Gwent League Race 4- Brecon 14^th Feb

From our racing correspondent

Brecon staged race 4 of the 5 match Gwent league and the Harriers crossed the bridge in force once again, and returned home with some excellent results.

It was a challenging and fast paced course with some short, sharp hills and under the setting of the snow topped Brecon Beacons. The weather was surprisingly pleasant considering the week’s exciting antics of snow and with little wind present; the scene was set for some exciting racing prospects for the Harriers.

With the Somerset Schools cancelled from the previous weekend, the juniors seemed eager for action. Races commenced at midday with the u11 novice boys’ race and the two Wells athletes involved excelled themselves. Luke Prior yet again ran a superlative race and came home with another top 3 finish for 2nd place. Team mate Danny Kennedy matched his great performance from Blaise with 8^th position. Commendations must be made to these two boys who have run in every fixture to date, with Luke in 2^nd overall and Danny 6^th, with one fixture remaining.

The u13 races once again underlined the magnificent strength and depth the cub possesses in the junior age groups.

A team of 4 set out for the u13 girls’ race, with two top ten finishes from Emily Smith and Jemma Jones finishing 2^nd and 8^th respectively. These were backed up with solid performances from Abi Gibbons in 19^th and Lydia Guest in 28^th. Jemma Jones currently lies in 2^nd place in the overall standings.

The u13 boys also put out a team of 4, with all inside the top 20 and packing 3 inside the top 10! Oliver Fox led the way and consolidated on previous 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd positions to finish 3^rd here to maintain his chance of overall success at the finale next month. Curtis Stevens and Matthew Cole finished just behind with a close fought 5^th and 6^th respectively. Matthew has also run in all fixtures thus far. James Todd also had a gutsy run but was suffering the effects of a knee injury sustained earlier in the week and withdrew just before the finish.

The u15 girls saw a good team effort result in Siobhian Stewart finishing a strong 13^th place. Kayley Kennedy, contributed an excellent 16th position, Jessica Potter closely followed in 18^th and Rosalie Dowding, making her debut in the competition, finished in 25^th.

The corresponding boys’ race followed and George Harris continued to improve in the series finishing in an excellent 6^th place. Harry Buckle produced his best performance yet in finishing 25^th. Harry was closely followed by Peter Byfield in 28^th. George is currently inside the top ten of the overall standings.

The u17 women’s race is run in combination with the u20 women. Subject to separation, Leighanna Chappell finished in the top ten overall in 8^th position. Despite fading towards the end, it was one of her best performances of the year. She was closely backed up by Lizzie Hart in 10^th and Alice Murray-Gourlay in 12^th. Leighanna Chappell remains in the top 5 of the u17 standings overall and Lizzie Hart inside the top 10.

The sole competitor in the u17 men’s event saw Alex Wiltshire finish an improving 10th place overall.

The senior women also had a sole competitor in the shape of Katerina Prior crossing the line in 45^th for her best finish position of the season

The senior men had a decent turn out with 6 athletes participating, including the much anticipated “battle of the minibus drivers” between Paul Chadwick and Geoff Cole. Geoff emerged as the victor in 127^th leaving Paul and his outrageous orange t-shirt trailing in his wake in 137^th. Andrew Deamer led the way for the senior men, finishing in 31st. He was followed by Nick Somerville and Ed Willingham inside the top 100 for 48^th and 93rd respectively. Simon Prior finished in 104^th and Dave Stanfield close behind in 114^th.

The senior men however are still heading the field in div 3 with one fixture remaining.

Team standings with 1 fixture to go:

Novice boys  leading in 1^st position; U13 boys   leading in 1^st position; U15 boys   4^th; U17 men 8^th; Senior men 8^th overall but 1^st in Div 3

U13 girls        leading in 1^st position; U15 girls    4^th; U17 women 2^nd; U20 women 5^th; Senior women 16^th, 5^th in Div 2

Well done to all participants as we look forward to the finale in Carmarthen on 14^th March.