Wells City Harriers had over 40 competitors out competing at two major events on Sunday. There were 34 Harriers taking part in the Club’s team effort at the Gwent cross-country League at Bridgend, whilst another 8 contested the latest version of the Mendip Muddle.
Top billing at the Gwent League goes to one of our juniors, Luke Baker, who ran a great race for 2nd place in a hotly contested race; whilst Oliver Dickinson and Sam Sommerville were 3rd in their respective u13 and u15 boy’s races. Best for the girls on the day was the 13th place by Charlotte Baker; whilst the senior men’s team was led home by Adrian Marriott in 9th.
The first fixture in the Gwent XC League season is always a mixture of anticipation and nerves. This year the trip across the Severn Bridge in the Minibus and an assortment of cars saw us head into the drizzle and grey of Wales away from the slightly lighter skies of Somerset. This was in stark contrast to the previous two trips here where warm sunny weather had welcomed us. Anyway – better running conditions if anything.
Proceedings got underway with the novice races for School Year 5s & 6s and with over 50 in each race these were big quality fields assembled mainly from the valleys and coastal strip of South Wales. Luke Baker continues to show the form that means he is ‘one to watch’ for the future and paced his run really well to sweep into 2nd place well clear of the 3rd place runner. His target at the next fixture will be the lad in front of him. Chris Ellis also had a storming run for 7th here which if he continues in this vein will surely again see him secure a Series prize over the 5 races.
In the novice girls race we had one representative who coped well with being some 2 years younger than many, and with footwear that will need to grow some studs by next time (!). Step forward Megan Dickinson who has been out training on the hills with her older brothers and thus was clearly not daunted by such a race. Megan finished in 38th place.
In the u13 age group we had a trio in the boys’ race and a duo in the girls’ race and all should feel pleased with their runs. Harriet Fox has just turned 11 and whilst eligible for the novice’s race chose to contest the tougher u13 race, giving away 2 years to many of her fellow competitors. She ran a well judged race, working with team-mate Amy Darcy for a large part of the proceedings before putting in an excellent finishing surge to take her to 27th overall. Amy came in just behind in 33rd. Two solid performances to build upon for the season ahead.
In the u13 boys race the three boys struck virtually all the threes – finishing in 3rd, 13th and 33rd. Oliver Dickinson has come a long way in a short period of time training with the Harriers and his 3rd place here is probably one of his best races in his short racing career. James Bridge who has been excelling on the track over the summer and brought his 800m personal best way down was 13th. Johnny Ellis ran a great race for 33rd – sticking to task and taking on the field to finish in mid-field.
In the u15s age group we had anther 5 juniors split across the boys and girls races. For the girls Charlotte Baker and Abigail Gibbons who have been running some of the Yeovilton 5k races this year in consistent 20 minute times, and occasionally going quicker, were 13th and 16th here. Next in was Annabel Arnold in 21st, making a return to competitive racing for us after injuries this past year curtailed her racing. Sam Sommerville was too quick with his 3rd place finish for the reporter to observe his form but the position against lads who may be at least a year older augurs well for the season ahead. Luke Prior also achieved a top ten finish and will no doubt build on this as the season wears on.
In the u17 women’s race Lilly Hawkins continues to get stronger with every race after a good season running 3000m on the track. Here she finished in16th place in the combined u20s/u17s race, with great back up by team-mate Rebecca Carver in 27th place. The u17 men’s race saw our best turn out amongst the juniors with Matt Dickinson finishing in 19th, Philip Bridge 33rd, Sam Harding 43rd and Matt Cole 46th in the combined u20s/u17s race. George Harris in the same race, but the higher age group, was a solid 17th. When the results are out we can check to see what positions they finished in their actual age group.
Amongst the seniors we had two women out looking to try and safeguard our Division One status. Both Katrina Prior & Sam Baker had raced the week before in the heat of the Burnham Half marathon and went well again here with Katrina in 42nd and Sam finishing in 85th place in the large field of 180 women. All senior Harrier women are invited to come and give cross-country a try at the next match at the University of Bath and see if they can help safeguard the women's teams prestigious position in Div 1.
For the men, team manager Jon Gilling had ensured a large turn out as we look to defend our Division One title of last year. Here Adrian Marriott drove across from London to ensure a top ten individual finish in a race with some great running at the sharp end of the 320 strong field. Jack Bancroft was next in 54th, Jon Gilling 80th, Steve Masters once again competing at cross-country was 103rd, Pete Darton 124h, Simon Prior 143rd, Graham Goldsmid 192nd, Rex Whitcombe, 235th, Geoff Cole, 242nd, Paul Chadwick 252nd, Pete Wright 271st and Adrian Bridge 280th.The men finished in 7th place out of the 12 Div 1 teams and so will have to work hard in the remaining 4 fixtures.
NEXT XC FIXTURE; November 13th at University of Bath
Full results (when published) here http://www.gwent-league.org.uk/2011/res111.htm
Meanwhile, at the Mendip Muddle over the 20km distance, with 1500 feet of climb, starting and finishing near Charterhouse there was a great collection of runners giving their all. The Harrier contingent was led home by Ian Biggs in a great 1.41 for 18th place with Chris Kelsey not far behind in 1.44. Clare Prosser was 85th (6th female) in 1.53 with Laurie & Aiden Phippard in 101st and 102nd positions respectively just a few minutes behind. Webmaster Bob Powell was round in 2.06, then came Nick Edawrds 2.24 and Jenny Adams in 2.59. That's some good running.
HARRIERS Are reminded to support the Cranmore Chase race this coming Sunday 16th. See Events & Results.