Weekend of Cross Country

Eve tackling the big hill in Under 9s XC at Charlbury, Oxfordshire

Amongst a very busy weekend of races fro Club members (see Brian's upcoming weekly report), there were two cross country league events : the second Gloucester League meeting, in our own Cirencester Park on Saturday, plus on Sunday the first Oxford Lague event, in Charlbury. We have the opportunity to run as guests in the latter this year.

In the Gloucester League there are races for Under 11s, Under 13s and Under 15s where we had teams. In the combined Under 17s, Under 20s, Ladies and MV65+ race we only had the latter, as Ben Clarke has now moved to Glos AC (he came 3rd) and our only lady hadn't registered! We also had runners in the men's race. Cirencester runners were well supported by not only Juniors' and Teens' parents but also quite a few master Club members around the course and at the finish line.

On Sunday we had two pioneers from our Juniors : Eve Nicholls doing her first XC in the Under 9's and Hetty Franklin doing her second XC race of the weekend in the Under 11s.

There are some differences between the League set ups (see left) and we have the opportunity to try Oxford this year before deciding what to do next year, when there may be other changes, i.e. moving to even number year age categoires, e.g. U10s, U12s...

Saturday : Glos league race 2 at Cirencester Park

We had quite a good turnout, despite the race falling during half term, when many of our Juniors and Teens are on holiday, so we managed to get some Teams out (3 required) in most but not all events.

Our runners:

In the Under 11s Boys race :

Albert Platt, Alex Willis, Digby Withington, George Farmer, Jacob Harrison, Joseph Leicester, Ted Ralling (new boy), and William Richards

and in the Under 11 Girls race :

Clari Wallis, Hetty Franklin, Lily-Rose Stokes

In the Under 13s boys race :

Ed Knight, Elliot Fountain, Hugo Dobson, Wilf Ryder (latter two missing from photo)

and in the Under 13s Girls race :

Abigail Cunningham, Alice Averies, Annabel Campbell, Holly Ralling, Isla Wright and Sophi Mason

How did they get on ? Well, I'm not sure yet as the results have not been posted (last time it took a week before there was a coherent set of results. Hopefully, they be quicker this time).

First 4 boys home (R->L) : Albert, Jacob, Digby and George

Next four boys home (R->L) : Alex, Ted, William & Joseph

Here's some photos that indicates our runners finishing order. I will update this article with the placings and times soon.

Firstly the U11 boys.. where Albert place in top 10 with Jacob not far behind.

Girls on lap 1 (R->L) : Hetty, Clari & Lily-Rose

and the U11 girls...

Under 13s Race

Under 13s waiting for the start: (L->R) Elliot, Holly, Ed, Annabel, Alice, Sophie, Abi and Isla

In the boys race, Elliott finished just in front of Ed with Hugo not far behind.

In the girls race Annabel just led home Alice with the Isla, Abi and Sophi following.

Under 15s race

Toby leading from the start followed by Henry with Oscar and Beatrice just behind

Boys : Henry Woodfine, Oscar Harris and Toby Conway

Girl : Beatrice Wallis

Last time, we had just enough for a U15 BoysTeam, but Bertie wasn't available this time, but thankfully Oscar was and he put in a gutsy run following in Toby and Henry.

Unusually, the early racers had the best weather, the rain falling on the Ladies race runners just prior to the start to undo the beneficial ffects of the warm-ups! No idea where Dorian finished, except he was the first Club runner home!

Sunday : Oxford league race 1 at Charlbury

Hetty in her second XC race of the weekend

Eve ran in the U9s race (see top photo) and came 16th in the girls race (41st overall) and according to mum, "she loved it" which is the best outcome, in my opinion.

Hetty running her second XC race of the weekend, came 10th only 45s behind the winner, so a stronger field than Saturday's.

Well done girls, and if any one wants to try out the OXfrod league races, please contact me. Next race is on Sunday 7th December at Moredon Sports Hub in Swindon, so really local.

Many thanks to all who represented the Club and put their training into practice.

Acknowledgements: Aaron for taking the tent away and Melanie for the brownies, RSE for hosting the Cirencester event and Chrissie and Lisa for being pioneers by having Eve and Hetty run in Oxford league..

Dorian

RESULTS (Glos n/a yet, but Oxon are at bottom)

1st November at Cirencester Park

Under 11 Boys

1st ??? (?) ??:??

Under 11 Girls

1st ??? (?) ??:??

U13 Boys

1st ??? (?) ??:??

U13 Girls

1st ??? (?) ??:??

U15 Boys

1st ??? (?) ??:??

U15 Girls

1st ??? (?) ??:??

U17s U20s, Ladies & MV65 race

1st ??? (?) ??:??

? Ben Clarke (Glos AC U17) ??:??

? Dorian Matts MV65 (??) ??:??

Men's race

1st ??? (?) ??:??

? Aaron

? James T

? Alex B

2nd November at Cornbury Estate, Charlbury

U9s race (girls)

1st Megan Rose (Swindon Harriers) 3:59

16th Eve Nicholls 6:58

U11s race (girls)

1st. Charlotte Flitton (Newbury) 6:03

10th Hetty Franklin 6:47