Thanks to great runs all round a thin Stoke AC team maintained our status in
Division One of the toughest cross country league in the country. All of the
athletes present put in 110% on the uncompromising Staffordshire Moorlands
course. Despite a sore foot, a fantastic 10th by Andy Allen set up our
survival. In 6th place for most of the race Andy was only overhauled in the
very closing stages.
After a great run in the final North Staffs race on the same course Steve
Heathcote was also in the top 10 on the opening lap before fading and then
rallying superbly for 20th. Jamie Pringle ran despite being injured for most
of the previous 10 days since the Midlands. Again maximum effort was the
name of the game with Jamie giving no ground at any point round the
course.
Gavin Walters was another back from illness who stuck at the job and looked
stronger as the race went on. Gavin missed the BUSA championships to run for
us today! It hopefully won't take him long to get back to the fitness that
his talent deserves. However probably the race of the day for us was run by
Ian Milner. Looking out of it after a lap, Ian suddenly burst into life and
passed runners for the rest of the race. He looked like he could done with
another lap to pick some more off!
Andy Prophett in 79th typically pulled out his best result of the season on
a course which quite definitely does not suit him, to make sure that our 6
counters completed in a satisfactory score. Andy has now run 32 Division One
Birmingham Leagues in a row for Stoke. Now that is commitment!
Rob Rhodes and veteran Nick Stone battled hard throughout to cover for any
mishaps and drop the other teams back a place or two. I am certain that Rob
in particular can be up near the front of the team once his fitness has
returned.
Overall we have to be pleased with our survival this season, but next year
we are going to have to turn out in greater numbers to guarantee competition
at the top level.
John Danahay
Photos
courtesy of Mick Hall
Link to full results
courtesy of Dave Macnamee
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