Thursday 3rd June 2010

THE Spring Bank Holiday Monday in the United Kingdom always plays host to the traditional sights and sounds of the many country fayre’s held across the green and pleasant land of the British Isles.

In Leicestershire the county hosts two popular country fayre’s that also feature annual cross-country races at the picturesque venues of the Oaks-in-Charnwood and in the village of Arnesby.
Oaks-in-Charnwood Cross-Country Challenge

The Oaks-in-Charnwood event staged over what is arguably the toughest multi-terrain race on the county racing calendar – a challenging 6.5 mile two-lap course surrounding Iveshead - witnessed Tim Hartley representing Barrow Runners complete a fine solo victory finishing well over two-minutes clear of the field.

Following Jason Williams (OWLS) early lead, Hartley, the 42-year-old former British Masters cross-country champion pulled clear of the field securing victory in a time of 40mins 24secs.

Williams finished runner-up in 42:34 with Tim Doran (AFD), as with Hartley part of the Leicestershire team that competed in the Inter-Counties Fell Championships in Llangynhafal last month taking third.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full results: www.shepshedrc.org.uk

Arnesby May Fayre Cross Country Races

There were repeat victories for both Fleckney & Kibworth's Stacey Voss and Wigston Phoenix's Sam Winters as both athletes successfully defended their 2009 crowns with victories in the 10th running of this traditional cross-country event.

The star turn, however, was produced by 14-year-old Fleckney & Kibworth youngster Jack Williams who smashed the course record on his way to a time of 14:37 over the one and three quarter mile trip which like the five mile senior test is punctuated with an array of stile crossings to add to the undulating terrain.

This was the latest in a series of unbeaten performances by Williams whose recent time of 2:12 over 800 metres in the first round of this year’s Aviva ESAA Cup was on a par with top ten times on the East Midlands Power of Ten rankings despite the schools competition not being officially recognised for the purposes of UK Athletics performance data."

Report by David Wheeler.

Full results: www.village-web.co.uk/arnesby/fayre/2010/racedetails.html

The Letty Fell Race

(Incorp. Inter-Counties Championships)

Llangynhafal, Denbighshire

Saturday 22nd May 2010

MARTIN Cox produced a stellar performance in searing heat to win the Inter-Counties Fell Running title representing Leicestershire & Rutland over a very tough and demanding course over the Clwydian hills surrounding the welsh village of Llangynhafal.

In temperatures hitting a high of 27 degrees in North Wales, Cox, the 40-year-old Enderby-born Salford Harrier, winner of the England Athletics V40 title at the recent Bristol 10km led home the field of over 200 runners with a fine solo performance clocking a time of 1hr 11mins 34secs to finish well over a minute clear of runner-up Simon Bailey (Mercia) 1:12.53.

Switching from road to fell is certainly no problem for Cox having won the Racchettinvalle snowshoeing race in Pragelato, Italy earlier this year.

In the team competition City of Leeds athlete Adam Osborne spearheaded Yorkshire to the men’s title as the Leicestershire team managed by John Brown finished in 11th place overall with Tim Hartley (Notts) finishing in 52nd place overall in 1:29.25 followed by Tim Doran (AFD) having lowered his personal best at last months Virgin London Marathon securing 88th in 1:37.48 completing the counting runners. Peter Swaine (Charnwood) finished 108th in 1:42.21.

In the women’s race Bingley Harrier Victoria Wilkinson won the individual title in a time of 1:25.33 as Yorkshire completed the championship team double. Beaumont’s mountain-running international Sula Young finished in fourth place in 1:27.34 representing Scotland East.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full results are available on the following link: www.race-results.co.uk/results/2010/lletty.htm

Monday 5th April 2010

GEMMA Steel, the reigning Midlands cross-country champion has won the annual Notts 10km race staged in the picturesque surroundings of Nottingham’s Wollaton Park on Easter Bank Holiday Monday.

The 24-year-old England international representing Charnwood AC continued her stellar winter/spring cross country season finishing in third place overall clocking a time of 35mins 34secs over the two-lap course.

Steel was followed home by the British Masters international duo of Nicki Nealon (Huncote) in 38:42 and Nicki Thompson (Charnwood) 42:51.

The men’s race was won by home athlete Bruce Raeside (Notts AC) with a gun-to-tape victory.

Results available on the results page: www.athletics-leics.com/results.html

2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Bydgoszcz, Poland

Sunday 28th March 2010

KENYAN athletes have completely dominated the 2010 edition of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships as Joseph Ebuya and Emily Chebet claimed the individual senior titles, whilst, Caleb Ndiku and Mercy Cherono were victorious in the junior events to cap a superb day for the African nation securing a clean sweep in the team events in Bydgoszcz.

Joseph Ebuya crossed the line in the men’s senior 12km race in a time of exactly 33 minutes to give Kenya their ninth medal in the history of the the event.

