Four ladies appeared at the tough hilly South Downs course on a dry and sunny January afternoon.
Sympathy must be given to poor Kat Gundersen, such a reliable club runner, who dnf'd on the day feeling depleted. Our other three girls ran well in a large field of 335 finishers. Lauren Stewart ran well to place 39th, with the ever so reliable Bernadine Pritchett placing 106th. Jenny Thomas also turned out and was also in the top half of the field with 166th. Had Kat finished then I (John Stow) am sure Woodford would have been amongst the top 15 clubs.
It was a tense and exciting affair while it lasted, the Senior Men's 15K race at Stanmer Park. Our squad travelled with hope of bringing back some glory - a medal, or maybe the 12-to-score team trophy - but returned empty-handed having given their very best and performed with great spirit and club pride. We finished 4th in the most prestigious of the competitions, the 6-to-score, and 3rd in the 12-to-score. Hywel Care was our first man home, while Harold Wyber and Bertie Powell both posted particularly pleasing performances.
