25 October 2008	BIRMINGHAM CROSS COUNTRY CHALLENGE - SENNELYS PARK
	This traditional big cross country meet starts the new season in the Birmingham League as well as offering some of our promising junior athletes a chance to show their credentials on a bigger stage. Tom Guy was back in front of Dave Sheldon in the U15 boys race, but both are probably thinking they could have gone a little quicker. Alex Brecker was not far behind, but disappointingly there was no team prize offered by the organisers on this occasion, which our lads would definitely have won. Possibly the reason the fields were smaller than previous years? Macauley Snutch was top Stoke AC finisher in the U13 boys with a strong 4th, closely followed by Lindon Evans in 7th, and an excellent run by the improving Nick Stoddard in 9th. Like the U15s, these lads would have won the team prize if one had been given. In the U17 race Joe Broome had a great run with Liam Hendricken not far behind. The first race in the Birmingham League always sets the tone for the rest of the season, so it was pleasing to start with 10 starters. Still missing 3 or 4 top runners, nevertheless this looked a useful team on paper as regards a promotion push straight back to Division 1. For the second week in a row top Stoke finisher was new recruit Seb Duffy with an excellent 4th place in Division 2. It was brilliant to see Tom Gayle back after 2 years of injury and a top 10 finish was an excellent outcome. Very close behind Steve Bazell had another strong run, and knows he will also make the top 10 next time out. 4th Stoke finisher was surprise package Tim Smith, one of our student signings beginning to improve quickly. Gary Castrey was next counter. Gary only arrived back in the UK  the previous afternoon after a long haul flight from a holiday in Nepal (where he has not run for 3 weeks!), and he therefore ran really well in the circumstances, and will obviously go much better once he is recovered. Close behind Gary, 6th counter Dave Lee showed that his recent improvement continues with an outstanding last lap and finish.  Yet another new recruit (that doesn't sound right saying it for Stoke AC!) Ant Faulkner ran superbly to finish in the top half of the field after only a few month's running. Adrian Thiemicke completed our finishers with his usual steady run to make sure that we were not caught out by any further DNFs (See below).  Overall, to finish 2nd team on the day was an excellent performance, and gives us an excellent start to the promotion campaign, particularly once one or two more come back and give us some more depth. We might have scored even better but for injuries to both Josh Berrisford and myself in the race. Hopefully Josh will recover quickly, but it is not looking so good for me - then again, how many times have I said that! And finally, (and I seem to have repeated this a few times recently...) there was another outstanding performance from top local Alex Derricott as he finished right at the head of the field in 5th overall - without doubt his best senior level performance so far - well done Alex!  John Danahay Full results at www.race-results.co.uk
	Stoke results:  U13 Boys 4. Macauley Snutch 7. Lindon Evans 9. Nick Stoddard U15 Boys 7. Tom Guy 10. Dave Sheldon 14. Alex Brecker U17 Men 7. Joe Broome 10. Liam Hendricken Senior Men 4. Seb Duffy 9. Tom Gayle 12. Steve Bazell 24. Tim Smith 49. Gary Castrey 50. Dave Lee 129. Ant Faulkner 165. Adrian Thiemicke	12.08 12.17 12.50 11.02 11.15 11.36 20.10 20.45 Provisionally 2nd team - 148 points 34.46 35.33 35.45 36.45 38.38 38.47 43.35 46.18