Wells Harriers competed nationally last weekend with a contingent of seniors and juniors travelling to Cofton Park, Birmingham where the Inter-counties Cross Country Championships were held, the same venue incorporating the World XC championship trials.
The combined Avon and Somerset team included Wells Team GB top athlete Ben Tickner who had a difficult outing on the day in the senior men’s race with a below par performance finishing a disappointed 21st. Ben who was not feeling 100% throughout the race slogged on to the finish. Elliot Haines and Jon Rowe also raced in this high quality field finishing 172nd and 283rd respectfully, Jon representing Dorset.
Amongst the juniors were several strong performances with high finishes in the U15’s boys for Oliver Fox 33rd and Matt Dickenson 40th with U13’s boys Sam Somerville 21st, Luke Prior 87th and Jon Greenwood 273rd for Dorset.
In the U20’s women Lizzie Hart was the sole Wells lady with an excellent 47th place whilst in the U15’s girls Emily Smith outshone all of her south west rivals with a great result in 18th position.
Further results confirmations are awaited, which includes runs from Rebecca Carver and Abigail Gibbons.
Nearer to home the Bath Half Marathon was in full swing around the city centre, with over 10,000 runners taking part and many thousands of spectators lining the route, this high profile event now in its 30th year is traditionally a pre-cursor for those training for the London Marathon.
Whilst the Kenyans dominated the leader board (Kiptorir winning in exactly 64mins) Wells Harriers featured a number of entrants and a notable win for Jenny Moore who continues to out perform in the female V45 category. Jenny ran to clock 1:23:54 placing her 21st overall female and 229th. Another veteran Nick Somerville was the highest placed Harrier with a creditable 1:18:45 and was 5th V50.
Others competing included Jason Tuck 1:32, Alice Knight 1:53 and Martin Bailey.
Harriers are reminded that this weekend sees the final Gwent League X Country taking place at Singleton Park in Swansea, the pressures on the senior men’s team to continue to lead the division 1, so strong team turnout will help to cement the championship.