Eritrea's Teklemariam Medhin finished six seconds adrift in second, whilst, Moses Ndiema Kipsiro of Uganda took the bronze at the Myslecinek Park in Bydgoszcz.

With six-time winner Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia absent due to injury, the men's race was wide open. However, defending champion Gebre-gziabher Gebremariam of Ethiopia was a disappointing 10th, over 35 seconds behind Ebuya.

Great Britain’s Mo Farah finished just outside the top 20 in 21st place, just over one minute behind Ebuya - with team-mates Andrew Vernon and Michael Skinner 44th and 79th respectively.

Kenya's Emily Chebet won the senior women's 8km race in a time of 24 minutes 19 seconds ahead of compatriot Linet Chepkwemoi Masai and Ethiopia's Meselech Melkamu.

Masai had to settle for a second straight silver after being overtaken by Chebet in the final sprint.

Three-time European junior champion Steph Twell was the top British finisher in 23rd place with compatriots Faye Fullerton (33rd), Freya Murray (37th) and Loughborough student Stevie Stockton (47th).

Hayley Yelling, the European champion, finished down in 63rd.

Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku won the men's junior race and Mercy Cherono captured the women's junior title as Kenya swept the podium in both events adding to the disappointing day for Ethiopia.

In the junior women's team event, the GB line-up of Kate Avery, Emelia Gorecka, Annabel Gummow, Hannah Walker, Beth Potter and Sarah Inglis finished fifth overall. GB's junior men's team came ninth.

The winners of the senior races received $30,000, with the silver medalists getting $15,000 and bronze winners taking home $10,000.

Full results are available on the results pages www.athletics-leics.com/results.html

Saturday 27th March 2010

ENGLAND completed a clean sweep of team victories at the Home Internationals meeting staged at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park.

Sheffield’s Hatti Dean led the way in the senior women’s race as the 28-year-old former UK steeplechase record-holder completed an eighteen second victory over England compatriot Hannah Whitmore clocking a time of 25mins 09secs despite the very windy conditions with Emma Pallent (South) securing third in 25:43.

Loughborough University student Natalie Gray (25:48) and Midlands cross-country champion Gemma Steel (26:03) completed the scoring athletes for Team England finishing in fourth and fifth places respectively.

Charnwood’s Tara Krzywicki representing the Midlands claimed a top ten finish in 7th place.

Bruce Raeside claimed a fine individual victory for Scotland in a highly competitive men’s senior event when England’s James Walsh having led for the majority of the race was surpassed by Raeside with around 150 metres of the race remaining pulling clear to take the win by a margin of just three seconds crossing the line in time of 31:51.

