WEST YORKSHIRE ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY RACE 1 – 18 OCTOBER 2015 – THORNES PARK WAKEFIELD
Winning Team: Claire Green, Suzie Sharman, Alex Bell, Rachel Pilling, & Sian Driscoll
The West Yorkshire XC league made a grim and drizzly start at Thornes Park in Wakey. As is often the case the first race was the same weekend as the fell relays. We knew Alex was on top form and had a good chance of a win. We also had a new uni recruit – another speedy 800m runner Sian. As for the rest of us carrying fell relay fatigue and recovering from injuries, it is fair to say that we were lacking enthusiasm and energy. The plan was damage limitation – at least we have a team out, we’ll do better at the other 3 races.
The usual nonsense got us back into the swing of things on the start line, “toes behind the line ladies”, “stop gossiping and listen”, then the gun fired and we were off. Our track stars went off like whippets while the rest of us made more modest starts. The hill somehow seemed smaller than I remember and lap by lap proved to be the key to gaining ground for all of us. Claire quickly found her racing mojo and was closing in on Sian. Alex was out front with the Leeds City girls, while me and Suzy picked our way through the field steadily. The chaps were out at key points on the course shouting nuggets of encouragement.
On the final lap Alex rocketed up the hill and left the Leeds City girls behind to take the win. Sian finished strong right behind Claire which meant we had 3 runners in the top 10. As I finished I was told straight away we were 1st team.
An awesome run by all the ladies and we look forward to having even more runners out for race 2 at Huddersfield where we will be aiming for gold again!”
-Rachel Pilling
Ladies Results: Alex Bell 1st 20:40. Claire Green 7th 22:17. Sian Driscoll 8th 22:32. Rachel Pilling 22nd 24:01. Suzi Sharman 35th 24:38. —– 1ST LADIES TEAM
SENIOR MENS RESULTS
Matt Grieve and Josh Norman with just 1 second between them at the finish. (Photo c/o Woodentops)
Some impressive results from the men’s team also, Josh Norman taking 2nd overall, with Matt Grieve just 1 second between him for 3rd. A strong run from Matt Hobbs landed him in 12th and the rest of the team followed, consisting of Neil Armitage, Niall Bourke, and Ryan Noon.
Men’s Results: Josh Norman 2nd 33:12. Matthew Grieve 3rd 33:13. Matthew Hobbs 12th 34:39. Neil Armitage 42nd 37:35. Niall Bourke 70th 39:16. Ryan Noon 121st 44:08. —– 6th MEN’S TEAM
JUNIORS RESULTS
Great to see our juniors out working hard (Photo c/o Woodentops)
Well done to our Juniors attending the first West Yorkshire Cross Country League race on 18th October 2015. In age group order, these were Amber Sekhon, Maya Sekhon, Natasha Robinson, Georgia, Josh McCartney, Thomas Smith, Kiernan Kennedy, Lucas Mills, Erin Hinchliffe and Zack Walker. It was a dry day until Zack’s race but all finished and represented their club well.
Junior Results:
U17 Men: Zack Walker 27th 24:51.
U13 Girls: Erin Hinchcliffe 71st 15:54 .
U13 Boys: Lucas Mills 60th 13:55. Kieran Kennedy 67th 14:44.
U11 Girls: Georgia Fennell 36th 06:37. Natasha Robinson 45th 07:04. Maya Sekhon 62nd 07:56. Amber Skhon 65th 09:43.
U11 boys: Thomas Smith 45th 06:29. Josh McCartney 64th 07:25.
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