North Midland League - Darby
It was a steady start for the Harriers in the traditional North Midland League opening cross country fixture, held at Darby Markeaton park on a highly unusual but welcome 24 degrees, with many of the squad not able to make the short trip up the M1.
One of the best performances of the day was by the much improved Lucas Rogers who ran a terrific race for the U13 B over the tough 3km course to finish in a fine 10th place in 12:46. Dylan White also ran a strong race to finish in 16th place in 13:17 and with both boys bottom year in the age group there will be much more to come over the coming 18 months. Ben Brooker was third KTH scorer in 44th place, to help the team finish in a very respectable 6th place.
Lucas Rogers a fine race for 10th place in the U13B race
In the U15 B race Josh Clutton ran well for 45th over the 4.5km course in 18:45, with Ryan Raulia struggling with a back injury finishing in 51st. Morgan Potter was top finisher for the Harriers in the U17 Men’s race, winning a sprint finish against club colleague Josh Cannell to finish the 6km course in a fine 18th place (25:47), with Cannell in 17th place in 25:51.
The Senior Men’s team finished in a respectable 18th place, headed by new recruit Matt Almond making an impressive debut in the red and white vest, running a fine race for 27th place over the 10km course in 35:00, with hopefully much more to come as his fitness improves. The ever dependable Edward Cannell was next scorer in 80th place (38:17) with a solid run, with V45 Tony James running a fine race for 116th (40:01) and 7th V45, and Ross Brown & Andrew Clawson 4th & 5th scorers in 171st & 196th respectively.
Matt Almond impressive debut in 27th place
Mia Brockway was the top performer for the girls running a fine race in the U15 G race over the 3km course for 12th place in 13:58, with club colleague Freya Batkin just a few places back in 16th (14:27) with a solid run. Younger sister Izzy Brockway making her U13 XC debut ran well for 41st, and the only senior women competing on the day was Elaine Fairbrother who ran a very strong race to finish the 6km course in 57th place in 30:12.
With many of the squad’s missing athletes sure to feature in the next round at Corby in 3 weeks’ time, the Harriers should be in a stronger position.
British Athletics Cross Challenge Cardiff
Dylan Bowley ran a superb race to finish in 6th place in the opening fixture of the British Athletics cross challenge held over a flat 3.2km course in Cardiff. Bowley was prominent throughout the race and made up a number of places with a determined effort over the final 80m which saw just 5 seconds separating 4th & 9th place. With the next round much nearer to home in Milton Keynes in 3 weeks Bowley will be hoping to maintain his great start to the XC season.