Walsh finished runner-up with Tom Russell of Scotland completing the podium places edging ahead of England's Darren Deed.
Full Results:
Senior Men
1 31.51 Bruce Raeside Notts AC Scotland
2 31.54 James Walsh Leeds City AC England
3 32.03 Tom Russell Bristol & West AC Scotland
4 32.05 Darren Deed Bedford & County AC England
5 32.27 Martin Mashford Aldershot F & D AC South
6 32.38 Alex Hains Cardiff AAC Wales
7 32.44 Ashley Harrell C of Norwich AC England
8 32.51 Rob Bugden RAF Combined ServA
9 33.02 Chris Powner Winchester & Dist AC Scotland
10 33.05 Ben Livesey Forres AC Combined ServA
11 33.07 Owain Jones Windsor S E & H AC Wales
12 33.58 Hywel Care Woodford G E L Wales
13 34.01 Rob Samuel Eryri H Wales
14 34.08 Rob Baker Hallamshire AC North
15 34.21 Mark Greenwood Army Combined ServB
16 34.27 Steve Tuttle Bedford & County South
17 34.35 Sean Hall Gateshead H North
18 34.50 Rob Little Hallamshire H North
19 35.21 Robin Brown Nth Ireland
20 35.26 Dave Cole RAF Combined ServB
21 35.35 Gareth Watkins Army Combined ServA
22 35.43 Kieran White RAF Combined ServB
23 35.49 Matt Blunden RAF Combined ServB
24 36.12 Craig Williams Army Combined ServA
Team:
1 13 England 2,4,7
2 13 Scotland 1,3,9
3 29 Wales 6,11,12
4 39 Com Ser A 8,10,21
5 49 North 14,18,18
6 57 Com Ser B 15,20,22
7 Northern Ireland 19
8 South 5,16
Junior Men
1 26.15 Matthew Gillespie Shettleston H Scotland
2 26.22 Alex Tovey Windsor SEH AC South
3 26.25 Ricky Challinor Liverpool H Wales
4 26.38 Andrew Heyes Hallamshire AC North
5 26.41 Karl Billington England
6 26.42 Andrew Coombs Tonbridge AC England
7 26.45 Richard Peters Bristol & West AC England
8 26.48 Alex Hendry Central AC Scotland
9 26.54 Andrew Creighton Edinburgh AC Scotland
10 27.03 Ryan Saunders Bournemouth AC South
11 27.08 John McDonnell Luton AC South
12 27.12 Matthew Jackson Warrington AC England
13 27.20 Adam Bitchell Cardiff AAC Wales
14 27.35 Luke Caldwell Dorking & Mole Valley South
15 27.37 David Mountford Deeside AC Wales
16 27.41 Lachlan Oates Shettleston AC Scotland
17 27.45 Jon Peters Cwmbran Wales
18 27.49 Ryan Mc Dermott Nth Ireland
19 28.09 Eoghan Totten Nth Ireland
20 28.34 Michael Kallenberg Carmarthen H Wales
21 28.36 Jonathan Hopkins Brynteg Welsh Schools
22 28.42 Alex Edwards Lewis Boys Welsh Schools
23 28.46 Stephen Kerr Nth Ireland
24 28.54 Robbie Idle Nth Ireland
25 29.11 Emrys Penny Gwynlliw Welsh Schools
26 29.48 Phil Edge Deeside AC Wales
27 30.09 Jake Watson Sir Thomas Picton Welsh Schools
28 30.17 Chris Minett-Searle Army Combined Serv
29 32.24 Joshua Harries Penweddig Welsh Schools
30 34.13 Ashley Siddall Army Combined Serv
31 35.19 Steve Mclachan RAF Combined Serv
Team:
1 18 England 5,6,7
2 18 Scotland 1,8,9
3 23 South 2,10,11
4 31 Wales 3,13,15
5 60 Northern Ireland 18,19,23
6 68 Welsh Schools 21,22,25
7 89 Combined Services 28,30,31
8 North 4
Senior Women
1 25.09 Hatti Dean Hallamshire H England
2 25.27 Hannah Whitmore Charnwood AC England
3 25.43 Emma Pallant Aldershot F & D AC South
4 25.48 Natalie Gray Medway & Maidstone England
5 26.03 Gemma Steel Charnwood AC England
6 26.15 Sophie Morris Army Combined Services
7 26.23 Tara Krzywicki Charnwood AC Midlands
8 26.28 Lizzie Adams Hallamshire H North
9 26.33 Emma Raven Central AC Scotland
10 26.39 Julia Russell Hallamshire H North
11 26.58 Georgia Bruinvels South London Harriers South
12 27.08 Maxine Czarnecha Chester-le-Street AC Scotland
13 27.15 Carly Jones Trots AC Wales
14 27.20 Francis Briscoe Coventry Godiva Midlands
15 27.22 Marilyn Kitching Tattenhall R Wales
16 27.32 Sharon Bird Nth Ireland
17 27.34 Julie Turley Nth Ireland
18 27.48 Alison Docherty Central AC Scotland
19 27.49 Gemma Hillier Charnwood AC Midlands
20 27.54 Jenny Lundgren SBH South
21 27.59 Danielle Hodkins Army Combined Services
22 28.15 Alice Coldwell Hallamshire H North
23 28.24 Emily Brown Cardiff AAC Wales
24 28.45 Julia Cooke Cheltenham & County H Wales
25 29.22 Jodie Digby RAF Combined Services
Team:
1 7 England 1,2,4
2 34 South 3,11,20
3 39 Scotland 9,12,18
4 40 Midlands 7,14,19
5 40 North 8,10,22
6 51 Wales 13,15,23
7 52 Combined Services 6,21,25
8 Northern Ireland 16,17
Junior Women
1 21.30 Joanne Harvey Exeter H England
2 21.42 Naomi Taschimowitz Taunton AC England
3 22.05 Laura Parker Wells City H England
4 22.30 Beth Duff East Kilbride Scotland
5 22.38 Rebecca Craigie Vale Royal AC England
6 23.04 Georgie Sales Woodford G with EL South
7 23.14 Natasha Cockram Croesyceiliog Welsh Schools
8 23.16 Hannah Bateson Lancaster & M AC North
9 23.27 Catherine Taylor Aldershot F & D South
10 23.40 Josephine Moultrie Victoria PK, Glasgow Scotland
11 23.45 Melissa Hawtin Oxford South
12 23.53 Alaw Benynon-Thomas Swansea H Wales
13 24.00 Catriona Buchanan Central AC Scotland
14 24.15 Rebekah Gardiner SBH South
15 24.29 Abigail Oliver Deeside Coll Welsh Schools
16 24.43 Vicky Jackson Cardiff AAC Wales
17 24.44 Eimear Black Ballymena&Antrim Nth Ireland
18 24.47 Gina Paletta Wrexham H Wales
19 24.50 Amber Magee Charnwood AC Midlands
20 24.57 Harriet Morris Bedwas Welsh Schools
21 25.16 Sara Johnson Trentham RC Midlands
22 25.34 Angharad Davies Llandovery Coll Welsh Schools
23 25.35 Sarah Lavery Nth Ireland
24 25.49 Sophia Ward Tipton Harriers Midlands
25 26.12 Laura Douglas Nth Ireland
26 26.14 Nikita Pembleton Sutton in Ashfield Midlands
27 26.36 Cairan Davies Carmathen H Wales
28 27.18 Emily Downey Coleg Sir Gar Welsh Schools
Team:
1 6 England 1,2,3
2 26 South 6,9,11
3 27 Scotland 4,10,13
4 42 Welsh Schools 7,15,20
5 46 Wales 12,16,18
6 64 Midlands 19,21,24
7 65 Northern Ireland 17,23,25
8 North 8

