September is the month when one season hands over to the next, and the Beagles packed both into four glorious weeks. There was a special invitation to race the Monument Mile in Stirling, one last track meet at Havering in the sunshine, and then the cross country season burst into life with more Beagles teams at the Essex Cross Country Relays than ever before.
Add in road racing from Pitsea to Newcastle, Hitchen, Inverness and the streets of London, a marathon major in Berlin, an Essex combined events title in Peterborough and a SEAA Road Relay championship win at Aldershot, and you have a month to remember. If you missed our last update you can catch up with the August round-up, then read on for all of September’s results.
September at a glance
- U14 Sophia Davies set a new age group best performance for the mile with 4:51.99 at the Monument Mile in Stirling on 6 September 2026.
- Brentwood Beagles won both the U16 girls and U14 girls A team races at the Essex Cross Country Relays, with the V40 men 2nd and the U18 women and senior women 3rd.
- The Brentwood Beagles U14 girls A team of Lianne Esterhuysen, Jess Davidson and Sophia Davies won the SEAA Road Relays at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot, beating every U16 girls team as well.
- Beagles took the first three places overall at the Pitsea Running Club Crown to Crown 5K, led by U16 Ollie Johnson in 18:28.
- Stefan Otway ran 2:26.11 at the Berlin Marathon for 169th overall, with Scott Brooks clocking 2:49.41 on his fifth marathon major.
- U14 Andreas Carlisle was crowned Essex combined events champion and finished 4th in the Eastern region at Peterborough in his first combined events championships.
Monument Mile, Stirling, Scotland
The month began in the best possible way, with a group of Beagles heading to Stirling as specially invited guests of the Monument Mile. Thank you to Gregor for the invitation, which gave our milers a chance to race in a seriously strong field.
Leading the way was U14 Sophia Davies (4:51.99), who produced a massive mile PB and a new club age group best performance in the process. U16 Madison Kindler (5:00.36) was just outside five minutes, with U16 Sophie Bickerstaff (5:06.69) also racing well.
Two Scottish based Beagles got to race on home soil and both made it count: U14 Jess Davidson (5:11.65) took a huge chunk off her PB, and U16 Iyla Souter (5:15.55) added a new best of her own. U14 Lianne Esterhuysen (5:17.94) completed the set with another PB. Six athletes, five personal bests and a club record: not a bad weekend’s work. Photos thanks to @coach66flix and Daniel E.
Pitsea Running Club Crown to Crown 5K
A brilliant night for the club at the Pitsea Running Club Crown to Crown 5K, with Beagles filling the top three places overall and all six of our athletes finishing inside the top 15.
U16 Ollie Johnson (18:28) won the race outright and went on to finish as the U18 male overall series winner. U16 Sophie Bickerstaff (18:33) was 2nd overall and first female home, with Lianne Esterhuysen (19:06) 3rd overall and second female.
U18 Zara Morley (19:45) was third female, Amalie Twydell (20:47) fourth female and Emily Brewington (21:29) fifth female. A clean sweep of the women’s placings and a race win too. Photos by @coach66flix and Daniel E.
Junior Great North Run, Newcastle
A trip to Newcastle for the Junior Great North Run, and a superb run from U14 Jessica Davidson (15:10). Jessica won her own wave by a full 20 seconds and, when all the waves were compared, finished as 3rd female overall across all age categories. A fantastic performance on a big stage.
SEAA U10/U12 Match, Kingston
Our youngest representative of the month travelled to Kingston for the SEAA U10/U12 match, and U10 Harriet Fletcher (50m 9.08) threw herself into four events. Harriet set a new PB over 50m, ran 1:28.08 for 400m, jumped 2.83m in the long jump and threw 16.95m with the howler. A brilliant all round afternoon at a regional match.
SEAA U16/U18 Inter-Counties Match, Kingston
Two Beagles pulled on the Essex vest at the SEAA U16/U18 inter-counties match in Kingston, and both came away with bronze medal positions in the 1500m.
U16 Sophie Bickerstaff (4:50.42) was 3rd in her race, and U18 Zara Morley (4:51.08) matched her with 3rd place and a new personal best. Representing your county against the best in the south is a real honour, so well done to both.
Essex Cross Country Relays
The opening event of the cross country season, and what an opening it was. More Beagles teams took to the start line than ever before, with the junior teams racing 3x3km and the senior and vet teams tackling 6km legs. Two team wins, a second and two thirds made it a day to remember.
The U16 girls were 1st, powered by Sophie Bickerstaff (11:08), Madison Kindler (11:20) and Amalie Twydell (12:08). The U14 girls A team also took the win with Lianne Esterhuysen (11:19), Blossom Smith (11:47) and Emily Brewington (12:07).
Behind them came a wonderful depth of U14 girls teams:
- U14 girls B, 5th: Olivia Spink (12:11), Olivia Norris (13:13) and Thea Clark (13:43).
