Essex Schools Cross Country, Hillyfields, Colchester
Frost and ice greeted our athletes at this year’s championships, which left the going fast on most parts of the course, a complete contrast to the mud at Claybury two weeks earlier. The top 6 in each race were automatically selected for the English Schools, with two places decided after the Inter Counties at the end of January. The top 16 would run at the South-East Of England Inter-Counties, with 17th/18th gaining a reserve spot.
Woodford had four athletes claim a top 6 place thus earning a place in this year’s All-England Schools at Blackburn in March, plus a fifth athlete make the South-East Of England Inter-Counties Schools at Reigate in two weeks’ time.
Canaan Soloman found the going to his liking and took an early lead in the Inter Boys (Under 17) race that he slightly increased throughout as he crossed the line in driving snow 15 seconds ahead of the much-fancied Ahmed Abdulla from Redbridge. Owen Armstrong, who was unwell over Christmas, made a welcome return to racing and placed a creditable 29th. Chris Hogg, a year 10 lad, placed 50th.
In the Junior Girls (Under 15s) race Woodford provided the entire West Essex team with Kyesha Robinson, their champion from last year, sportingly turning up to cheer the team on whilst in the middle of her indoor season. Megan Caswell was unfortunate not to make the start with a broken down car. Siena Taylor, fresh from a fine showing two weeks ago, led the team home in 18th spot, thus gaining a reserve spot for the Inter Counties. Olivia Corbett (who fell early in the race) and Louise Gilbert ran together for 23rd Louise and 24th Olivia. Hannah Page was 37th whilst a much improved run came from Julia Sokol in 40th. Holly Henbury closed the West Essex team home in 4th place in 47th. Millie Finch for Redbridge placed 43rd.
In the Junior Boys (Under 15s) race Woodford had four runners, with Hayden Maleary having a great run to claim an excellent 9th spot (the 1st Year 8 to finish) after being pushed over at the start. This is Hayden’s first Essex vest and, to confirm how good his run was, he defeated athletes who were 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th ahead of him two weeks ago when he placed 8th at Claybury. Joe Geller also ran well for 25th and he, too, should feel happy with his run, just 40 seconds behind Hayden. Zain Iris was 41st with Callum Salter 57th.
In the Inter Girls race (Under 17s) Isabella Hoy and Jodi Ratcliffe both ran strongly throughout against top opposition to place 12 seconds apart, with Bella claiming 3rd and Jodi 4th, both athletes gaining automatic selection for the English Schools.
In the Senior Girls race (Under 19s) Jess Burgess had another fine race to also gain automatic selection for the English Schools finishing in 4th place.
So Caaaan, Jodi, Bella and Jess will represent Essex Schools at both the Inter-Counties and the English Schools, whilst Hayden will represent Essex at the Inter-Counties, where he will try and gain one of the two remaining spots open to him for the English Schools.