National Cross Country Championships, Parliament Hill, Sat 25 February 2006
| There were no medals but some fine results from those club athletes who braved the cold and windy conditions at Saturday's National Cross Country Championships held at the notoriously challenging Parliament Hill course which was made even tougher by the muddy conditions underfoot. | |
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The Under 13 boys were again led brilliantly by Michael Jones who turned in another star performance to place sixth in 12:05, with Jamie Buckley Stanton having a great race in 29th in 12:38, while Liam Bush (151st - 13:44) and Chris Sullivan (157th - 13:50) brought the team home in 10th. Jonathan Seekings (160th - 13:51) and Jack Waldron (235th - 14:27) also provided support. The Under 13 Girls ran exceptionally well to finish as the highest placed of the club's teams in sixth. They were ably led by Eleanor Bounds was first home in 32nd (13:52), Sidnie Sales a fine 52nd (14:10), Rebecca O'Neill 94th (14:34) with Shannon Sullivan completing the scoring four in 150th (14:00). Good support came from Alex Edwards (233rd 15:45)), Nicola Peachey (290th - 16:30) and Jessica Seekings (336th - 17:28). There was disappointment as the illness & injury affected Under 15 Boys finished 14th. Any medal hopes had disappeared when Steve Maclachlan withdrew with a knee injury and a higher team position slipped away when the unlucky Daniel Winters tripped and fell badly on the course and was unable to continue. In their absence the improving Simon Brown led the remaining club contingent home in 55th (19:07), followed by Matt Bloy 85th (19:27), and Daniel Shanney (126th - 20:03) and Grant Twist (148th - 20:19) completed the scoring foursome. Back up came from Thomas Shanney (164th - 20:32), John Whitehead (217th - 21:19) and Lenny Swain (258th - 22:09). There were disappointingly poor turn outs in the other age categories. Georgie Sales was a brilliant 17th in 18:57 for the incomplete Under 15 Girls squad with Jennifer Holland the only other club runner 104th (20:55). Jade Edwards was the only club Under 17 Woman in a creditable 48th (22:49), while Robyn Matson (22:48) was similarly 48th placed in the Under 20 Women with Hayley Stibbs 63rd (23:57). David Nefs returned from injury to place 173rd in the U20 men competition (47:50). Another duo Robert Jones (127th - 25:15)) and Bradley Tungatt (149th - 25:43) flew the flag for the Under 17 Men, Linda Smith (364th) and Ellie Mole (406th) were the only Senior Women. The double-figure turn outs shown by the Senior Men in earlier fixtures did not materialise when faced by the 12km National Event. Just two toed the line as Tony Collins was first home in 545th (51:38) while Rob Warner hung on gamely for 555th (51:44) after being placed in the top 250 after the first lap before suffering a stomach injury that resulted in a hospital stay which will bring his winter season to a premature end. |
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