Valley
Sprint Saturday at Lee Valley, and day one of the Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships brought the club three championship gold medals, two silvers and two bronze, along with a long list of personal bests.
The 60m was the story of the day. In the U15 boys, Max Cheetham (7.72 in the heat, 7.59 in the semi final for a PB, 7.41 in the final for another PB) won a photo finish by the narrowest of margins to become both Essex and Eastern champion. Patrick Barden (7.63 in the heat for a PB, 7.66 in the semi final, 7.66 in the final) won his heat and finished 6th in the final, while Felix Rogers (7.63 in the heat for a PB, 7.64 in the semi final) matched Patrick’s heat time and just missed out on the final. Karihys Hoyte (7.97 in the heat for a PB, 7.97 in the semi final) qualified for the semi finals and matched his first round PB there.
In the U15 girls 60m, Dolci Hoyte (8.80) was 3rd in her heat. The U13 boys 60m saw Daniel Ayandare (8.97 in the first round, 8.94 in the semi final) qualify for the semi finals with a great first round performance, just missing out on the final.
The U13 girls 60m produced PBs all round: Isabella Dunbar (9.46) qualified for the semi final with a PB of 9.54 in her heat and then improved again to 9.46, Macey Pitts (9.58), Christina Lees (9.85), Amaia Keskin-Larrea (9.98) and Camilla Nash (10.24) all setting new bests.
Among the older athletes, Muhammed Belgore (7.85) ran a PB in the senior men’s 60m, and Stuart Carter (8.21) picked up an Essex bronze medal in the vets men’s 60m.
In the long jump there was plenty more to celebrate. Robyn Colyer (3.97m) set a new PB in the U15 girls, with Amelie Irvine (3.69m) also competing. Daniel Ayandare (3.85m) was 4th in Essex in the U13 boys, and Oliver Nevill (3.49m) jumped a PB. Isabella Dunbar (3.55m), Macey Pitts (3.23m), Amaia Keskin-Larrea (2.83m) and Camilla Nash (2.79m) all recorded PBs in the U13 girls.
Daniel Ayandare then saved his best for last in the U13 boys shot put, a superb final throw of 7.29m making him Essex champion and winning silver in the Easterns. Oliver Nevill rounded off the day in the U13 boys 60m hurdles, qualifying for the final with a PB of 11.02 in his heat and running 11.16 in the final to take Essex silver and Eastern bronze. Photos by @coach66flix.
ISA National Cross Country Championships, Himley Hall, Dudley
The ISA national final at Himley Hall in Dudley finished the month in style. Colm Forrest (5.57) produced a superb win in the Year 6 race to take championship gold, a brilliant reward for that regional qualification a fortnight earlier. Mia Holmes (7:26) raced well in the Year 5/6 girls event to finish 60th in a big national field.
What a month. Two national titles, a national team bronze, county and regional sprint golds, a league team trophy and personal bests in almost every age group. Thank you to @coach66flix, Laurence, Hannah and Daniel E for the photos that capture it all, to our coaches and team managers for the endless organising, and to the parents and volunteers who drove, marshalled and cheered from Norwich to Sedgefield and everywhere in between.
With the cross country league season now wrapped up and the indoor medals shared out, our athletes turn their attention to the months ahead. Whatever your event, keep training, keep enjoying it, and we will see you in the next round-up.
Frequently asked questions
Who won national titles for Brentwood Beagles in February 2026?
Madison Kindler won two national titles for Brentwood Beagles in February 2026: the U15 girls 1500m at the England Athletics National Indoor Championships in Sheffield in a championship best performance of 4:30.49, and the U13 girls 3km at the English Cross Country Association National Cross Country Championships at Sedgefield in 10:51. Colm Forrest also won the Year 6 race at the ISA National Cross Country Championships at Himley Hall, Dudley, in 5.57.
How did Brentwood Beagles perform at the National Cross Country Championships at Sedgefield?
Brentwood Beagles' U13 girls won team bronze medals at Sedgefield through Madison Kindler (1st, 10:51), Sophia Davies (5th, 11:16), Lianne Esterhuysen (13th, 11:39), Emily Brewington (68th, 12:27) and Isabella Davies (94th, 12:46). In the U15 girls 4km Sophie Bickerstaff was 15th in 14:07 and Amalie Twydell 116th in 15:55, while in the U17 women's 5k Olivia Forrest was 11th in 17:30, Zara Morley 24th in 17:58 and Isabel Forrest 91st in 20:03.
How did Brentwood Beagles finish in the Essex Cross Country League 2025/26?
At the final Essex Cross Country League fixture at Gloucester Park, the Brentwood Beagles U15 girls won the team trophy, the U11 girls finished as second team, the U11 boys were fourth and the senior men finished third in Division 2 after being first team in their division on the day. Individually, Izzy Young was third in the U15 girls standings, Emily Brewington second U13 girl and Alex Young second in the V45 age group.
How many medals did Brentwood Beagles win at the Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships?
On day one of the Essex and Eastern Indoor Championships at Lee Valley, Brentwood Beagles won three championship gold medals, two silvers and two bronze. Max Cheetham was Essex and Eastern U15 60m champion with a PB of 7.41, Daniel Ayandare was Essex U13 boys shot put champion with 7.29m and Eastern silver medallist, Oliver Nevill took Essex silver and Eastern bronze in the U13 boys 60m hurdles, and Stuart Carter won Essex bronze in the vets men's 60m.
Which Brentwood Beagles athletes represented Essex at the Regional Sportshall Championships in Norwich?
Seven Brentwood Beagles were selected for the Essex team at the Regional Sportshall Championships in Norwich: Max Cheetham, Rafi Mather, Elsie Martin Boucherb, Natanya Itiola, Alex Smith, Milena Nevil and Evie Foley. Max Cheetham won both of his events, taking the U13 boys triple jump with 7.49m and the 4 lap race, which he ran twice in 51.6 and 50.0.