Essex U17, U20 & Veterans Cross Country Champs, Claybury, Sat 2 December 2006

Georgie Sales' silver medal placing led a full strength Under 17 Women's team to gold in the first leg of the County Cross County Championships at a slippery Claybury on Saturday, and the Under 17 Men earned team silver.

The wet weather of the previous few days had left the difficult Claybury course even more treacherous than ever and despite dry weather on the day several athletes lost their footing and finished on the floor.

Georgie Sales made no mistake however in Under 17 Women's race and as Chelmsford's Laura Condron built up a winning lead Georgie forced her way into second place on the first lap and then held off all challenges to finish with the silver medal in 17:37. With two other athletes in the top 10, Jade Edwards (6th - 18:14) Christina Holland (9th - 18:34) and our fourth athlete, Alex Beard in 12th (19:21), the team won by the comfortable margin of 16 points. Ingrid Deane (16th - 20:44)) and Felicity Scott (18th - 23:57) ran well to complete the winning six athlete team.

There was team silver for the Under 17 Men with Rob Jones ran well to lead home the squad in fifth (20:46), with Matt Bloy one place and 10 seconds back in sixth, Daniel Winters ninth (21:07) and Michael Donavan in 17th (22:30). Colchester and Tendring won by 17 points, with all their scoring four in the top eight,  but the winning margin would have been reduced had Grant Twist not missed the event through ill health and as Michael Donavan was a little down on recent results due to a knee injury. Steve McLachlan continued his return from long-term injury with an encouraging 25th.

The club were only able to muster three athletes for the Veteran Women's race. Denise Harris looked strong and finished well in 11th place (36:20), followed shortly after by Lesley Felton, still recovering from a cold (30th - 40:16) and Linda Smith in 52nd place (42:43) to complete our finishers.

Five club Veteran Men took part in the separate races for those aged 40+ and 50+. Gary Howard (70th) led home Pat Gahagan & Kevin White in the "younger" category and Robert Winston (49th) and evergreen Dave Holland ran gamely in the over 50s race.

 

Photo courtesy of Lesley Richardson.  More Photographs from this event can be viewed at www.rikko2photo.co.uk

 

 

See more photos below from Kevin White

HMAC Results   Full Results (pdf)

Under 17 Women: 2nd - Georgie Sales 17:37; 6th - Jade Edwards 18:14; 9th - Christina Holland 18:34; 12th - Alex Beard 19:21 Team 1st - 29 points.   16th - Ingrid Deane 20:44; 18th - Felicity Scott 23:57
Veteran Women: 11th - Denise Harris 36:20; 30th - Lesley Felton 40:16; 52nd - Linda Smith 42:43. 
Under 17 Men: 5th - Robert Jones 20:46; 6th - Matt Bloy 20:56; 9th - Daniel Winters 21:07; 17th - Michael Donovan 22:30  Team 2nd - 38 points.  25th - Steve McLachlan 24:32
Veteran Men (40-49): 70th- Gary Howard 45:16; 74th - Pat Gahagan 46:58; 76th - Kevin White 49:14 (Team 13th)
Veteran Men (50+): 49th - Roger Winston 38:59; 70th - Dave Holland (M60) 50:35

Full Results (pdf)  

Photos below: Kevin White

Photos below: Kevin White