London Cross Country Championships, Parliament Hill, 22 November 2008  

Despite lacking in numbers due to illness and injury there were excellent performances as four young athletes teams brought back medals from this week's London Championships at the ever-challenging Parliament Hill course, Hampstead.

Three silver medals were earned by both the U17 teams, and the Under 13 boys.

With only three rather than the usual four athletes scoring in each event it was important that all athletes ran well in the three-strong under 17 women’s squad.  They did just that as Zoey Littlechild (8th) and Jennifer Holland (9th) came inside the top 10 through sheer hard work on the muddy undulating course and the determination of Michelle Lovell in one of her best races in 15th place secured the silver medal.

The under 17 men’ matched the girls' achievements. Daniel Shanney (7th) and Callum Sutton (8th) both made the top 10, and Jamie Buckley-Stanton (17th) won the battle with Joseph Waked (18th) to complete the scoring three. Dean Leftley was 22nd.

The Under 13 Boys added the third silver, thanks to good runs from Nick Shade (6th), Freddie Keefe (7th)
and Nick Duffy completing the scoring trio in 15th. They only lost team gold on countback, after tying on points with Highgate. The B team of Finbar Smythe (23rd), Sean Wilson (31st) and Andrew Holland (40th) were sixth.

The Under 15 Boys come home with bronze medals thanks to Adam Edwards (7th), Ryan O'Mahoney (14th) and Thomas Davis (17th) while the B team of Josh Connors (18th), Massi Dendani (26th) and
Ross Earney (28th) placed seventh. Matthew Lattimer (32nd) and Ben Thompson (34th) also ran.

With both under 13 girls athletes running at the difficult Parliament Hill course for the first time and without an all important third scorer there was no hope of a medal. Lydia Hallam ran well for a top 10 place in 10th with good support from Rosie Brett (16th).

There were also just two club starters in the under 15 girls event. Amanda Blaxland ran really well to finish in 12th place but Sharmila Golan was injured on the first lap and was unable to finish.

In the senior women’s event there were also two club competitors. Debbie Appleton also achieved top 10 status with a strong run to finish 10th, and third veteran finisher, with Katie Richardson as an under 20 in the senior race coming 63rd (and fourth U20) 

Hopefully these good results will put club teams in good stead for the third round of the Essex League at Hylands Park next week.

Links to Full Results: Seniors  Young athletes

 

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Under 13 Girls: 10th - Lydia Hallam 12:19; 16th -Rosie Brett 13:01

Under 15 Girls: 12th - Amanda Blaxland 18:01

Under 17 Girls/ under 20 women:   8th - Zoey Littlechild 20:36; 9th -  Jennifer Holland 21:11; 15th - Michelle Lovell 24:20 (Team 2nd - 32 pts)  

Senior Women: 10th - Debbie Appleton 21:38;  63rd - Katie Richardson (U20) 24:52

Under 13 Boys:  6th - Nick Shade 10:26; 7th - Freddie Keefe 10:28; 15th - Nick Duffey 11:04; (Team 2nd - 28 pts)  23rd - Finbar Smythe 11:39; 31st - Sean Wilson 11:50; 40th - Andrew Holland 12:56

Team: 1. Highgate Harriers 28; 2.  HMAC - 28; 3. Harrow 33

Under 15 Boys: - 7th - Adam Edwards 15:14; 14th - Ryan O'Mahoney 16:01; 17th -Thomas Davis 16:28;  (Team 3rd - 43 points)  18th - Josh Connors 16:30;  26th - Massi Dendani 17:32; 28th - Ross Earney 17:49; (Team 7th - 80 points) 34th -Ben Thompson 20:29.

Team: 1. Mansfield 24; 2. Herne Hill 39;  3.HMAC - 43

Under 17 Boys:  7th - Daniel Shanney 16:54; 8th - Callum Sutton 17:12; 17th - Jamie Buckley-Stanton 18:18; (Team 2nd - 32 pts) 18th -  Joseph Waked 18:41; 

Team: 1. Shaftesbury Barnet 25; 2. HMAC - 32; 3. Orion 56

Links to Full Results: Seniors  Young athletes