Saturday 13th March 2010

FREYA Murray has won the McCain UK Cross Challenge senior women’s title to secure her place for Team GB at the IAAF World Championships that take place in Bydgoszcz, Poland, later this month following a terrific performance to defeat the defending champion Steph Twell.

With the event moved from it’s traditional home of Nottingham to the surroundings of Birmingham’s Cofton Park, Steph Twell, the winner of the English national and British universities titles last month, and in the absence of European cross-country champion Hayley Yelling-Higham, came into the race as the red hot favourite to defend her crown from last year and complete the domestic hat-rick.

The three-time European junior cross-country champion and world junior 1500m champion began over the 8,000m three-lap course by running in the pack in the early stages with Hatti Dean and Julie Briscoe taking on the pace for Yorkshire with Freya Murray of Scotland East for company as the large field snaked their way over the undulating course.

Loughborough University were well represented in the leading group with Laura Kenney (Warwickshire) and Emily Pidgeon (Gloucestershire) to the fore as Leicestershire’s Hannah Whitmore, a world representative in Amman last year tracked their progress in eighth place.

Twell began to make her move at the 3k point edging to the front with Murray and Faye Fullerton (Essex) side-by-side with Whitmore now up to fourth.

The leading pack came down to a trio of Twell, Fullerton and Murray by the half-way mark as Twell applied the pressure stretching the field testing the resolve of the other two athletes with Fullerton working hard to stay in contention.

As the race entered the final stages Twell and Murray pulled clear with the Scot looking very strong and fresh, full of running under the challenge of Twell despite the windy conditions aware of her opponents track speed approaching one kilometre to go.

Murray taking no chances made her move to break clear with a determined sprint leaving Twell with nothing left in response as the 26-year-old Chester-le-Street athlete powered home by over 30 metres taking a fine victory and the UK Challenge title in a time of 27mins 21secs.

Murray commented afterwards: “I’m delighted and over the moon with my race today, top three was my aim today I knew it was going to be a tough race, I’ve changed my coach to Steve Jones this year and training has gone well.”

Twell finished second in with 27:30 ahead of Fullerton (27:41) and an excellent run for Hannah Whitmore (27:47) holding off Emily Pidgeon for fourth place.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Leading Results:
Senior Women’s 8km
1 Freya Murray (Scotland East) 27:21
2 Steph Twell (Hampshire) 27:30
3 Faye Fullerton (Essex) 27:41
4 Hannah Whitmore (Leicestershire) 27:47
5 Emily Pidgeon (Gloucestershire) 27:54
6 Laura Kenney (Warwickshire) 28:04
7 Sonia Samuels (North East) 28:06
8 Jessica Sparke (Essex) 28:10
9 Hatti Dean (Yorkshire) 28:21
10 Jo Wilkinson (Essex) 28:23
11 Gemma Steel (Leicestershire) 28:29
13 Jane Potter (Nottinghamshire) 28:32
15 Natalie Gray (Kent/Loughborough Students) 28:39
45 Alex Snook (Loughborough Students) 30:25
81 Helen Rollins (Leicestershire) 31:34
95 Gemma Hiller (Leicestershire) 31:46
102 Nicola Roder (Leicestershire) 31:57
106 Laura Johnson (Derbyshire) 32:06
124 Katie Lomas (Leicestershire) 32:33
156 Amber Magee (Leicestershire) 33:19
157 Hannah Eveleigh (Leicestershire) 33:21
242 Mary Hall (Leicestershire) 35:58

Saturday 13th March 2010

MO FARAH gave a virtuosos and high quality performance to race away from his domestic rivals securing the UK Challenge final victory and confirming his place for the Great Britain team ahead of the Bydgoszcz World Cross Country Championships in Poland later this month.

Over the 12km Cofton Park four-lap course Farah lined-up alongside defending champion and national cross-country and British universities title winner Andy Vernon (Hampshire) in a very big field at the start.

Farah, the European cross-country silver medallist in Dublin came into the race following a warm weather training spell in South Africa and decided to sit back in deep in the pack in the early stages as Tom Humphreys took on the mantle from the front with Moumin Geele as with Farah running as wild card entrant rather than the Inter-Counties in second.

This set out the pattern of the race over the majority of the opening kilometres as Farah eased through to join the leaders, the European 3,000m indoor champion having preferred to concentrate on the country this season with the World Championships in Poland his target rather than compete for Team GB in Doha, took the lead on the down hill section at 3km with training partner Geele and Mike Skinner for company.