- U14 girls C, 12th: Rosa Moss (13:57), Evie Foley (14:05) and Milan Shakes (14:39).
- U14 girls D, 16th: Elsie Martin-Boucherab (13:43), Isabella Dunbar (15:25) and Camilla Nash (18:05).
- U14 girls E: Isabelle Henry (15:09).
The U18 women took 3rd with Sophie Penn (12:50), Esme Thomas (12:56) and Isabel Forrest (13:31), while Matthew Jones (11:23) flew round his leg for the U18 men.
The boys were out in force too:
- U16 boys A, 8th: Luca Tredgett (11:32), Cameron Young (11:41) and Edward Cornwall (12:31).
- U16 boys B, 11th: Adam Armour (12:06), Henry Pinato (12:48) and Mason Tredgett (12:56).
- U14 boys A, 6th: Edward Garwood (11:47), Austin Lever (12:03) and Rafi Mather (12:05).
- U14 boys B, 10th: Jude Deal (12:08), Oscar Gander (12:20) and Zack Froud (12:36).
- U14 boys C, 13th: Liam Worth (13:38), Luke Morris (13:53) and Thomas Howlett (13:56).
- U14 boys D, 15th: Theo Rowles (14:26), Jaxxon Chue (15:09) and Patrick Connor (17:04).
Over the longer 6km legs, the senior women were 3rd thanks to Olivia Forrest (24:45), Zara Morley (24:54) and Evie Warn (25:38). The V40 men went one better with 2nd place, James Connor (20:24) setting the tone, followed by Robin Smith (22:46) and Mark Tredgett (25:17). The senior men were 12th with Alex Young (23:30), Elliot Worth (25:33), Yvo Heidemans (25:41) and Aiden Kerr (26:47).
None of this happens without the parents who officiated, ran registration and helped with the presentation, so thank you all. Thank you too to our photographers on the day, @coach66flix (photos) and Daniel E (photos), who captured every leg and every finish.
Havering Open
One last track meet of the season under sunny skies at the Havering Open, and a real mix of ages and events from the Beagles.
U14 Isabella Dunbar (75m hurdles 17.62) also ran 29.59 for 200m and competed in the high jump, with the result to be confirmed. U14 Sophia Davies (4:42.91) was quick over 1500m, and U14 Skylar Phillips (100m 14.82) collected PBs in both sprints with 14.82 and 30.85 for 200m, plus a long jump to be confirmed.
Our U12s were busy: Evie Foley (75m 11.06) set a PB over 75m, ran 1:59.80 for 600m and took on the long jump, while Olivia Spink (75m 11.88) picked up PBs in both the 75m and the 600m (1:55.06) and also long jumped, with the distance to be confirmed. Jack Collier (2:12.57) and Harry Collier (2:20.15) both ran 600m PBs.
In the sprints, U16 Anicet Mavita (12.15) ran a 100m PB, U18 Jeremy Li (100m 12.59) added a 200m PB of 25.53, and U14 Max Cheetham (23.42) clocked a wind assisted 200m. U16 Robyn Colyer (200m 27.89) added 4.41m in the long jump and a javelin throw to be confirmed, and U16 Jess Bone (28.07) was right alongside her over 200m.
U20 Lewis Ton (2:18.07) took on the 800m, and U14 Andreas Carlisle contested both the long jump and the high jump, with results to be confirmed. Thanks to @coach66flix for the photos.
Shoreditch Half Marathon, London
A strong solo effort on the roads of Shoreditch from Andy Leonard (1.35:22), who finished 16th in his age category and inside the top 15% of all finishers at the Shoreditch Half Marathon. A really consistent run over 13.1 miles.
Schools Cross Country, Lee Valley
School vests were on show at Lee Valley, and the Beagles were everywhere in the results. Full results were not available at the time of posting, but here is what we know.
In the year 7 girls race, Blossom Smith was 2nd and Olivia Spink was 3rd. Emily Brewington finished 2nd in the year 8 girls race and took team gold alongside Isobel Larner. Sophie Bickerstaff won the year 10 girls race.
There were team medals elsewhere too: Will Fagan and Henry Greenwood were year 9 team bronze medallists, Aria Sabado picked up a year 10 team silver medal, and Dylan Hussain and Oscar Gander took year 8 team bronze. A lovely reminder of how much our juniors contribute to their schools.
SEAA Road Relays, Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot
The best teams from the South of England gathered at Rushmoor Arena in Aldershot in very warm conditions, and the Beagles U14 girls A team came away as SEAA Road Relay champions.
Lianne Esterhuysen (10:21) led from the gun on leg one, Jess Davidson (10:37) kept the team at the head of the pack on leg two, and Sophia Davies (10:15) brought it home with the fastest U14 leg of the day. The team led from start to finish, recorded the fastest U14 girls time over 3x3km and beat every U16 girls team as well. Outstanding.
