If September lit the fuse, October set off the fireworks for Brentwood Beagles. Our U14 girls were crowned national champions twice over, first on the roads of Sutton Park and then on the grass at Mansfield, while two Beagles came home from Madeira as world champions. Add in the biggest Essex Cross Country League turnouts we have seen, a southern title at Wormwood Scrubs, schools cup races all over the county and marathons in Budapest and Frankfurt, and you have one of the most remarkable months in the club’s history.
From our youngest U12s tackling their first muddy 1.5k to masters runners racing eight kilometres at One Tree Hill, every single Beagle played a part. If you missed our last update you can catch up with the September round-up, then read on for all of October’s results. October also saw the club named England Athletics East Region Unsung Project of the Year.
October at a glance
- Brentwood Beagles U14 girls won the ERRA National Road Relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham on 3 October 2026, with Lianne Esterhuysen, Jess Davidson and Sophia Davies taking the inaugural U14 title by 96 seconds.
- The same age group won the English National Cross Country Relays at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield on 31 October 2026, where Lianne Esterhuysen, Emily Brewington and Sophia Davies took the national title.
- Jessica Davidson became laser run world champion in Madeira, while Maddie Kindler won individual biathle silver plus team gold and mixed relay gold at the same World Championships.
- The BBAC U14 girls team of Blossom Smith, Jess Davidson and Lianne Esterhuysen won the SEAA Cross Country Relays 3x2km at Wormwood Scrubs, London by almost a minute.
- Six Beagles automatically earned Essex vests at round 2 of the Essex Cross Country League at One Tree Hill, where the club took four age group wins and three first place teams.
- Summer Smith finished 19th overall in the A final at the World Triathlon Championships in Melilla after leading the field out of the water.
ERRA National Road Relays, Sutton Park, Birmingham
A beautiful day in Birmingham, the best teams in England on the start line, and a piece of club history written on the roads of Sutton Park. Our U14 girls were crowned National Road Relay champions, the very first winners of the new U14 title.
Lianne Esterhuysen (13:27) set the tone with a very strong opening 3.88k leg that placed the team right among the lead runners. Jess Davidson (14:45) then began to build a gap to the chasing teams, before Sophia Davies (13:18) produced the fastest lap of all U14 girls on the day to push the team out to a 96 second lead over second place. National champions, and thoroughly deserved.
The U16 girls took 9th with brilliant team work and visible progress through the afternoon. Amalie Twydell (15:00) held her own off a very combative start line, Haysan So (14:49) had the run of her life and sprinted at the finish, and Sophie Bickerstaff (13:48) drove the team up to 9th with a strong anchor leg.
In the U18 women’s race we were not quite able to field a full team, but both runners did themselves proud: Sarena So (15:11) ran hard and did a great job, and Isabel Forrest (16:32) looked strong throughout. Over the longer 5.47km senior women’s leg, Olivia Forrest (20:14) was delighted to be back on one of her favourite courses. Photos thanks to @coach66flix, Leo and Daniel.
Essex Cross Country League Match 1, Hylands Park, Chelmsford
The first Essex Cross Country League match of the season brought an excellent Beagles turnout to Hylands Park. The U12 race came up a little short of the 1.5k distance and the U14 race was a little under 3k, but the racing was full value.
In the U12 girls race Willow Smith (5:10) was 1st and Ariana Wiggett (5:12) 2nd for a brilliant one two. Behind them came:
- Melanie Golis (5:20), 4th
- Leia Broadhurst (5:26), 6th
- Rose Spink (5:29), 8th
- Alexandra Johnston (5:35), 10th
- Elise Gosling (5:40), 12th
- Danel Esterhuysen (5:56), 15th
- Thea Fitzgerald (5:57), 16th
- Priya Shina-Grant (6:06), 19th
- Arielle Williams (6:16), 21st
- Isabelle Edwards (6:51), 25th
The U12 boys turned out in huge numbers, led home by Leo Boisvert (4:58) in 4th:
- Ezra Gooch (5:01), 9th
- Tommy Scott (5:02), 10th
- Finbar Daly (5:08), 18th
- Sean Connor (5:09), 20th
- Elliott Purcell (5:10), 22nd
- Albie Clarke (5:11), 23rd
- Theo Irons (5:19), 30th
- Joshua Jackson (5:41), 48th
- Rafe Matthews (6:00), 55th
- Sebastian Bernard (6:03), 57th
- Alby Jones (6:08), 58th
- Finley Smith (6:15), 60th
- Sheldon Waithe (6:17), 61st
- Samuel Slattery (6:47), 63rd
Lianne Esterhuysen (11:16) was a dominant winner of the U14 girls race, 43 seconds clear of the next runner. She was backed up by a superb pack of Beagles:
- Olivia Spink (12:02), 4th
- Emily Brewington (12:08), 5th
- Darcie Dainty (12:47), 12th
- Olivia Norris (13:04), 15th
- Thea Clark (13:06), 17th
- Rosa Moss (13:38), 25th
- Evie Foley (13:42), 26th
- Isabelle Henry (14:08), 31st
- Amaia Keskin-Larrea (15:03), 48th
- Nora Heidemans (15:04), 49th
- Chayah Falola (15:48), 56th
- Camilla Nash (16:04), 57th
- Isla Smith (16:19), 58th
Edward Garwood (11:38) led the U14 boys home in 12th, with a tight pack right behind him:
- Oscar Gander (11:45), 16th
- Austin Lever (11:50), 19th
- Jude Deal (11:51), 20th
- Archie Hart (12:40), 42nd
- Theo Rowles (13:13), 51st
- Ethan Wilson (13:23), 54th
- Liam Worth (13:27), 56th
- Luke Morris (13:35), 58th
- Alex Smith (13:51), 64th
- Reuben Kelly (15:16), 71st
- Patrick Connor (15:25), 73rd
Over 4km, Sophie Bickerstaff (16:41) won the U16 girls race by 34 seconds, with Haysan So (18:04) 6th, Amalie Twydell (18:14) 9th and Riya Mistry (19:41) 19th.
