Young Athletes at the National XC Relays
Six young athlete teams represented Woodford on a breezy but bright and dry day at Berry Hill Park. Conditions underfoot were good, with some runners deciding to race in flats rather than spikes.
The first race out was the Under 17 Women, over 3 legs of 2.5k. First off was Rosie Poole with her first race for awhile, who ran well to place 59th in 10 mins 28 secs. Abbie Dell, although not feeling well, was brave enough to race and not let the team down, and improved to 51st with 11 mins 01 secs. On the last leg Alicia McArdell had a fine run, making up 16 places to close the team in 37th with 10 mins 10 secs.
The Under 17 men were next away, with Canaan Soloman running the first leg over 3k, again from a large field. Canaan stayed with the leading group until the last 1k where a lack of racing forced him to settle for 16th in 9 mins 34 secs. Next away was Owen Armstrong who found life difficult in running 11 mins 08 and dropping back to 47th. On the last leg our All England Schools 800 metre champion Daniel Rowden ran a fine leg, placing 37th in 9 mins 56 secs.
The Under 13 girls team are very new to our sport but Siena Taylor opened on the 2k leg to place 53rd in 8 mins 16 secs, just 20 seconds short of the Orion runner who won the first Essex League race. Year 7 girl Georgina Handford handled herself well, running 9 mins 26 to come in 78th. On the last leg Holly Henbury was sent away at least 10 seconds after she should have been but still ran 8 mins 30 secs, climbing 16 places to 62nd.
The Under 13 boys had a good day, with a blinder from Joe Gellor, right back in form placing 25th over his 2k leg running 7 mins 25 secs. Albie Wickenden, although conceding places stuck to his task well for a year 7 boy, coming in 47th in 8 mins 20secs. Another outstanding run came from Hayden Maleary, passing 13 runners to bring Woodford home in 34th in 7 mins 42 secs.
The Under 15 girls had the highest placing of all despite having a 300 metre runner plus another athlete who, had she been born a day later, would have been in the Under 13 girls race. Isabella Hoy, although getting caught at the start, ran brilliantly, placing 11th in 7 mins 23 secs from a field of over 110. Next away was 300/400 metre runner Kyesha Robinson who stepped up to the plate in fine style to come in 27th in 8 mins 12 secs. On the last leg Olivia Corbett, in her first ever race in Woodford colours, stuck to her task in fine style running 8 mins 26 secs to bring Woodford in 31st.
The other Woodford team were Louise Gilbert who had a fine run to place 61st in 8 mins 02secs. Unfortunately there was a mix-up as Mia Hirons waited until the last runner came through until she was sent off costing her around nearly 3 minutes in 11 mins 26 secs. On the last leg another debutant, Julia Sokol, clawed back 11 places to come in 86th with 9 mins 01 secs.
To be honest this was a fine overall showing from our youngsters, many of whom are relatively new to our sport but not afraid of mixing it with the best in England. They can all look forward to slightly easier competition next Saturday at Fairlands Park, Stevenage, in the Met League. Must also thank all those parents and grandparents who supported their children at this fantastic event.