Roundhay Park in Leeds is another tough 'National' Cross Country course but
Stoke AC's small band of determined athletes had representatives in nearly
every every age-group category.
Girls and Women's report by Natasha Clowes:
U17
In the first race of the day, Kate Holt demonstrated a return to form,
finishing 4th on an extremely challenging course. Sammey Joe Daley Davies
finished a promising 93rd in her first year in this age group. On her
'debut' in a National Cross Country event Aimee Hargreaves finished a
respectable 119th, showing potential for the future.
U13
With the top team performance of the day the team of Jessica Heath, Natasha
Clowes, Lucy Holt and Tasha Stone finished the 9th team home. This promising
performace saw Lucy Holt finish 21st despite running over half the course
wearing just one shoe! Jessica Heath continued to make huge improvement
finishing 78th. Having her first experience of a National race Tasha Stone
placed 117th. She said " It was a tough course with hard hills, but
overall a good result from all the girls". Natasha Clowes 144th
continues to work hard, getting stronger with every race, and said "I'm
pleased with the team and individual results this year, everyone has run
very well and put in maximal effort this season."
U15
Running solo was Jade Heath. Making steady progress against tough opposition
she completed the course to complete the course in 275th position.
Senior women
Emma Jackson celebrated her fitness this season, getting better as the race
unfolded. She finished a creditable 40th. This was supported by the
unmistakeable efforts of Claire Booker, 152nd." I must have past 40
people on the hill", she was heard saying.
With no rain it was a great day for all. A terrific season that has brought
credit to everyone, camaraderie , team building and joy.
Thanks to fellow members and in particular to Alan Morris (The coach with
the big whistle).
Boys and Men:
U13
Liam Baddeley was our sole competitor this year but produced an excellent
performance of 79th position in a massive field of nearly 400 competitors.
U15
Kris Washington showed that the comeback kid really has returned with a
strong run in 138th place. Not far behind Kris, Korey Blanch-Hallet also ran
well and achieved the amazing feat of finishing in the same position as the
number on his vest - 148th!
U17
With Mike Harding suffering a knee injury mid-race, Joe Broome was our first
man home in 148th as he continues to show steady improvement this winter.
In 200th Alex Brecker has another year in this age-group and will be looking
for a big improvement next year even though he says he doesn't like cross
country!
U20
Liam Hendricken should not be disappointed as he finished his first national
in this age-group in 135th after only finishing 172nd last year in the U17s
- a big improvement for someone at the bottom of this age-group.
Senior Men
We were disappointed not to get a team out after some success in the
Midlands Championships, but with myself suffering from injury and a number
of athletes unavailable having 4 guys finishing was actually a big
improvement on last years no show!
Seb Duffy confirmed his top billing in the Stoke men's squad this winter
with a fine placing just outside the top 100, which might have been even
better but for a mid race stitch. Not far behind Seb, the improving Tom
Gayle said he felt a bit below par in this race, but as ever finished
strongly in the top 150. Steve Cooper aka Mr AA professed himself well
satisfied after a 15miler marathon training run the day before, whilst Dave
Lee ran more steadily than usual after a bad cold during the week and will
certainly benefit from the experience of finishing in the top half of a
field of nearly 1400 runners.
Maria's video of the
senior men
John Danahay
Full
results
Photos
from Mick Hall and Flaming
Photography
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