Isobel Glaisher had a great run for 5th place at the National Cross Country Championships on Saturday (Feb 22nd) at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. She was joined by another dozen of the Harriers who stepped up to the mark to compete in these prestigious National Championships.
Isobel picked up where she left off having won the South West XC Championships at Killerton in early January, and then finishing 3rd at the Southern XC Championships at Parliament Hill at the end of January. There were other top 20 finishes by Matthew Dickinson (u20 men) and Oliver Fox (u17 men) whilst the u20men's team can be proud of having finished 9th team in all England. Clive Thomas was team managing for the Harriers and reports on the day:
The National was a lovely day, bright and sunny, and conditions under foot were generally good although there was some very wet areas to contend with.The best performance of the day by a Harrier was undoubtedly Izzy Glaisher's run in the u17 women's race. This was probably her best run to date finishing 5th in a quality field where last year's champion Annabel Mason could only finish 7th. The first three, Lydia Turner, Bobby Clay and Harriet Knowles-Jones (who all ran for team GB in the u20 team at the Europeans) broke away early on, leaving Izzy to battle it out with the chasing pack of about 6 or 7 runners. She finished strongly taking several new scalps of girls that she hasn't beaten previously.
Oliver Fox had a slightly disappointing run (for him) to finish 20th in the corresponding boys event. In the u20's Emily Smith consolidated her 13th place in the Southern by finishing 26th whilst the u20 boys team finished 9th being lead home by Matthew Dickenson 19th, Keiran Young 54th, Harry Lane 81st and Phillip Bridge 135th. Matthew, Keiran and Phillip have another two years to compete in this age group.
Amongst the other junior results, Michael Biss was 199th in the u15 boys, whilst younger brother George Biss was 372nd, with Luke Baker 220th in the u13 boys age group. Charlotte Baker was 99th in the u17 womens race.
In the Senior Men only Nathan Young 154th and Neil Biss 766th competed for the Harriers in a near record field of 1600+.
There were a few senior Harriers missing this year including our former twice national Champion Frank Tickner who is competing in next weeks Bath Half Marathon hoping to run a qualifying time for the World Half Marathon Championships (target sub 64min).
Well done to all those that competed for the Club at Wollaton Park. The Cluib has sponsored all the Harriers that competed at these Championships. The next Club fixture for juniors and seniors is this coming Saturday (March 1st) at Blaise Castle, Bristol with full details now available on the Gwent League website (see link from calendar). Senior men should note that their race starts at the earlier time of 12.05pm and all Harriers are reminded to let their team manager know in advance of the race if they are competing so that the entry form can be correctly filled in.(Contact details on the usual tab 'About Wells City Harriers'). Note that parking is always tight at Blaise Castle - please try and be there an hour before your race.