In the U16 boys 4km, Luca Tredgett (17:03) was first Beagle home in 21st. He was followed by Will Fagan (17:17) in 28th, Cameron Young (17:36) in 33rd, Henry Pinato (18:18) in 44th, Adam Armour (18:43) in 48th, Edward Cornwall (18:50) in 49th, Mason Tredgett (19:24) in 55th and Jacob Stanley (22:44) in 66th.
The U18 races were run over 6km. Will Hughes (22:25) was first Beagle boy home in 6th, with Ollie Johnson (24:08) 25th and Matthew Jones (24:53) 30th. In the U18 girls race Isabelle Young led from the front all the way, only for a medical incident to stop her 50m from the finish, which was heartbreaking after such a brave run. Sarena So (27:12) was first female Beagle home in 6th, Amber Walker (27:49) 11th, Esme Thomas (28:14) 12th and Sophie Penn (28:43) 15th.
In the senior women’s 6km, Lorraine Massarella (30:56) was 54th. The senior men tackled roughly 8km, where James Connor (31:10) was 2nd overall and 1st V40:
- Robin Smith (34:45), 32nd
- Scott Brooks (36:13), 47th
- James Wilson (38:53), 84th
- Elliot Worth (40:17), 110th
- Will Gazzard (40:57), 116th
- Yvo Heidemans (41:00), 118th
- Andy Scott (43:13), 141st
- Dan Stanley (47:08), 183rd
Thanks to Leo and Daniel for the photos.
Peterborough Half Marathon
A solo trip to Peterborough for the half marathon, and a really tidy run from Rob Lankester (1:23.55.9), who finished 41st in his age group. A strong morning’s work on the roads.
English Schools Cup First Round, Essex
School colours replaced club vests for the first round of the English Schools Cup, with races spread across the week. Times are not really taken at this event, so the positions tell their own story, and they tell a very good one.
In the first of the races, Zara Morley (1st) won the senior girls event. Jude Deal (18th) led the junior boys, with Luca Tredgett (19th) in the inter boys, Jessica Thomson (39th) in the inter girls and Chloe Thomson (52nd) in the junior girls.
In the second race, Isabelle Holme (1st) took the junior girls win with Thea Clark (7th) also well up the field. Esme Thomas (8th) and Isabel Forrest (13th) flew the flag in the senior girls, and Luke Morris (52nd) raced the junior boys.
The third race brought a huge Beagles presence and three more individual wins. In the junior girls, Lianne Esterhuysen (1st) led home Blossom Smith (2nd) and Isobel Larner (3rd) for a clean sweep of the podium, with Emily Brewington (6th), Olivia Spink (7th), Nadia Price (12th), Evie Foley (13th), Milan Shakes (16th), Elsie Martin-Bouchareb (17th) and Rosa Moss (19th) all packing in behind.
The junior boys were led by Zack Froud (5th), with Rafi Mather (7th), Edward Garwood (9th), Oscar Gander (22nd), Archie Hart (39th) and Theo Rowles (48th) close behind.
George Bangs (1st) won the inter boys race ahead of clubmates Max Cheetham (16th), George Smith (17th), Edward Cornwall (32nd), Henry Pinato (34th) and Henry Greenwood (78th). In the inter girls, Sophie Bickerstaff (1st) made it another win, with Aria Sabado (8th), Riya Mistry (18th) and Isabelle Holmes (32nd) all racing well.
The senior girls saw Evie Warn (2nd) just miss the win, with Amber Walker (8th) and Sophie Penn (11th) backing her up, while Matthew Jones flew the Beagles flag in the senior boys race.
