Midland Cross Country Championships

Newbold Comyn, Leamington – Saturday 26th January 2008

B&R AC Runners Go Well Against Strong Opposition

Above: Ian Keyte makes a detour to pick up his chip – was his anxious look caused by the prospect of having to pay for the chip if it were lost? Alf Tupper would never have forgotten his chips before a race.

It was yet another eventful day for our athletes against some very good opposition from bigger Clubs.

In a field of 128, the Club’s U13 girls ran well to bring the team home in 18th place. Georgie Hartigan was 55th, Orianna Ball 76th, Caelyn Hirschman 103rd, Charlotte Tongue 116th despite a muddy fall at the infamous brook, and Sadie Beard 127th.

Only three Club runners in the U13 boys race, so no team ranking. But again there were good performances from Lawson Phipps-Jones (80th), Jim Morley (90th), and Jamie Scoltock (93rd) in a strong field of 123 runners.

Above: Sally Hogan sprints for the finish alongside a Cheltenham runner.

No team ranking either for the U15 girls. Sally Hogan however continues to improve and completed in 37th place with Thomasina Ball 65th out of 94 runners.

Above: Chris Warren led the way for B&R’s U15 boys.

Chris Warren, Harrison Howie and Jack Morley competed in the U15 boys’ race and finished 60th, 101st and 113rd  respectively in a field of 115 runners. Again there was no team ranking.

Above: Sean, Adam & Simon amongst the runners jostling  for position on the start line.

Despite being out of sorts, Sean Bowden still finished highly placed in 22nd (98 raced) and was closely followed by the in form Adam Peacock in 26th and the reliable Simon Lanckham 39th.

Above: Georgie Fleming on the first lap on her way to being 3rd scorer in the B&R women's team.

In the Senior ladies race, with 182 runners, Helen Russell (78th) was again first home for the Club in a good time. She was well supported by fast finishers Ann Stuart (100th) and Georgie Fleming (111th) who both picked up places late in race with Georgie sprinting past 5 runners over the final 50 meters. Jane Anderson completed in 124th place to bring the team home in a very respectable 17th from 28 completing teams.

Above: Dave Kesterton demonstrates how to clear the muddy ditch.

Above: Ian Keyte catching up with Richard Dando (1532).

Above: Kevin Lanckham shows the pain from his injury in the finishing straight.

Above: Mike Hanson has the Stratford runner worried on the hill up to the beacon.

The biggest field of the day, 379, completed in the Senior mens’ race. Dave Kesterton continued to show good form to be the Club’s first finisher in 54th. The improving Rich Lomas also went well to complete in 109th. The next three finishers were within a few seconds of each other - Ian Keyte after sorting out his timer chip problem in mid race was 141st, Rich Dando 147th with a good run, and  the unlucky Kevin Lanckham 150th bravely completing although suffering from a nasty achilles injury early in the race. Mike Hanson, with no shoe problems in this race, continues to improve and completed for the ‘A’ team in 170th position so that the team finished in an excellent 12th place from 41 teams.

Above: Phil Anderson has to wade through the mud (with captain Len’s wildebeest taunts ringing in his ears).

Above: Calvin Scoltock passing runners after giving them a good head start.

The ‘B’ team ended in a respectable 36th place despite problems for a number of our runners. Gavin Moorhead (197th) again ran steadily, but Jamie Dancyger (208th) who had been unwell during the previous week struggled on the second lap before recovering to finish strongly. Phil Anderson continued his reliable good form to complete in 226th spot with Phil Richardson (249th) just getting the nod on the line over Calvin Scoltock (250th) after the pair twice swapped places over the final 50 meters. Calvin though had started last in the race when he had to return to the team tent to put on his timer chip. As he then crossed the start line, the field had gone, leaving him some 150 meters behind the back markers. Nevertheless he ran brilliantly to make up 129 places. Ken Wood was the Club’s second runner to suffer a heavy fall at the brook which had become increasingly difficult to negotiate during the day. Muddied but not bowed, he completed in 361st spot to ensure the ‘B’ team’s good finishing position.

Above: Not content with a great team performance to win the senior men’s team event, Notts. A.C. athletes were determined to finish the muddiest on the day as shown by these two pictures.

Well done to all runners and supporters.

Len

31/01/08

Individual results:

Senior Ladies

Senior Men

Click for full senior womens team results

Click for full senior mens team results