Vernon, having stayed in the pack then took his turn to push the pace at the front with Farah tracking closely as with 7km to go a group of three broke clear comprising of Farah, Geele and Vernon.

From that point Farah’s class began to show through as the 26-year-old applied the pressure to push the pace placing daylight between Geele and Vernon as the Newham & Essex athlete was simply in a class of his own.

Leaving the rest of the field in his wake Farah, throwing away his hat increased the lead to an unassailable 60 metre gap at 5km with Vernon and Geele struggling to keep pace.

Racing in the stunning new bright blue and yellow 2010 corporate adidas racing strip Farah looking full of running, confident and showing the amount of effort put in during his trip to South Africa increased his lead with every kilometre despite the strong winds swirling around Cofton Park.

Entering the final finish straight Farah came home well over a minute ahead of the field in a time of with one of the most impressive victories of the day sprinting home with a world class performance clocking a time of 34mins 42secs.

Vernon secured second in 35:26 as Moumin Geele, runner-up in the nationals, with British citizenship due to be confirmed shortly, claimed third in 35:41 completing the podium places.

A delighted Farah commented afterwards: “Really happy how the race went, I’m not happy about how this year has gone after winning the European indoors last year,

“My plan was to sit there then go, go, out hard and the crowd made this with the noise, I’m defiantly back to my best I have to work hard having been in Kenya I’m in good shape, I’m looking to improve on tenth place at the worlds in Poland.”

Report by Mark Woolley.

Leading Results:
Senior Men’s 12km
1 Mo Farah (Newham & Essex) 34:42
2 Andy Vernon (Hampshire) 35:26
3 Moumin Geele (Newham & Essex) 35:41
4 Mike Skinner (Kent) 35:55
5 Phil Hinch (Warwickshire) 36:04
6 James Walsh (Warwickshire) 36:04
7 James Wilkinson (Yorkshire) 36:06
8 Darren Reed (Bedfordshire) 36:07
9 Tom Humphries (Staffordshire) 36:07
10 Luke Gunn (Derbyshire) 36:09
60 Mark Powell (Leicestershire) 38:03
91 Nigel Stirk (Leicestershire) 38:46
113 Alistair Watson (Leicestershire) 39:27
137 Peter Swaine (Leicestershire) 39:57
153 Tim Doran (Leicestershire) 40:22
188 Geoff Bartrum (Leicestershire) 41:03
201 Jason Williams (Leicestershire) 41:27

Tuesday 2nd March 2010

CHARNWOOD AC’s highly successful senior women’s squad defended their team title in style at the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships, whilst, the next generation of county talent also secured bronze in the Boys Under-13 race.

As the championships returned to the city of Leeds for the first time since 2004 the Charnwood senior women's team comprising of a quartet of British and English internationals led by World cross-country representatives from last year in Amman, Jane Potter, and making a welcome return to racing following long term injury problems Hannah Whitmore, finished 11th (28:54) and 12th (29:01) respectively over the muddy and hilly 8km Roundhay Park course as three time junior European champion Steph Twell claimed victory with a dominant performance in 27:52.

Reigning Midlands champion Gemma Steel, fresh from her Team England debut in Belgium at the LottoCrossCup, secured 16th position (29:28) and Sarah Gaunt in 34th place (30:40) completed the four-to-score team as the Loughborough-based club retained their title in fine style finishing ahead of their major rivals Aldershot, Farnham & District led by race winner Twell and third placed Bristol & West.

The green and gold’s also gained a bronze medal podium position in the Under-13 Boys race where over the 3km course George Duggan (Tonbridge) secured a six second victory ahead of Jack Crabtree (East Cheshire & Tameside) as the Charnwood team comprising of James Hutton (9th in 11:58), Ollie Spencer (19th in 12:05), Ewan Makepeace (36th in 12:20) and Zac Meakin (150th in 13:16) finished third behind Tonbridge and Chiltern Harriers.

Saturday 27th February 2010

ANDY VERNON and Steph Twell under lined the pre-race favourites tags to repeat their recent British Universities performances in some style securing the senior Saucony English national cross-country titles at Roundhay Park, Leeds.

Having won the BUCS title in Stirling earlier in the month UK 10,000m champion Andy Vernon (AFD) clocked a time of 38mins 01secs over the 12km course outpacing Moumin Geele (Newham) by a margin of nine seconds to win the men’s title as Steve Vernon (Stockport) finished third. in 38:20.

With reigning European cross-country champion Hayley Yelling-Higham opting to miss the event, the three time junior European gold medallist Steph Twell claimed the double victory for Aldershot, Farnham & District, as the 20-year-old dominated the senior women’s 8km race taking victory in a time of 27:52 to finish clear of a strong challenge by Loughborough University student Stevie Stockton (28:07) with Hatti Dean (Sheffield) securing the third podium place in 28:12.

