The sharp frost with the prospect of snow greeted the runners to Birmingham's Cofton Park for the English National Cross Country Championships on Saturday. The conditions underfoot where relatively dry and with a downhill start made for very fast races. 

 

After their victory in the recent South of England /Champs our Under 15 boys hoped to do well and they did not disappoint. Led once again by Matt Watkins in a tremendous 18th the team finished a fantastic third, as Leeds City took the team honours and Westbury Harriers placed second. Matt was ably backed up by Chris McLachlan, improving on his South of England run with a brilliant 43rd, for once getting the better of brother Steve who was close behind in 55th, with the team being closed by Matt Bloy who hung on to 60th despite suffering breathing problems. The team where superbly backed up by Grant Twist and Daniel Winters both returning to form after illness in 69th and 132nd.

The Under 17 Women also fielded their medal winning quartet from the South of England Champs and they again performed with credit on the national stage.  Katie Richardson ran superbly to place eighth and with another year in the age group is sure to challenge for an individual medal next year. Megan Foley made the top 20 in 18th, while Robyn Matson's 47th and Vicky Smith in 132nd ensured the team placed an excellent fourth.

Debbie Appleton put her experience to good use as she finished twelfth in the senior women's event held over an 8km course.  Lesley Felton was 270th in a field of over 450.

Ingrid Deane showed improved form to finish 54th in the Under 15 Girls' to beat several Essex rivals in the process. With Clare Robinson 78th, Jade Edwards 101st and Georgie Sales in 139th there was a good team performance in 13th. Rachel Newman was 184th.

The inexperienced Under 13 Boys packed well and finished a very creditable 17th team and in a hotly contested race. Once again led home well by twins Daniel and Thomas Shanney in 111th and 127th respectively, followed closely by Luke Jones and John Whitehead in 138th and 156th respectively. Excellent positions in a tough race.

A young and equally inexperienced Under 13 Girls team also placed 17th.  Emma Fox did well to place 68th, with Sidnie Sales (99th) also inside the top 100. Great performances from 11-year-olds Emma McAuliffe (135th) and Eleanor Bounds (168th) finished in the top half of the field to complete the scoring four, and Alex Edwards and Georgia Davies also performed well.

Over 1500 toed the line for the 12km senior men's race but just three from HMAC with Rob Warner bringing the team home in 451^st  place followed by Neill Collins with his best National result in 549^th  followed by brother Tony in 614^th .