Great results From Race 2 of the Essex XC League.

The second of the Essex cross country fixtures held at Basildon's Gloucester Park saw Chelmsford win three of the age categories. First of these was to be the under 13 girls as they were led home by Isla Kehoe with her second place. Beatrix Cooke was not far behind in sixth place and then Jessica Hobson 12th and Zenobia Williams 15th brought a total score of 35 points  - just three ahead of S S Atthletics with Brentwood a further three down.

The under 17 women saw a very easy victory for with only three scoring at this age level our trio were all in the first four finishers, Daisy Stollery won the event with a time 75 seconds ahead of the field. Jessica Walker placed third and Emma Cox fourth whilst Katie Cox was close by in reserve with a ninth place. Although far from full strength the senior men took their second win and look well set to take the second division title. Joseph Grange (under 20) led them home with a second place Callum Charleston in Chelmsford colours finished 3rd alas didn’t score as he’s a 2nd claim athlete with Tom Rehal sixth. Veteran Nick Hunter was next through in 78th spot with Thomas Murphy 81st, Peter Tullett 150th, Paul Grange 152nd, Marcus Hunt 162nd and Mick Bridgeland 206th from the finishers of 267 competitors.

The senior women this time round had to take second spot behind Havering, Rebecca Luxton, third, and again the leading veteran, had support from Rachel Broome 10th with Lucy Nuttall 19th and Sophie McCall 24th both under 20`s completing the scorers. There were other scorers however for Chelmsford were to take the veterans win as they had Wendy King 27th, Laura Durn 31st and Anna Nuttall 36th from the 139 finishers.

There was another good run by Mason Sanford as he won the under 13 boys race well clear of the field. With Jake Boarer 10th, Daniel Smith 27th and James Pollard 27th it was to be a third spot finish for the team. In other categories a full scoring squad was not available ,In the under 15 girls Francesca Phillips did well to finish second with Izzy Eida 4th and Stephanie Smith 13th. For the under 15 boys Daniel Pollard 15th Oscar Stollery 23rd and Khaya Fakazi 33rd lacked that vital fourth member whilst in the under 17 men only Austin Kelly finishing 8th represented Chelmsford.

Although not part of the league the under 11 year races receive  good support and it is pleasing to see Chelmsford well represented. In the boys Dylan Law took first place with Freddie Blacketer 3rd, Harris Fuller 7th, Arthur Cooke 12th, Toby Hatt 15th and Henry Ball 24th whilst the girls saw Leila Robinson again finish second. Hannah Hogben 8th, Bailey Kehoe 13th and Olivia Bilby 16th were other finishers.

For the full gallery click here

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft.

CAC Athletes Feature Heavily in the UK top 30 Rankings.

With the summer track and field season done and dusted a look at the UK RANKING LISTS show our athletes have a good showing in the top thirty throughout the age groups. Power of 10 do not have a separate list for seniors showing it as `Overall` thus the over 17 and 20 age groups are included.

Congratulations go to Jeremy Andersen, Joshua Babalolo and Jorjia March on topping the charts whilst there are five second places and three thirds. A further 20 in the top `10` chart. There is recognition that Jorjia`s performances were prior to her joining us from Barnet and also that Etty Sisson 400m was in the colours of Charnwood but are included as we welcome them as members of CAC.                                         

Our Southern Belle's do CAC Proud.

SOUTHERN COUNTIES CROSS COUNTRY RELAYS.

Rumour has it that somebody is planning a `Fort Knox` in Chelmsford as their girls keep on winning gold medals.  Yes- pity it`s not the precious metal.

This time the under 15 team took the title having claimed the under 13 event last year on this same course in the shadows of Wormwood Scrubs prison. The win was taken with a margin of eight seconds over the Windsor Slough and Eton team with Erin Kelly starting things off with a third placing. Ezrah Harrold now brought the green and gold colours to the fore and from here there was to be  no catching Jorjia March as she put in the fastest time of the race. In a meeting of this standard what a performance from the B`team. Ava King on the opening circuit surprised onlookers  as she  led the field home with a time which was eventually to prove third best of the race. With this start Lily Sanford and Francesca Phillips went on to take the bronze  medals. Worth mention that Hetty Harrison and Amelie Shipton occupied fifth place for a `C` team but alas no third runner.

At under 17 age level medals were just missed out with their fourth place held throughout the event via Lottie Wilkin, Harriet Matthews and Sienna Shipton. Good showing also by Jessica Walker and Niamh Roberts but alas no third athlete to finish it off.

For the under 13`s Isla Kehoe on the opening stage came in third a position held by Orla Martin on lap two. Beatrix Cooke put in a respectable time to finish fifth.

Just seven days prior the under 13 boys lifted the Essex title, Here however only one athlete Mason Sanford turned out but what a run he came out with. Obviously it had to be the opening stage and here he came through with a time which could not be matched by any other during the three stages.

Despite winning the Essex titles a week earlier the under 15 and 17 boys had also opted out here.  

For the full gallery click here.  

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft.