Alice Bates spearheaded some fine performances from the Harriers with a magnificent run in the Senior Girls to finish in 14th place and recorded the highest placing for the Northants team on the day. The English Schools Championship held in Kent on an seasonably warm day for cross country is the most prestigious race of the season, and the competition an exceptionally high standard in all age groups, and with the course exceptionally flat, and the ground firm this let to some fast racing on the day.
Bates ran a terrific race and recorded her highest ever placing in a XC National Championship to cap a fine winter. Getting a quick start was essential with a sharp left turn 130m from the start causing a bottle neck for those not smart off the line. Bates was in poll position in the pen got a great start to cement herself in the leading group, a position she maintained throughout the race powering her way to a brilliant 14th place over the 4395m course in 14:47 Also competing in the SG was Abigail Thayanithy who ran a superb race to finish in 161st place (16:58) to score in 4th place for the team, with Toni Robinson 6th and final scorer in 275th place & Julia Buzuk in 277th place both making their debut at English Schools. Demi Locker competing for Leicestershire fell victim to a virus the day before and was a little off her best to finish in 166th place.
Alice Bates best performance on the day for the Northants Team with a 14th place finish
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The Junior Girls races produced some of the best results on the day, with all the girls making their first appearance in the championship. Cambridgeshire’s Jemima Davey was the second highest placing on the day for the Harriers, finishing in a splendid 44th place over the short 3190m course in 13:11 as a bottom year athlete. For Team Northants Maggie Gancheva put in a great performance to finish top scorer in 132nd in 13:52, with Evie Brooker running a fine race to finish in 226th as 6th and final scorer in 14:25, and Iona Elwood in 237th in 14:31 & Camille Chassaigne in 295th (14:59) both running well.
Jemima Davey fine debut in the JG race to finish in 44th place
Senior Boy Rio Carr had a terrific race to finish 2nd scorer for Northants completing the 6995m course in 26:16 for 147th place, with Josh Geddes not faring well as he struggled to breath, finishing in 263rd place in 28:21, just beating club colleague Lucas Mansell who slotted in 264th, although sadly not official as he lost his shoe during the race which contained his chip timer!
Rio Carr (340) terrific race to finish in 147th in the SB race
In the Inter Intermediate age groups Lucas Rogers ran well to finish in 183rd place in 22:07 over the 5750m course at 4th Team scorer, with Joseph Pickering running well in 242nd finishing as 6th scorer in 22:41. Alice Bennett was the only Harrier competing in the Girls race finishing in 242nd place to cap her limited XC season.
In the Junior Boys race two further debutants George Sharpe and Dylan Ransom run well to finish in 301st and 318th respectively and gained valuable experience for future years.
This closes off a superb winter for the squad who now take a well earned 2 week rest before returning to training and starting their track campaign.
Well done to everyone who ran.