Sian Edwards continued to show good form in the senior ladies 8km race at the Midland Counties Cross Country Championships held at Wollaton Park in Nottingham, with a top 10 finish. Sian finished an excellent 8th in 29.06 for the 8km course, just losing contention with the leading pack on the 2nd 3km loop with firm conditions underfoot and cold but sunny conditions. Also putting in a rare appearance for the Harriers was Helen Rollins who was nicely placed in the top 20 before having to with draw on lap 2 with an injury.
The senior men’s team had some late withdrawals so it just 3 competing. Martyn Winstone was first home over the tough 4 x3km lap course in 270th position in 51.28, with Andrew Clawson in 284th with 52.26, and Paul Young in 330th with 55.21.
In the Juniors it was great to see 3 full teams competing (U13 Girls/ U15 Girls/ U15 Boys) and there were some good team and individual performances. The U15 girls team were highest placed in an excellent 8th position over the 4km course, with the fast improving Fran Ashworth (16.13) enjoying a great race to lead the team home in 19th position with Abigail Coleman (16.17) in 21st, both girls improving by over 20 positions from 2011. Gemma Vaughan also enjoyed a good race to finish in 42nd, with Lauren Mehmet completing the team in 73rd position. There were 102 competing in the race.
Both the U15 Boys and U13 girls teams finished in 11th position for the team competition, with Josh Cara leading the charge for the U15 boys over the same 4km course and finishing in an excellent 11th position in 14.00, Jack Hope continuing his recent good form finished in 25th (14.21), with Edward Cannell and Ben Tierney finishing in 75th/96th respectively. There were 108 runners.
The U13 Girls race saw Tabatha Walford returning to good form to lead the Harriers charge and finish in 31st over the 3km course in 12.28, with excellent support form Danielle Gaskell finishing in 45th in 12.40, Izzy Cara in 56th and Rebecca Hughes in 76th. There were 128 runners.
Ethan Mehmet was the sole entrant for the U13 boys race over 3km, and he continued to show the much improved form this year to finish in 22nd position in 11.23 some 40 places higher than in 2011. There were 99 runners.
Josh Coles and Liam Kirk both competed in the U17 Men’s race over 6km, with Josh finding it tough going and finishing in 28th position in 21.28, and Liam finishing in a creditable 53rd in 22.16.
Most of the Juniors will be competing at the Anglian Trophy meeting on the 4th February in Ipswich looking to secure English Schools qualifying positions, so good luck to all.