TWO - YES TWO NATIONAL TEAM TITLES PLUS BRONZE MEDALS FOR A THIRD TEAM AND AN INDIVIDUAL SECOND. Quite an achievement in the National cross country championships staged in Weston Park, Shropshire - and perhaps worthy of a football type celebration with an open bus tour through the city centre !!!
These were in fact championships in respect of the season 2023 - 24 as the Park could not be used due to the saturation of the ground hence athletes competing at one age level in the EYAL final six days earlier back, for one competition only to the younger age group.
Our under 13 girls team had already claimed one National title when they won the road relay early in the season and now they were to pick up another set of `gold` medals. With Erin Kelly 10th, Ava King 11th, Lily Sanford 28th and Frankie Phillips 36th there total of 85 points put them well clear of the Warriors Club from Merseyside's 105 and Windsor Slough and Eton`s 153. From the field of 267 finishers Isla Kehoe placed 89th and Emma Pickering 106th.
To the under 13 boys, here we had two athletes on the start line Fred Ferman put in a sterling run to finish 26th unfortunately Oscar Stollery did not finish.
The under 15 girls race saw newcomer Jorjia March having a great run to finish 5th and there was sound packing from Ezrah Harrold 14th, Lottie Wilkin 17th and Daisy Stollery 22nd for a score of 58 points. To show the need for that solid packing Aldershot`s second place score was 68 with Eastbourne third with 101. Our other competitors were Hetty Harrison 62nd,Harriet Matthews 74th and Katie Cox 126th.
Our under 15 boys all put in fine performances with a third place in such a high standard meeting behind Tonbridge and Trafford. Our scoring quartet were Jacob Parrott 23rd, Austin Kelly 32nd, Joshua Eida 39th and Joseph Delaney 57th with Thomas Carter 78th and Ben Smith 148th completing the Chelmsford turnout.
Our under 17 men`s team had looked set for more team medals as Sam Plummer had put in a tremendous performance to take the individual silver medal and with Joseph Grainger 8th and Gregory Martin 23rd they were in a strong position but sadly there was no fourth member.
It was the same story with the under 17 women as Sienna Shipton placed 19th, Lucy Nuttall 32nd and Emma Cox 52nd.
To the Junior men and William Nuttall placed a very creditable 13th with Joseph Perry 28th whilst veteran Lee Martin was sole member out placing 221st in the senior men`s race.
For the full photo gallery click here.
Report written by Roy Meadowcroft