Loughborough Alumni Sonia Samuels (Sale) finished 6th in 28:31 with current student Natalie Gray (Maidstone & Medway) also claiming a top-ten finish in 9th place with 28:46.

Charnwood’s World cross-country representatives from last year Jane Potter, and making a welcome return to racing Hannah Whitmore, finished 11th (28:54) and 12th (29:01) respectively, as clubmate and reigning Midlands champion Gemma Steel secured 16th position (29:28) as the Loughborough-based club won the team title.

Full results are available on the following link: www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=68

Saturday 20th February 2010

THE Leicestershire & Rutland men’s team selections for the McCain UK Cross Challenge Final incorporating the Inter-Counties Championships and IAAF World Cross Country Trials that take place on Saturday 13th March at Birmingham’s Cofton Park have been announced.

The event also includes the trials to represent Team GB at the 2010 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on Sunday 28th March.
Full Team Selections:
Those marked * have already confirmed.
Under 13
James Hatton (Charnwood)
Sam Elliot Coritanian)
Ben Craig (Coritanian)
Ollie Spencer (Charnwood)
Ben Djistra (Coritanian)
Eaun Makepeace (Charnwood)
Luke Beeby (Coritanian)
Greg Jones (Nuneaton)
Subs
George Bell (Coritanian)
Robert Moulding (Coritanian)
Luke Jane (Charnwood)
Conor Moorland (Charnwood)
Under 15
Stefan Ashman (Coritanian)
James Nutt (Coritanian)
Xander Tansley (Coritanian)
Andrew Halliwell (Coritanian)
Sam Moore (Charnwood)
William Rawlinson (Coritanian)
Josh McTighe (Coritanian)
Matthew Kirby (Wreake Runners)
Jonathan Monk (Coritanian)
Two out of the three athletes listed above will be selected after the Saucony National Cross Country Championships that take place at Roundhay Park, Leeds, on Saturday 27th February.
Subs
Phillip Maddocks (Coritanian)
Jack Williams (Fleckney and Kibworth)
Harry Buttery (Charnwood)
Under 17
Jake Kench (Coritanian)
Ashley Chambers* (Owls)
Niall McSharry* (Owls)
Will Bourne* (Owls)
Jack Hall (Rugby and Northampton)
Loz Robinson (Stilton striders)
Jamie Short (Fleckney and Kibworth)
Harry Mullen (Coritanian)
Subs
Jake Boat* (Owls)
Luke Baxter (Charnwood)
Joe Wales (Charnwood)
Under 20
Josh Norman* (Owls)
Sam Stabler* (Owls)
Daniel Hallam* (Owls)
Liam Phelan (Coritanian)
Lewis Smart* (Owls)
Patrick Radley* (Owls)
Elliot Hart (Coritanian)
Sam Densham (Charnwood)
Subs
Stephen Maddocks (Coritanian)
Danny Callow (Coritanian)
George Buttery (Charnwood)
Senior Men
Gaz Davies (Owls)
Paul Miles (Owls)
Paul Richardson (Owls)
Mark Powell (Tipton)
Peter Swaine* (Charnwood)
Nigel Stirk (Tipton)
Jason Williams (Owls)
Tim Doran (Charnwood/AFD)
Alistair Watson (Hermitage)
Subs
Steve Mears (Charnwood)
Sean Fenwick (Harborough)
Geoff Bartram (Barrow)
Steve Platts (Owls)
Scott Baxter (Charnwood)
Important event information:
Dear athlete/ Team Manager

Could all athletes and Team managers/Parents etc confirm the availability of the athletes listed above. Please confirm asap (by February 27th) so I can ensure substitutes have sufficient time to prepare.
Substitutes

Each year we generally have a few drop out in each age group and it is therefore important that I know the availability of all substitutes listed.

I am dependant on club team managers contacting those athletes mentioned as I do not receive information about each athlete at the County AA Cross Country Champs or via the Schools League.

This years event is at COFTON PARK, BIRMINGHAM and athletes will need to make their own transport arrangements, however if anyone is experiencing problems with this then please get in touch and I will sort the problem out.

Finally may I offer congratulations to all those selected along with the coaches who have got them into good shape!

Wayne Walker - Team Manager

Tel: 07977111413

www.uka.org.uk/competitions/uk-cross-challenge/

Sunday 14th February 2010

ONESPHORE Nkunzimana and Almensch Belete claimed an impressive double victory for Africa at the latest round of the Iris Lotto CrossCup series held over a snow covered course in Hannut, Belgium.

In the women’s senior race Ethiopia’s Almensch Belete was a class apart taking victory in a time of 19mins 25secs with world cross country championship representative Hatti Dean leading the way for team England finishing fourth in 19:42.

Claire Hallisey in 10th (20:28) and making her international debut, Charnwood’s Gemma Steel 15th in 20:43 completed the England line-up.

