National XC Champs - Young Athletes at Wollaton Park
Saturday’s National Cross Country Championships in Nottingham’s Wollaton Park brought mixed fortunes for our Junior squad, already depleted by injuries and other half term commitments. Three athletes achieved finishes in the top 20 (or just outside); there were a few ‘out of sorts’ performances but most ran to par on an occasion where the sun shone, the ground was dry (mostly) and the organisation and atmosphere superb.
On the whole, the going was fast and firm although the rough and tussocky grass in the deer park section of the main start field made for an awkward initiation for the runners. With Wollaton Hall providing a dominating backdrop to the races, the course skirted the western side of the park and was a more interesting challenge than the Inter-Counties’ course which used the park’s eastern half until the event was moved to Birmingham a few years ago. Races using the full lap had the short climb up to the side of the hall, which doubled as Gotham Manor in the recent series of Batman films.
As the athletes in the early races returned, tales of the unusual course features emerged; the log barrier to be hurdled, the ditch to be jumped and advice was freely proffered as to where best to cross the swampy stream of uncertain depth. The last of these quickly became a focus for spectators particularly as some of the runners failed to negotiate the stream without a muddy baptism.
The first of our athletes on duty, U17W Jessica Burgess produced one of the most hearting results of the day coming relatively early in her return to racing after a long layoff from stress fractures. Although her 21st place finish might not have been unexpected last winter, her form this season has only been tested twice so to achieve this was hugely satisfying. With the first three runners half a minute up on the rest of the field, it was surprising to see the Southern winner, Invicta’s Bobby Clay get overhauled in the finishing straight by Lydia Turner (Birtley AC). Jess was the second Essex runner home, finishing just 17 seconds behind Chelmsford’s Georgia Tuckfield who was 14th in 18m59s.
In the U15G event, Isabella Hoy went one place better than Jess with a 20th place finishing 1m01s behind Cambridge Harriers’ winner Sabrina Sinha. Isabella, in her first year in the age group might expect for more next year. Rosie Poole was our other finisher in the age group with 143rd (18m10s) whilst Jodi Ratcliff unfortunately had to stop after being sick.
In the U20M race, Ed Shepherd produced another good top 20 run with 17th place although he might have hoped for more after picking up 7th place in the snow at Herrington Park last year. Conversely James Stockings had an out of sorts’ day and didn’t finish; no doubt affected by his current working arrangements. Ever cheerful Sam Benge did stay the course picking up 152nd place.
For the U15B, it was a case of what might have been for Canaan Solomon who started brightly in the leading group and was in 4th when passing the Hall but then surprisingly faded to 146th at the line. Just over a minute down on Canaan was Harry Cavell (in 248th) who felt that he did himself justice whilst Taylor Reece and Chris Hogg continued their personal battle for dominance, this time Chris winning out in with 321, six places up on Taylor.
So how did out U13s fair? For both our representatives it was their first experience of the Nationals and both coped admirably. Millie Finch (U13G) finished 340ndin the largest junior race of the day (431 runners) whilst in the boys’ event, Zain Idris, (deprived of Joe Geller’s company by a late injury withdrawal) was 288nd from the 385 finishers.
Next year, the Nationals are due back in the South so we can hope for more Woodford athletes to be able to compete but let’s hope that we get the opportunity to return to Wollaton Hall in the future for a repeat of some great racing in a spectacular venue.