Last of the XC races –March 24th

There were some good performances at what was virtually the last of the Cross country races this past weekend. The English Schools XC Championships held at Leeds saw the best of the country’s juniors come together on behalf of their County schools teams. Almost 10 Harriers were on the start line for the various Somerset teams.

Best performance of the day from a Somerset athlete was without doubt by Harrier Charlie MacLean in the Inter Boys following up his impressive Wessex League results with a 10^th place here in 18.28. Charlie’s performance was good enough for him to be named as a reserve in the England team for the Home Countries International in Dublin next week. Best for the girls was by Laura Parker who finished in 25^th place for the senior girls in a time of 19.10. Laura’s performance contributed to the County’s best team performance of the day with a 6th place out of all the Counties.

In the junior boys George Harris was 84^th and second counter for the Somerset team at that age group. Joining Charlie in the Inter boys team was Alex Wiltshire, 43^rd, and Ben Venus in 221^st place. In the junior girls race Lizzie Hart ran well for 223^rd and Christie Jones was 274^th. In the Inter Girls race Justine Bowers ran hard for 122^nd and Leighanna Chappell was a solid 166^th.

Meanwhile at the British Masters XC Championships at Mansfield, the Harriers had three of their runners out and came away with some good results. Les Lock excelled in the men’s race winning the silver medal for V55 age group with a great run of 30.16 for the 8km course. He finished in 91^st place overall in a well contested race.

Karen Buckley finished in 11^th place overall amongst the women in a time of 23.43, and former Club treasurer Tracey Halliday was 46^th overall in 27.24, finishing in 13place for the F40 category