Gloucestershire XC League 10/12/22
12 December 2022
Gloucestershire Cross Country League 10/12/22
Freezing cold, icy conditions didn’t stop a strong Harriers contingent at the second round of the Gloucestershire Cross Country League, taking place in a new picturesque venue. The conditions made the course tough on the ankles but those who braved the cold earned the club 6 team wins and 2 individual wins.
As always the day began with the youngest athletes, the U11s and Kimberley Hodgkinson got the club off to a flying start taking 1st in the U11 girls race, improving on her first round finish of 4th place. Ivy Wightman finished as runner up and the team was completed by Elena Williams in 7th, securing them the team win. Eliza Nolan ran well to finish in 13th.
Monty Wilkins led the U11 boys home in 8th place, Sam Unsworth and Charlie Boughton finished in 13th and 20th respectively meaning the A team took 2nd. The B team finished close behind with Alexander Peacock finishing 21st, Sebastian Piff 24th and Lucas Oliveria 27th, taking 6th team. Finn Lees and Zachary Cherry completed the Harriers in 31st and 32nd.
The U13 team got off to a dream start to the season at fixture one filling the 1st five spots and so had a lot to live up to this time around. Unphased by the pressure the trio of Patrick Paul, Teddy Purr and Jack Pennell were able to repeat their performances with an impressive 1-2-3, making them the clear team winners once again. Lucas Baker improved massively on his first fixture performance making the top twenty this time around in 18th. The U13 girls also took 1st team with an inspired performance from Evie Avery to take 1st place overall. Olivia Avery was just a few seconds back in 2nd place, meaning the duo currently are tied for 1st in the overall league standings. Martha Marsden completed the winning team in 9th.
After two outstanding performances last week at the English Schools Cross Country Cup, Dom Martin and Sam Wilson returned for another close battle. Martin ran well to take 2nd with Wilson finishing in 5th. A strong run from Tom Wightman saw him finish in 6th for the second fixture in a row and ensured the A team took 1st once again. Edward Atkins, Lucas West and Harry Knight finished in 13th, 14th and 16th meaning the B team took 2nd.
Maddie Thomson led the U15 girls home once again in 2nd place with Jessica Sheppard in 4th and Amelie Paul taking 7th for a convincing A team victory. The B team finished in 3rd with Harriet Smith finishing 8th, Rosie Reynolds finished 10th and Kate Mills taking 13th.
In the senior men's race Max Kelly made a big improvement on his first round performance finishing in 22nd overall and 14th SM. Similarly Tom Evetts took 40 places off his first round finish position crossing the line in 38th place. Harrison Miles ran well to finish in the top 50 in 49th. It was good to see Martin Foster back running after injury hampered his Birmingham League race the previous weekend, Foster finished as 7th M45 and 73rd overall. Dan Minors took 6th M50 in 83rd and Darren Dempsey completed the scoring team in 91st and 12th M40. David Whitfield was next home as 7th M50 in 95th, with Matt Evans just behind in 97th. Steve Bradley finished as 9th M50 while James Wilkinson was 21st M40. The team finished in 8th place with the Masters team taking 6th.
(Photo: Senior men’s race gets underway)
The U17 boys, U17 girls, U20 women, senior women and M65+ men all raced together meaning competition can be tough for those younger athletes. Kiya Dee was the leading Harrier once again finishing as 4th female and 2nd U20. Ella Burfitt ran well to finish just behind as 5th female and 3rd SL. The A team was completed by Jo Wilkie as 5th F40 and 31st female with the team taking 5th place. Isobel Watt took 1st U17 once again in 51st overall and led the Harriers clean sweep in the age group with Milly Foster taking 2nd and Isobel Burfitt 3rd, meaning the U17 team took victory. Sarah Sheppard made a return to racing as 7th F40 in 53rd overall. M65 runner Michael Ede took 2nd in his age category in 55th overall and Nicola Whiteman finished in 57th and 8th F40. Alison Garton finished in 63rd overall meaning the women's B team finished as 3rd B team. Strong runs from Clare Hawling as 2nd F60 in 71st, Angela Pippard as 7th F45 in 79th and Jodie Hatton-Belliard in 100th meant the C team were also 3rd C team.
(Photo: Kiya Dee leading the Harrier women)