There was some great running at the National Cross-country championships held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday February 25th. Frank Tickner was 4th for the senior men, with brother Ben in 11th; whilst Oliver Fox was 11th in the u15 boys race and Isobel Glaisher was best for the girls with 13th place in the u15 girls race.
Glorious sunshine greeted the huge fields of runners assembled from Clubs from across the country. This was the 125th running of the senior Championships and the English Cross Country Association can be proud to have so many runners out competing at these prestigious Championships.
Frank Tickner is no stranger to these Championships, having won the senior title twice before (see 'About The Club' for Harrier history) and he again went well for 4th place this year in 36.27 for the 12km course. Frank is currently leading in the national McCain Cross Challenge Series. Older brother Ben came to the race fresh from his recent South of England Championship victory and managed 11th place on the day. Ben's time was 37.04. Jon Gilling was home in 635th position , time of 47.01. There were 1688 finishers in the senior men's race. (other Harrier positions & times to follow - please let us know).
Oliver Fox had the best postion of any of the juniors with his 11th place, 15.25 for the 4.5km course, representing a good return and it'll be good to see how he goes at the forthcoming English Schools Championships. Luke Prior was a little down on where he can be due to his recovering from various bugs but his 180th place, 17.29, is a good marker. There was 366 finishers in this race. Both Oliver & Luke have competed on this course before as part of the Harriers team at previous years Southern Championships and that will have helped them
Isobel Glaisher's 13th place in the u15 girls race was a great run. Her time of 14.35 on the 4km course represents a nippy run and this course is also one that Isobel likes from previous years when she had a top ten finish in the Southerns here last year.
Oliver Dickinson was home in a solid 53rd place, 11.52, for the 3km u13 boys race. There were 373 finishers in this race so that represents a good return for Oliver. However, elder brother Matthew takes family bragging rights with his 49th place in the u17 men's race covering the 6km in 21.00, and just a few strides ahead of Shepton's Kieran Young (57th). In the u17 women's race Lilly Hawkins maintained her solid form of the season with 77th place in 21.40 for the 5km course. There were 196 finishers overall in this race , and Lilly wil be young enough to compete in the same group next year.
Finally, the Harriers had one senior woman competing this year and Katrina Prior didn't disappoint with her 290th place in 36.58 for the 8km course, out of 650 finishers.
WELL DONE ALL!
Please send in any more reports or photos to Paul
Next Harrier Team outing: GWENT XC LEAGUE on Saturday March 3rd at Blaise Castle, Bristol - note the revised timetable for race starts - see details at:http://www.gwent-league.org.uk/fixtures.htm
We are currently neck and neck with Cardiff AC for the Top Junior Club awards