The last round of this 5-race competition took place last Saturday in good weather conditions with this traditionally tough course less muddy than usual. With overall medals to be won in both individual and team categories Chiltern Harriers were out in force, although half-term holidays and a cold virus, which had swept through local schools did take it's toll in the younger age groups. To count in the overall reckoning athletes needed to have finished in at least 4 of the 5 races.
Talented ten year old Michael Goddard, despite feeling the after effects of a cold, ran a strong race to finish 3rd, close behind the race leaders. This placed him a clear winner overall in the age group, in which he is young enough to compete again next winter. He led the U11 boy's team to 5th place with good support from 11 year old Jack Dutton, who had his best run to finish 12th (13th overall), with teammates Mitchell Desborough (37th) and Gus Beedell (56th). The team finished in 5th place overall.
The U13 boy's team had another great race finishing 2nd just behind the very strong Bedford & County team. This excellent performance deservedly moved them into a strong 2nd place overall and the Team silver medals. Once again Daniel Loach led the team home with a great run in 7th place followed closely by Alex Watson in 9th place (9th overall), with first year Oliver Church in 10th place (10th overall) and Sonny Harvey 13th place (13th overall), another first year in the age group. 4 other team members producing their best runs of the season, Harry Lindsley (29th), Hugh Beedell (30th), Howard Mears (34th) and Edgar Aperghis (35th) ably supported them.
A much depleted U15 boy's team managed to finish in a very respectable 4th place on the day (5th overall) thanks to fine funs from the two participants. Alex Shelley, has continued to improve throughout the winter, and produced his best league run to finish 5th and claim 5th place overall. Allan Stewart followed his fine run in the County Schools last week to finish in 11th place (12th overall). Both are first years in this age group.
In the U17 age group Matthew Bennett produced another consistent performance in his 6k race to finish 9th and 7th place overall.
Following his fine run into 14th place for St. Mary's in the 'B' race at last week's BUSA Championships held in Stirling, Scotland U20 Stuart Ellerby continued his fine run of form at Wing. He led home the Senior Men's team to 4th place (3rd place overall) when finishing in 10th place individually (first U20) and in so doing secured the bronze medal position overall in the Junior Men's competition.
Gary Howells
Team Manager & Coach
Chiltern Harriers AC