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Left - Michael Goodard Centre - U13 boys team, l-r, Alex Johnson, Michael Goddard, James McCarthy Right - U13 girls team, l-r, Jemma Wenman, Jessica Franks, Rosalind Firth Emma Barraclough, Connie Lewis, Katie Royals, and Amy Harris Click on photos to enlarge - use browser back button to return Pictures by Steve Perkin |
Chiltern Under 13 boys claimed an excellent bronze medal at the National Cross Country Relay Championships at Berry Hill Park on Saturday. Chiltern's other teams also performed with great merit at this high quality event.
Leading off for the boys was Michael Goddard, who ran a powerful first leg on the undulating 2K park and woodland course, and brought the team round in first place. His time of 6.53 remained the fastest of the day for the whole Under 13 race. He handed over to first year James McCarthy (7.28), who ran with strength and maturity, only losing one place to the all-conquering Aldershot, Farnham & District team. By the time he handed over to Alex Johnson (7.44) in second place, large gaps had appeared in the field and Alex held his nerve to bring the team home in third place. This was a particularly great result as the Under 13s last year had just missed out on a medal finishing 4th.
Chiltern's other Under 13 boys team also gained good experience with three first years Joe Cochrane (7.53), Andrew Stenning (7.47), and Robert Hughes (8.21) bringing the B team home in 43rd place from the 64 complete teams.
The Under 13 girls also acquitted themselves well. The A team of Ellie Jones (7.50), Amy Harris (8.12), and Connie Lewis (7.50) all ran well to bring the A team home in 9th place from the 72 complete teams. The B team of Emma Barraclough (8.14), Rosalind Firth (8.23), and Jessica Franks (7.55) finished in 17th place and had the distinction of being the first 'B' team, finishing ahead of the B teams from strong clubs such as Aldershot and Windsor. The third team of Katie Royals (9.23), Claudia McInerney (9.05), and Jemma Wenman (9.24) all ran solidly and finished in 69th place.
In the other boys age groups the Under 15s came up against tough opposition and George Gillingwater (7.22), Dan Barraclough (7.07), and Ollie Church (7.20) came 51st from the 88 clubs taking part. The Under 17s also had very strong teams to contend with and ended up in 38th spot from 78 complete teams. Dan Loach ran the ultra competitive first leg in 11.01 and Allan Stewart (10.07) and Alex Shelley (10.04) both pulled several places back on the second and third legs.
At this early point in the season, good reason for Chiltern's young athletes to feel positive about the cross country season to come.