National Cross Country Championships

Saturday 25th February was the culmination of the XC season with the Nationals, back after a few years absence to Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath.

13 Harriers braved probably the best conditions a Nationals has seen in years, even the large muddy patches in the troughs of each rolling hill were only ankle deep. With extra support from our London attaché and friends, some great photos and the greatest turnout in years it was a memorable racing day.

The traditional course starts with a full-on charge straight up a hill, funnelled to try and spread the field out, its an experience to be part of it, especially when stuck in one of the midde pens. Unfortunately due to the size of the men's field (1700 runners this year!), this did mean a massive crush slowing the pace to a crawl for the first half a mile or so, for future runners my advice is to give it everything you've got to get ahead of the field! Unlike when the Southerns is held here, the senior men's race was only 2 big laps.

If you want to imagine the sound of 1700 men charging together up a hill, its akin to thunder or the Grand National. A real experience.

Post race celebrations were held at the traditional Dartmouth Arms nearby. After the disappointing but exciting 6 nations, we we're relieved to see that a curry house had been opened over the road, whereupon we were joined by Bedford and County AC (Paula Radcliffe's club) brandishing the trophy for best Southern team. Although as I understand it, non of those holding the trophy in the curry house had actually contributed points in the race towards winning it.

Full results below and at
http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=78

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Senior Women
650 finishers / 8k

322 / 37:37 Sian Roberts
470 / 41:34 Becky Smith

As we only had 2 competitors we unfortunately didn't have a scoring team.

Senior Men
1689! finishers / 12k

6 to score
83 / 125 clubs

314 / 43:12 Chris Wolton
685 / 47:46 Simon Whitaker
911 / 50:24 Edward Steele
1071 / 52:21 Terry Everest
1163 / 53:39 Geoff Turner
1247 / 54:56 Alan Collard

9 to score
55 / 62 clubs

1369 / 56:56 Michael Russell
1423 / 58:01 Derek Harrison
1582 / 01:03:19 Mark Wheeler

1658 / 01:10:43 John Hepner
JR also ran in the race, but perhaps due to his camera shenanigans or not going through the chip timing tent, his time and place were not recorded!

Although the season is over, our own XC event will be on 17th March in Hargate Forest, look out for news on that soon.

Thanks again to everyone who competed.

Ed