LONDON Heathside's women enjoyed a solid start to their Metropolitan League season at Ruislip, with Tess Mewton putting in a brilliant performance on her club debut. Mewton crossed the line in 23rd place overall...

LONDON Heathside's women enjoyed a solid start to their Metropolitan League season at Ruislip, with Tess Mewton putting in a brilliant performance on her club debut.

Mewton crossed the line in 23rd place overall with a time of 24 minutes 46 seconds, having hung on well after a flying start.

Ella Waldman led the race for a while and was the first Heathside woman home in third place in 22:39.

The veterans' team, led by Louise Waldman and Jackie Wastell, also performed well, with Waldman finishing 42nd in 25:51 and Wastell in 44th with 25:58.

There were several teenagers competing in the men's race, with Mehertab Soloman comfortably the top Heathside man with a time of 27:31, although he faded after a solid start to slip from the top six to 14th.

Six of the next seven runners were veterans as Heathside ensured they already have a healthy lead to defend that title, with Paul Lemmon (40th in 29:21), Martin Potter (47th in 29:30) and John Flahive (54th in 30:14) the first Heathsiders to finish.

The team eventually finished seventh, a couple of places down on their early target for the season.