Following some very significant successes at recent southern and national events, and in advance of next week’s National Cross Country Relays at Mansfield where the Club looks to field another bumper and high quality set of teams, our young athletes’ teams continued their medal success at Stoke Park. These relays double up as country championship events, and most of the races featured athletes at the sharp end (from a range of clubs) who are top six ranked nationally for their respective specialisms.
In the U13G race, our Southern Cross Country Relay champions from Wormwood Scrubs secured a comfortable victory. The ever improving Eva Holland led the way on leg one, running an excellent 8.02 for a clear first place, in what turned out to be fourth quickest time of the day. Layla Wilkinson maintained the lead with an 8.17 leg, and Maisie Collis produced a very good final leg, running 7.59, to secure another victory. Maisie’s time was ranked equal second on the day, just one second behind the fastest leg.
The U13 boys were also hoping to repeat their victory of the previous week, but on this occasion were just beaten by a very strong AFD team, who had been second behind our boys at the National Road Relays. Benjamin Harrison led off with a 7.31 opening leg for third place, and was followed by Jaden Kennedy who ripped through into first place with the quickest U13B leg of the day, 7.02. Jacob Harrison completed the team with a 7.24 leg. Our B team were 9th, with Christo Chilton running 7.48.
The U15 girls finished in third place. Clarissa Nicholls finished first leg in 10th place running 8.22. Rosie Hammond ran a strong second leg to bring the team up to 3rd place with 8.02, and was followed by Lulu King with an 8.10 final leg. The strength in depth was illustrated by the fact we had a B team in 6th, where Susannah Hirst ran a very good 8.08 leg, whilst, in the incomplete C team, Isobel Penniceard ran 8.07, the second quickest HHH U15G time of the day.
Our U15 boys also secured third place; a big welcome back to our top U15B, Oscar Millard. Mohammed Ali led off with an opening 7.19 leg (it is great to see Mohammed starting to fulfil his potential), followed by Oscar Millard with a 7.08 leg (8th quickest overall), and Jacob Alley, 7.30. Charlie Krammer ran a good 7.29 in the B team that finished 16th.
Our U17W are proving to be one of our strongest squads. Our A team won by more than one minute, with very consistent running from all team members. Olivia Stillman finished third on first leg with a 7.48 split, followed by Eimear Griffin who took the team into the lead with her 7.40 leg, and Katie Balme (fresh from altitude training in Yorkshire) completed the team with an excellent solo run, 7.41. In a non-scoring B team that finished third, Mollie O’Sullivan ran a superb first leg clocking 7.28, the second quickest overall, followed by Tatiana Cooke, 8.21 and Jemima Hayward-Bhikha, 8.45. Such is our strength in this age group that, in addition to Mollie’s second quickest overall, Eimear and Katie posted 3rd and 4th quickest times.
Finally our U17M had two runners, Laurie Pope, 7.11 and Jamie Kramer, 7.43.
Keith Newton, 30/10/16