The annual KTH Charity cup, one of the country’s oldest cross Country races held at the traditional setting of Wicksteed Park, produced some terrific team & individual performances, especially for the senior men’s team who were triumphant in winning the charity cup, something they have not achieved since 2011.
Leading the charge for the Harriers was Matt Fowler finishing in a n excellent individual 4th place in 41.20 over the 10km course. The ever consistent Tony James was next home in 11th (43.20) with Edward Cannell enjoying a good race just behind in 11th place (43.29). The three remaining scorers were Phil Brigden (14th), Ross Brown (16th) & Andrew Clawson 17th.
Two of the successful Men's winning team Tony James & Ross Brown proud winners of the Charity Cup
The women’s veteran team also dominated proceedings winning the Gold team medal in the NAA County Master race. Elaine Fairbrother was the individual vet winner as well as leading the team to gold, with great support from Trudi Pike in 4th & Bab’s Poncia in 5th over the 4900m course.
Womens Winning vet team, Bab's Poncia, Trudie Pike & individual winner Elaine Fairbrother
The success continued with the Men’s vet’s securing a fine silver team medal, just behind R&N & the senior women’s team also secured a Silver team medal just two point behind Harborough with a fine run from Sophie Moss top scoring in 2nd place, with Elaine Fairbrother & Trudi Pike in 3rd & 8th respectively.
The U17 Men ran well to secure a clean sweep with josh cannel winning with a terrific run over the 6600m course in 27;50, with Morgan Potter enjoying a fine run in second (28:31) & Jack Watson 3rd in 30:25 securing the team Gold.
U17 Men's Gold winning team a classic clean sweep!
The U15B also secured a team Gold, with a strong run from Oliver Read over the 4300m course in 4th place in 18:08, with good support from Ryan Raulia & Josh Clutton in 6th (19:34) & 7th (20:04) respectively.
In both the U17W & U15 G race there was just one Harrier in action, with U17 Harriett Jolley running a great race to win an individual silver & U15 Mia Brockway enjoying a fine race for an individual bronze.
The U13B race was also a close affair with the harriers just missing out on a Gold team medal to R&N by just 2 points. Jacob Asher-Relf was top scorer with a fantastic run for an individual bronze medal, with brilliant support from Lucas Rogers in 4th & Dylan White in 5th. The U13G also ran well to win a team Silver with Ruby McLeod running well for 8th, with Sonal Rathod & Chloe Oliver in 9th & 10 respectively.
The KTH U11G secured a fine team Gold medal with fine runs from Magdalena Gancheva in 4th place with support from Ellie Warboys & Evie Brooker in 9th & 10th respectively. The U11B also secured a team Silver medal with Zack Kirk-Bates top scoring in 7th and Jack Mowat & Harry Gibson running well for 10th & 11th respectively.
This was a great return from the Harriers, who now switch attention to the County Championships in just over a month on the same Wicksteed Park course.