There was a hugely encouraging turn out for most of the age groups, in particular the senior men’s & Women’s at the 2nd meeting of the North Midland league held at Corby west Glebe Park on a rearranged course which had a section within the woods with some challenging short hills and steep descent’s. There were some fine individual & team performances with the standout individual performances of the day from the younger ranks where U11 Jacob Asher-Relf enjoyed a superb debut win, and U13 Lucas Rogers a fine 6th place.
The U11G got the league match underway over a 2km course, which saw a fine debut for Maggie Gancheva, the sole Harrier in the race, showing plenty of promise in her 12th place finish in 9:34.
The U11 boys followed, and Jacob Asher-Relf produced the performance of the day with a magnificent run to lead from the gun and totally dominate the race from start to finish, wining comfortably by 60m to take his first NML race win in 8:00 dead. Jacob, who broke the KTH U11 600m club record this year showing his fantastic range, and if not still 10 years old would perhaps have preferred to do battle amongst the older U13B's over the longer 3.5km course along with his training colleagues. In support here was a strong contingent of U11B in action with Zack Kirk-bates a fine 24th (9:15), with a grouping of Harriers (Thomas Leak, 32nd, Tristan Banford 35th Oliver Leak & James Clutton 38th & 39th respectively all helping the team to a fine 5th place.
Jacob Asher-Relf performance of the day to easily win U11 race
The Joint U13B & U15G race over 3.5km produced the best junior team performance of the day with the U13B finishing in a very respectable 4th place, and with most of the athletes bottom year showing huge potential going forward. Lucas Rogers produced the second highest placing of the day improving from 10th position in his opening race; he set off at a much higher tempo to get into a more prominent position which he maintained throughout the race to finish in a superb 6th place in 10:58. Dylan White was next finisher with a terrific run for 14th (11:38), Dylan didn’t get the best of starts but once into his stride he was taking places throughout with a strong finish. Rio Carr also had a fine race and was the final scorer for the team finishing in 24th place individually in 12:08 to help the team to a very respectable 4th place. There was a cluster of Harriers finishing in the 30’s with George Separovic 31st, Aiden Ielapi 35th & Ben Brooker 36th all running well, and Ayton Rice in a respectable 47th the last finisher for the Harriers. For the U15 Girls there was just one athlete competing, Mia Brockway finishing in a fine 16th place.
Lucas Rogers superb race for 6th place in U13B's race
The U15B race over 4.5km proved to be a tough battleground for the Harriers with Ollie Read enjoying a solid run the best finisher in 25th, with Josh Geddes with his first race following a long injury running well for 31st & the Raulia twins Ryan & Brandon in 38th & 49th respectively.
The Junior/ Senior & vet women’s race over 6km produced some fine results with Elana Albery taking a weekend break from Bournemouth University enjoyed a terrific race and was top finisher for the Harriers in a fine 47th place (10th U20) in 25:37 showing her training is going well. Elaine Fairbrother was just behind with a superb run in 50th place, which placed her in 5th place in the vet 40 category. Sophie Moss in her first XC outing over the longer distance ran a solid race in 64th (14th U20). There was a huge contingent of vet women out in force for the Harriers with Maggie Mullholland the last scorer for the vet women in 72nd helping to secure a fine 5th place. Trudi Pike (86th), Yvonne Mehmet (91st), & Babs Poncia (102nd) all ran well, and new recruits Nicola McCann (108th), Evelyn Clawson (111th), Sam Brockway (122nd) & Paula Sinnot (126th) all put in credible performances.
The U20 senior & vets men’s race saw a major improvement in Harriers participating with 14 athletes in action over the gruelling 10km course. The vet’s team was a hugely impressive 2nd place overall, with Matt Fowler top finisher for the Harriers on the day in 50th place, and Steve Thompson close behind in 56th running superb races & scoring well individually as 5th & 7th vet 40’s respectively & Tony James putting a great performance for 91st overall, but 5th vet 45 all securing the vet team position. Edward cannel ran a fine race for 95th (10th U20) with Philip Brigden in 122nd all helping the harriers secure a very respectable 11th place overall. Ross Brown (138th), Michael Salter (149th), Andrew Clawson (151st) & Kemal Mehmet all ran strong races, with Martin Allison (177th), Paul Young (214th), Robert Coles (227th) Richard Vater (245th) & Ant Poncia (248th) all putting in credible performances.
Out in force the vet men finished in a terrific 2nd place in the team event
The U17 men saw Josh Cannell & Morgan Potter continue their battle from the opening fixture, with a reversal of positions from the opening league fixture seeing Cannell finishing just place ahead of his club rival in 20th place over the 6km course.
In the U13G and final race of the day, there was a brace of harriers together with Izzy Brockway top finisher running well in 35th, with Sonal Ratmos 36th , Ella Fairbrother 37th , & Niamh Sinnott in 39th all close behind.
Well done to all athletes who competed, we hope to see as many out for the Charity Cup in 2 weeks time on 25th November at wicksteed park, see fixtures & results for entry forms.