Qatar’s Onesphore Nkunzimana prevailed in the men’s senior race in a time of 31mins 06secs where the Team England squad was led by Neilson Hall finishing fifth in 32:06 with compatriot John Pepper one place and one second behind in 32:07 as James Walsh claimed 12th in 32:40 and Rob Budgen 20th in 33:22.

In the junior races Ronnie Sparke and Kate Avery claimed fine individual victories as Team England dominated the events.

Sparke crossed the line in 21mins 13secs ahead of compatriot Ben Norris (21:24) with Karl Billington securing third in 21:28 and making his international debut the Owls Josh Norman finished 6th in 21:53.

Kate Avery led an impressive England 1-2-3 over the line finishing in 15:13 
followed by Grace Nicholls (15:31)
 and Hannah Walker (15:37) with 
Hannah Bateson taking fifth in 16:06.
Leading Results:
Senior Men (10600m)
1 Onesphore Nkunzimama (BDI) 31:06
5 Neilson Hall (ENG) 32:06
6 Jon Pepper (ENG) 32:07
12 James Walsh (ENG) 32:40
20 Rob Budgen (ENG) 33:22
Junior Men (6600m)
1 Ronnie Sparke (ENG) 21:13
2 Ben Norris (ENG) 21:24
3 Karl Billington (ENG) 21:28
6 Josh Norman (ENG) 21:53
Senior Women (10600m)
1 Almensch Belete (ETH) 19:25
4 Hatti Dean (ENG) 19:42
10 Claire Hallisey (ENG) 20:28
15 Gemma Steel (ENG) 20:43
Junior Women (4600m)
1 Kate Avery (ENG) 15:13
2 Grace Nicholls (ENG) 15:31
3 Hannah Walker (ENG) 15:37
5 Hannah Bateson (ENG) 16:06

Tuesday 16th February 2010

MARK Powell and Nicki Nealon were in dominant form as the duo claimed fine individual victories at the final Derby Runner Cross Country League meeting held at Market Bosworth on Sunday (14th February).

Tipton Harrier Mark Powell representing Wigston Phoenix was a class apart in the men’s race as the 31-year-old completed a twenty second victory over the 5.5 mile course ahead of Alastair Watson (Hermitage) in a time of 30mins 33secs.

Watson finished runner-up in 30:53 as Ashley Hurdman led the Staffordshire club Hatton Darts to the league championship title in third place (31:49).

British Masters international Nicki Nealon (Huncote Harriers) prevailed in the women’s race to under-line her dominance of the league this season as the 41-year-old, benefitted from the combined field run jointly with the men, crossed the line in 36:44 to take a third consecutive race victory ahead of Ivanhoe’s Laura Johnson (37:22) with former champion Emma Marvin (Desford) securing third in 37:50.

Overall in the team standing Hatton Darts won the league with Hinckley taking second, whilst, the Second Division title was won by Derby Tri with Hermitage Harriers second as all four teams qualified through to the National Final to be staged at Heanor on Sunday 21st March.

Full individual results are available on the results pages: www.athletics-leics.com/results.html

Saturday 13th February 2010

PAUL Richardson secured a four second victory for the Leicester Owls at the latest round of the Birmingham & District Cross-Country League Division One at Northampton’s Abingdon Park.

Richardson, having celebrated his 28th birthday in the week leading up to the race improved on his runners-up position at the previous fixture in Coventry by holding off the strong challenge of Josh Lilley (Severn) and Matt Lole (Coventry Godiva) to take victory in a time of 32mins 14secs.

With the Aviva World Trials & UK Indoor Championships taking place in Sheffield over the same weekend the Loughborough University squad was slightly depleted as Gary Bradbury (33:13) and Rob Hodges (33:18) were the highest placed finishers for the African Violets in 13th and 14th place respectively.

Full results are available on the following link: www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/images/ResultsDiv113Feb2010.pdf

Friday 5th February 2010

GEMMA STEEL is set to make her international debut representing Team England at the Iris Lotto Cross Cup Meeting that takes place in Hannut, Belgium, on Sunday 14th February.

The 24-year-old Charnwood athlete gains selection having won her first Midlands territorial senior cross-country title at Stafford Common last month.
Full Team England Squads:
Senior Men
James Walsh, Leeds City AC
Robert Bugden, Bristol & West AC
Neilson Hall, Bedford & County AC
Jon Pepper, Enfield & Haringey AC
Senior Women
Hatti Dean, Hallamshire H
Claire Hallissey, Bristol & West AC
Jessica Sparke, Woodford Green with Essex Ladies AC
Gemma Steel, Charnwood AC
Junior Men
Ronnie Sparke, Woodford Green with Essex Ladies AC
Karl Billington, Blackburn H & AC
Ben Norris, Notts AC
Josh Norman, OWLS
Junior Women
Kate Avery (Shildon)
Hannah Bateson ( Lancaster & Morecambe)
Grace Nicholls ( Tonbridge)
Hannah Walker ( (Dacorum & Tring)

www.sport.be/lottocrosscup/

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

BRITISH Masters international Nicki Nealon (Huncote Harriers) and Geoff Beetham (Barrow) claimed the senior victories at the latest fixture of the 2009/10 Derby Runner Cross Country League held in the picturesque surroundings of Grace Dieu Manor on Sunday (31st January).