SEAA Cross Country Relays, Wormwood Scrubs, London
Another championship weekend, another title. Our U14 girls won the 3x2km relay at Wormwood Scrubs by almost a minute to add a southern crown to the collection.
Blossom Smith (7:23) put the team right at the front of the pack on leg one, Jess Davidson (7:30) then pulled away to build a gap, and Lianne Esterhuysen (7:01) brought it home with a strong last leg.
The U16 girls finished 6th overall. Amalie Twydell (7:38) made a strong start to position the team well, Haysan So (7:55) delivered a good middle leg, and Sophie Bickerstaff (7:04) picked up places on the anchor. Sarena So (11:37) did a great job on her 3km leg. Photos by @coach66flix.
World Triathlon Championships, Melilla
An incredible performance on the world stage from Summer Smith (19th overall), who qualified for the A final at the World Triathlon Championships in Melilla. A superb swim saw Summer exit the water first, and she went on to finish 19th overall in a very tough competition. A brilliant achievement.
Essex Cross Country League Round 2, One Tree Hill
A hilly course, plenty of mud and a huge day for the club: four age group wins, four podium finishes and six Beagles automatically earning their Essex vests.
The U12 boys finished as first team over 1.5k, led home by Hugo Barker (5:31) in 2nd:
- Leo Boisvert (5:54), 7th
- Tommy Scott (5:58), 10th
- Ezra Gooch (6:00), 11th
- Hudson Smith (6:05), 13th
- Elliot Purcell (6:13), 19th
- Sean Connor (6:18), 25th
- Seb Bridger (6:29), 28th
- Theo Irons (6:30), 29th
- Joshua Jackson (7:01), 40th
- Murphy Hogarth (7:04), 42nd
- Sebastian Bernard (7:06), 44th
- Finley Smith (7:27), 48th
- Max Morris (7:31), 49th
- Sheldon Waithe (7:32), 50th
The U12 girls also took the team win with a one two at the front: Willow Smith (6:13) 1st and Arianna Wiggett (6:16) 2nd. They were joined by Alexandra Johnston (6:37) in 6th, Rose Spink (6:41) in 7th, Danel Esterhuysen (6:58) in 11th, Priya Shina-Grant (7:31) in 18th and Isla Johnson (7:39) in 20th.
The U14 race featured extra hills over approximately 3km. Zack Froud (12:11) produced a superb run for 8th in the boys race, followed by:
- Austin Lever (12:53), 21st
- Jude Deal (13:10), 26th
- Archie Hart (14:22), 46th
- Ethan Wilson (14:56), 55th
- Alex Smith (15:03), 57th
- Dylan Hussain (15:39), 66th
- Luke Morris (15:58), 67th
- Jaxxon Chue (16:51), 69th
- Patrick Connor (16:59), 70th
- Jacob Irons (19:05), 73rd, who bravely finished the race despite an issue during it
The U14 girls were simply dominant, taking first team and the top two places. Sophia Davies (11:46) won, with Lianne Esterhuysen (12:07) 2nd and earning her Essex vest. Behind them:
- Jess Davidson (12:32), 4th
- Blossom Smith (12:44), 5th, and an Essex vest
- Emily Brewington (13:14), 9th
- Olivia Spink (13:30), 13th
- Olivia Norris (14:24), 19th
- Rosa Moss (14:34), 22nd
- Isabelle Henry (15:23), 31st
- Isla Smith (17:08), 43rd
Conditions turned muddier for the 4km U16 races. Cameron Young (16:04) led the boys home in 30th, with Will Fagan (16:06) 31st, Adam Armour (16:51) 40th, Henry Pinato (17:19) 43rd, Edward Cornwall (17:56) 47th and Jacob Stanley (20:16) 55th. In the girls race Sophie Bickerstaff (15:11) won and earned her Essex vest, with Amalie Twydell (16:25) 7th, Grace Lander (19:48) 22nd and Robyn Colyer (21:44) 37th.
Our U18 teams were small but brilliant over 6km. Will Hughes (21:26) was 6th and gained his Essex vest, while Onyx Hogarth (29:31) made a promising debut in 32nd. Izzy Young (25:11) took 5th and her Essex vest, with Amber Walker (26:07) 8th and Sophie Penn (26:40) 11th.
Zara Morley (25:51) won the U20 women’s race over 7km and was 5th overall in the senior women’s race, winning an Essex vest in the process. Over 8km, Max Sanderson (26:45) was 2nd U20 and 4th overall, just ahead of James Connor (26:48) in 5th. The rest of the men’s field:
- Robin Smith (29:58), 28th
- Alex Young (31:36), 51st
- Robert Lankester (33:50), 79th
- James Wilson (34:16), 87th
- Scott Brooks (35:14), 104th
- Andy Scott (37:24), 133rd
- Lewis Ton (37:31), 136th
- Dan Stanley (41:34), 177th
Photos thanks to @coach66flix.
