This was the club’s first-ever appearance in the senior races at the Southern Cross Country Relay Champs at Wormwood Scrubs, and our men finished a solid 22nd out of 36 finishing teams, reports Team Manager Chris Hepworth.
Chris himself got us off to a good start, finishing with the team’s fastest leg and handing over to Akira Anzai-Jackson in 13th place, just 46 seconds off the lead. Akira held on well, despite only being back from his break for a couple of weeks, finishing his leg in 20th. Mark Kencroft was next to take to the muddy 4.44km course and ran strongly to maintain 20th position. Colin Foster then took over on the anchor leg, running a fast time – just 4 seconds quicker than Mark – and finishing fast to hold off a charging West 4 Harriers to claim 22nd place.
It was an enjoyable first appearance at the event and we look forward to going back next year with more than one team and a strong A team that can try and fight for a medal!
The women mustered two teams. On the opening leg, Super-Vet Patricia Thomas ran the fastest lap for our A team, supported by two novices. Tanisha Prince made a welcome return to action – and her cross country debut for the club – on leg two. Megan Hubbard brought the team home in 31st place on her second ever cross country race. Alison Turrell led off for the B team, supported by Sophie Pesticcio and Barbro Julin. Pat commented afterwards: ” I think we all looked round and realised we were in the wrong race because of our age but hey really enjoyed it and for a change no mud on the scrubs”. (I’m not sure everyone was in the wrong age group, Pat, but it does look as though you all enjoyed it!)
ESM results summary:
Men: Leg 1: 13 Chris Hepworth 14:28, Leg 2: 20 Akira Anzai-Jackson 16:18, Leg 3: 20 Mark Kencroft (M50) 16:42, Leg 4: 22 Colin Foster 16:38
Women: A Team: Leg 1: 31 Patricia Thomas (W55)14:45 , Leg 2: 35 Tanisha Prince 15:50, Leg 3: 37 Megan Hubbard 16:00; B Team: Leg 1: 38 Alison Turrell (W50) 18:51, Leg 2: 45 Sophie Pesticcio (W45) 17:29, Leg 3: 41 Barbro Julin (W55) 17:53
Full results on power of 10. Click here for separate pdf of senior men’s results on the SEAA website, and here for senior women’s results.