The U14 girls B team were a superb 10th, with Blossom Smith (10:45) on leg one, Rosa Moss (11:43) making amazing progress on leg two and Emily Brewington (11:17) bringing them home.
Over four legs of 6km the senior women finished 25th. Evie Warn (23:58) got them going, Barbara Aldridge (26:27) took on her first SEAA relays, Zara Morley (22:44) picked up places on leg three and Olivia Forrest (23:41) brought them home.
Berlin Marathon, Berlin
The Berlin Marathon is always a draw for fast runners thanks to its excellent course and conditions, and two Beagles made the trip.
Stefan Otway (2:26.11) was 169th overall and 67th in his age group, a seriously quick run in a world class field. Scott Brooks (2:49.41) ticked off his fifth marathon major and recorded his second fastest marathon ever. Brilliant running from both.
Eastern and Essex Combined Events Championships, Peterborough
A fantastic day in Peterborough for U14 Andreas Carlisle (high jump 1.47m), who came away as Essex champion and 4th in the Eastern region in his first ever combined events championships.
Andreas cleared 1.47m in the high jump and jumped 4.55m in the long jump, with good performances in the hurdles and the 800m, times to be confirmed. The shot put was less successful, but that is exactly the sort of experience that makes a combined eventer. A superb debut at this level.
Hitchen 5k
A family one two on the roads at the Hitchen 5k. Haysan So (19:46) won the race outright, and his sister Sarena So (20:42) finished 3rd. A great morning’s work from the So household.
River Ness 5K, Inverness
A double Beagles podium in Inverness, in a race with 1800 runners taking part. Iyla Souter (17:55) finished 2nd and Jess Davidson (18:15) was 3rd at the River Ness 5K. Two Beagles vests on the podium in the Scottish Highlands is a lovely sight.
Vitality 10000m, London
Six Beagles took on the streets of London at the Vitality 10000m. Robin Smith (34.56) led the club home in 165th overall and 15th in his age group, with Jamie Williams (39:59) dipping under 40 minutes.
Jemimah Knightbridge (43.53) and Stuart Crowther (45.24), 10th in his age group, were next, and Emily Young (1:10.19) and Celia Cordran (1:14.57) both enjoyed the big city occasion. A great club turnout on one of the most famous 10k courses around.
What a month: a club age group best in Stirling, team golds at the Essex Cross Country Relays, SEAA Road Relay champions at Aldershot, an Essex combined events title, a marathon major and podiums from Pitsea to Inverness. Thank you as always to @coach66flix and Daniel E for the photos that bring these round-ups to life, to Gregor for the Monument Mile invitation, and to the parents who officiated, ran registration and helped with the presentation at the Essex Cross Country Relays.
Thanks too to our coaches and volunteers, who make all of this possible week in and week out. With the track season now closed and the mud season well and truly open, we cannot wait to see what the Beagles do next.
Frequently asked questions
How did Brentwood Beagles perform at the Essex Cross Country Relays in September 2026?
Brentwood Beagles entered more teams than ever before at the Essex Cross Country Relays. The U16 girls team of Sophie Bickerstaff, Madison Kindler and Amalie Twydell finished 1st, and the U14 girls A team of Lianne Esterhuysen, Blossom Smith and Emily Brewington also won. The V40 men were 2nd, while the U18 women and the senior women both finished 3rd.
Who won the SEAA Road Relays U14 girls race at Rushmoor Arena in 2026?
The Brentwood Beagles U14 girls A team of Lianne Esterhuysen (10:21), Jess Davidson (10:37) and Sophia Davies (10:15) won the U14 girls race at the SEAA Road Relays at Rushmoor Arena, Aldershot, on 26 September 2026. They led from start to finish and their combined time beat every U16 girls team, with Sophia Davies recording the fastest U14 leg of the day.
Did any Brentwood Beagles set club records in September 2026?
Yes. U14 Sophia Davies set a new Brentwood Beagles age group best performance for the mile, running 4:51.99 at the Monument Mile in Stirling on 6 September 2026, which was also a massive personal best.
Which Brentwood Beagles ran the Berlin Marathon in September 2026?
Stefan Otway ran 2:26.11 at the Berlin Marathon on 27 September 2026, finishing 169th overall and 67th in his age group. Scott Brooks completed his fifth marathon major in 2:49.41, his second fastest marathon ever.
How did Brentwood Beagles do at the Pitsea Crown to Crown 5K in September 2026?
Brentwood Beagles took the first three places overall at the Pitsea Running Club Crown to Crown 5K. Ollie Johnson won in 18:28, Sophie Bickerstaff was 2nd overall and first female in 18:33, and Lianne Esterhuysen was 3rd overall and second female in 19:06. All six Beagles finished inside the top 15.