Budapest Marathon
A brilliant run in the Hungarian capital from Glenn Phippin (4:20.35), who completed the Budapest Marathon in style. Twenty six point two miles of sightseeing, the hard way.
Frankfurt Marathon
Another marathon, another excellent Beagles performance. Perry Hughes (3:06:17) produced a brilliant run on the fast roads of Frankfurt.
English National Cross Country Relays, Berry Hill Park, Mansfield
The month finished on one of the best courses of the year, and with another national title. Our U14 girls won the English National Cross Country Relays over 2km legs at Berry Hill Park.
Lianne Esterhuysen (7:15) led the race on the opening leg and was only caught on the line as she handed over. Emily Brewington (7:47) then ran the race of her life to stay with the front group and record the 3rd fastest time on her leg, before Sophia Davies (6:58) resumed the lead and built a gap with the fastest leg of all U14 girls on the day. National champions again.
The U16 girls finished 14th. Sophie Bickerstaff (7:02) was fastest on leg one and recorded the quickest U16 girls time of the whole day, Haysan So (7:56) took over at the front and held on to the leading runners, and Amalie Twydell (8:01) battled throughout her leg.
Sarena So (10:17) was our only runner in the U18 race and gave it everything over 3k. In the junior women’s 3k relay, Zara Morley (9:03) led the team off and showed all the progress she has made in training, with Evie Warn (9:28) and Olivia Forrest (9:58) completing the team, who were 9th overall and 6th in the official race once ineligible teams were discounted. Max Sanderson (8:43) ran the third leg of the junior men’s 3k relay for Loughborough students, whose team finished 3rd. Photos by @coach66flix.
Laser Run and Biathle World Championships, Madeira
What a way to end the month. Two Beagles travelled to Madeira for the World Championships and came home with four medals between them.
Jessica Davidson (1st) became laser run world champion with a superb performance across both the running and the laser shooting. Maddie Kindler (2nd) won individual world silver in the biathle, the run, swim and run format, and then added two gold medals: team gold and mixed relay gold. World champions in a Beagles vest, quite simply brilliant.
What a month. Two national titles for the U14 girls, a southern relay title, a world champion, Essex vests earned in the mud at One Tree Hill and more than a hundred Beagles racing across cross country, road and triathlon. Every result above, from the front of a national championship to a first ever 1.5k, is part of the same story.
Huge thanks to @coach66flix, Leo and Daniel for the photos that bring these round-ups to life, and to all the coaches, team managers, parents and volunteers who drive the minibuses, hold the spikes bags and shout from the hills. The cross country season rolls on, so keep an eye on the club calendar and we will see you at the next one.
Frequently asked questions
Which Brentwood Beagles team won the ERRA National Road Relays in October 2026?
The Brentwood Beagles U14 girls team of Lianne Esterhuysen (13:27), Jess Davidson (14:45) and Sophia Davies (13:18) won the inaugural U14 girls title at the ERRA National Road Relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham on 3 October 2026, finishing 96 seconds clear of second place. Sophia Davies recorded the fastest U14 girls lap of the day.
Did Brentwood Beagles win a national cross country relay title in 2026?
Yes. At the English National Cross Country Relays at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield on 31 October 2026, the Brentwood Beagles U14 girls team of Lianne Esterhuysen (7:15), Emily Brewington (7:47) and Sophia Davies (6:58) won the national title over 2km legs. Sophia Davies ran the fastest U14 girls leg of the day and Sophie Bickerstaff (7:02) recorded the fastest U16 girls time of the day.
Who became a world champion for Brentwood Beagles in October 2026?
Jessica Davidson became laser run world champion at the World Championships in Madeira on 31 October 2026. Maddie Kindler won individual biathle silver at the same championships, along with team gold and mixed relay gold.
How did Brentwood Beagles get on in the Essex Cross Country League in October 2026?
Brentwood Beagles raced match 1 at Hylands Park, Chelmsford on 10 October 2026, where Lianne Esterhuysen won the U14 girls race by 43 seconds, Sophie Bickerstaff won the U16 girls race by 34 seconds and James Connor was 2nd overall and 1st V40. At round 2 at One Tree Hill on 24 October 2026 the club took four age group wins, first place teams in the U12 boys, U12 girls and U14 girls, and six automatic Essex vests.
Which Beagles ran marathons and half marathons in October 2026?
Rob Lankester ran 1:23.55.9 at the Peterborough Half Marathon on 13 October 2026, finishing 41st in his age group. Glenn Phippin completed the Budapest Marathon in 4:20.35 and Perry Hughes ran 3:06:17 at the Frankfurt Marathon, both on 25 October 2026.