Chiltern Harriers won a clutch of medals the Buckinghamshire Cross-Country Championships, held at Ampthill Park, near Bedford on Saturday 6th January. Derek Brown won the Men's Vet (over-40) prize and three Chiltern Harriers' Women won the Women's Vet's team prize. The men took second in the Senior Men's team event, and third in the Men's Vet team event. The Senior Women's took third in the team event.
The Ampthill course is a challenging up-and-down course at the best of times and it was especially hard on the day due to the slippery wet conditions and steady rain, making it very hard for runners to keep on their feet and maintain momentum.
The victorious three-strong Women's Vet team comprised Sandra Reynolds, 6th over-all, finishing the 6km course in 27m:04s, Cath Holloway just behind her in 27m:19s, and Jane Peel 19th over-all in 32m:27s. They took the Vet's team prize with 34 place points, ahead of Vale of Aylesbury with 54.
The second-placed four-strong Senior Men's team comprised Stuart Ellerby, third over-all in 44m:47s over the 12km course, followed by Tom Beedell, seventh in 46m:37s, Derek Brown, ninth in 46m:54s and Patrick Wallace, fifteenth in 48m:48s. Their 76 place points put them behind the winners, Marshall Milton Keynes with 54 points and ahead of Handy Cross Runners, third with 115 points.
Derek Brown is Buckinghamshire Men's Vet champion, being the first Veteran (over 40) runner home. He takes the title from previous winner Phil Tottle of Vale of Aylesbury.
The third placed Men's Vet (over 40) comprised Derek Brown, Gary Walford (25th overall in 50m:55s) Roger Ellerby (39th overall in 55m:45s) and Adrian Dale (42nd overall in 56m:47s.) Their 115 place points put them behind Vale of Aylesbury, second with 103 points and Marshall Milton Keynes, winners with 84 points.
The third placed Senior Women's team was the same as the Senior Women's team (perhaps reflecting the need for some younger women runners in the club.) Veteran (over 35) runners compete simultaneously in the Senior Open category.
Race winner, retaining his title from last year, was Owain Jones, former Chiltern Harrier and now running for Windsor SE&&H. He finished in 40m:46s. Women's race winner was Claire Pusey of Burnham Joggers, finishing the 6km course in 24m:28s. Claire, being over 35, was also Women's Vet champion, with Sandra Reynolds and Cath Holloway being second and third Vet's on the day. Sandra Reynolds was last years champ, now handing over her title to Claire Pusey.
Nigel Derby