There was an outstanding performance by the Harrier's Ben Tickner at the South of England Cross Country Championships held at Brighton on Saturday January 28th. In the final race of the day Ben won the Senior mens race with some great running, catching and overtaking the lead runner only in the final 200m of the 15km event. This capped a great day by the junior and senior Harriers that ventured to these prestigious Championships - for many taking part in their toughest races to date.
Full Results are available here
http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=55654
The best junior Harrier result of the day was by Oliver Fox who finished 7th here in the u15 boys race and that gave a great start to some excellent runs by all the Harriers on the day. That was some good running, and we should also mention his sister Harriet who was racing in the u13s and will be young enough to compete in this age group for another 2 years, as will Luke Baker who had a good run in the u13 boys. For many of the juniors this is the biggest event they have ever competed at - much bigger than the 50 or 60 that contest the age groups at the Gwent League, and in most races there were fields of 200 or more taking part - getting a good start is essential at this level.
The course at Stanmer Park was well and truly a great XC course - hills, woodland tracks, a bit of mud, and some great swooping descents. Located adjacent to the University of Sussex and the new Brighton FC Stadium it was a great setting for the thousands of competitors. Supporters had scope to see the athletes several times on the twisting courses.
Proceedings got underway with the u15 boys race and Oliver's time of 15.17 for the 4500m course was within 30 seconds of the winner. Sam Somerville in 34th (16.04) would have been pleased with his run too - as a Year 9 student he'll be competing in this age group again next year. Josh Boon was the third of the Harrier entrants and he ran well for 176th place in 18.39.
Next up was the u13 girls race over 3km and Lucy Baldwin ran an excellent race for 36th place in a time of 11.57. Harriet Fox was home in 182nd place in a time of 13.47. In the u13 boys race Oliver Dickinson finished in a great 32nd place in 11.04 for the 3000m course. Luke Baker was home in 128th in a 12.09. There were 192 finishers in this race.
Then came the u15 girls race where Luke's sister Charlotte Baker was 60th in 16.04 for the 4000m course. Abigail Gibbons was home in 152nd place in a time of 17.59.For the u17 mens race over 6000m, Matt Cole was 103rd in 23.43 with Sam Harding home in 146th place, bursting past 4 other competiors in the final 100m for a time of 25.46.
The u17 womens race over 5000m saw Rebecca Carver and Lilly Hawkins both run great races with both at the younger end of the age scale. Rebecca was home in 50th place in a time of 20.20, with Lilly just behind in 52nd in 20.25. There were 100 finishers in this race. Rebecca obviously didn't use all her energy up as she was out racing again the following day, Sunday, at her longest race ever (to date) when she competed at the Hestercombe Humdinger.
In the Senior women’s race at Brighton Anna Lewis returned to racing with a steady run to finish in 126th place and a time of 37.17. It was good to see the wrap round glasses in action again.
Then came the final event of the day held over 15km and the Harrier team had been decimated by withdrawals due to injury and illness but there was still 6 quality athletes out competing. Ben Tickner had been runner up last year, 2011, but this year managed to go one better when, after getting detached from the leading pack mid-way round the 2nd of the 4 laps he regained his focus and drive to reel them back in and closed on the leader, passing former Champion Phil Wicks in the final 200m to seize the Gold medal. Ben thus emulates his younger brother Frank who was not here this year but has won the Southerns previously. Ben’s time was 49.11 with Wicks finishing 4 seconds down at the end. Ben lives not too far away from the Park and had been runner up here at the Sussex County Championships just a few weeks before. He is beginning to show great steel and determination once again.
Next in for the Harrier men was Eliot Haimes in 187th place, 58.58 with Jon Gilling not far back in 242nd place, and 60.59. Then came one of the Club’s top V50 runners Nick Sommerville in 305th, 63.41, with Geoff Cole 527th, 71.28, and Rex Whitcombe closing well up in 589th place, 74.43. Paul Allen of Yeovil also had a great run - the only non-Harrier from Somerset present at this great event.
That was a great day out and as usual thanks to all for mucking in with the transport and tenting arrangements. Can all that were entered but didn't show make sure they pay their entry fees at training in the next week or so (£6 per entry).
Harriers and other athletes are reminded that the next Street 5k and junior races are next Wednesday February 8th, and the next Gwent XC League fixture is at Brecon on Saturday February 11th. The Club is currently well up the rankings in its efforts to be awarded top junior Club at the Gwent league so it would be great for all to make the big effort to go to that race.
Good luck to the 20 or so junior Harriers competing for their County Schools team this coming Saturday at Exeter. Send your photos in for the website.
PHOTOS FROM THE SOUTHERNS NOW on Gallery top right hand corner of website
.