For the Nealon family this was an especially successful event as Nicki, returning to racing following a bout of glandular fever over the winter months, finished clear of last year’s race winner Laura Johnson (Ivanhoe) in a time of 37mins 06secs with Desford’s Emma Marvin - a former league champion - third (37:36). This despite the leaders taking a wrong turn over the tough demanding five-mile course.

The championship decider for the women’s title will now go down to the last event at Bosworth later this month, where the trio of Nealon, Johnson and Marvin will be looking to challenge current standing leaders, Wreake Runners Zoe Smith and Sally Newman, for the crown.

In the junior races Chris and Rachel Nealon followed in their mum’s footsteps to secure the overall title in both the boy’s (Year 3-4) and girl’s (Year 1-2) sections completing their third consecutive victories.

In the men’s senior race Geoff Beetham representing Barrow completed victory in a time of 31mins 42secs - just a one-second ahead Beaumont’s Phil Chritchlow over the finish line.

Full individual results are available on the results pages: www.athletics-leics.com/results.html

2010 Midlands Territorial Cross Country Championships

Stafford Common

Saturday 30th January 2010

GEMMA STEEL secured the biggest and most impressive victory of her fledgling career to ensure that the Midlands territorial senior women’s cross-country title remains the firm property of Charnwood AC.

Steel, having retained the Leicestershire county title at the beginning of the month followed in the footsteps of the previous two winners of the crown, World cross representatives Jane Potter and Hannah Whitmore, by producing a sparkling performance at Stafford Common where the 24-year-old claimed a hard fought victory just three seconds ahead of Bristol’s Clare Hallissey and third placed Debbie Walters of Birchfield in a time of 31mins 35secs.

In the men’s senior race James Walsh representing Leeds City, the reigning Warwickshire County champion, was the clear winner finishing ahead of Bristol’s Rob Budgen in 40:25.
Leading Results:
Women’s senior race
1 Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC) 31:35
2 Claire Hallissey (Bristol & West AC) 31:38
3 Debbie Walters (Birchfield Harriers) 31:42
4 Imogen Ainsworth (Bristol & West AC) 32:08
5 Claire Martin (Telford AC) 32:26
6 Sarah Waldron (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) 33:26
7 Gemma Hillier (Charnwood AC) 33:35
8 Frances Briscoe (Coventry Godiva Harriers) 33:36
9 Emma Jackson (City of Stoke AC) 34:07
10 Sian Edwards (Kettering Town Harriers) 34:22
Men’s senior race
1 James Walsh (Leeds City AC) 40:25
2 Rob Bugden (Bristol & West AC) 40:29
3 Billy Farquharson (Notts AC) 40:31
4 Tom Russell (Bristol & West AC) 40:39
5 Phil Nicholls (Tipton Harriers) 40:40
6 Bruce Raeside (Notts AC) 40:47
7 Paul Richardson (Owls Leicester) 41:07
8 Phil Hinch (Tipton Harriers) 41:10
9 Gaz Davies (Owls Leicster) 41:22
10 Matt Armstrong (Coventry Godiva Harriers) 41:27
Women’s under-20 race
1 Hayley Munn (Kettering Town Harriers) 20:41
2 Emily Merrick (Bristol & West) 20:44
3 Sara Johnson (Trentham AC) 21:23
Men’s under-20 race
1 Matt Clowes (Staffs Moorlands AC) 27:15
2 Ben Norris (Notts AC) 27:25
3 Josh Norman (Owls Leicester) 27:39
Women’s under-17 race
1 Annabel Gummow (Bristol & West AC) 19:08
2 Kate Holt (City of Stoke AC) 20:01
3 Imogen Wolsey (Team Bath AC) 20:06
Men’s under-17 race
1 Thomas Curr (Stroud & District AC) 23:34
2 Brett Halliwell (Westbury Harriers) 24:12
3 Rhys Park (Bristol & West AC) 24:16
Girls’ under-15 race
1 Sophie Coldwell (Charnwood AC) 15:56
2 Alice Wright (Worcester AC) 16:04
3 Amy Griffiths (Leicester Coritanian) 16:25
Boys’ under-15 race
1 Harvey Brown (Halesowen) 14:14
2 William Paulson (Stroud & District AC) 14:20
3 Zak Tobias (Bristol & West) 14:23
Girls’ under-13 race
1.Hannah Nuttall (Charnwood AC) 10:36
2 Mari Smith (Leicester Coritanian) 10:45
3 Lucy Holt (City of Stoke AC) 10:51

Above photo by Brian Smith.

Thursday 28th January 2010

JANE POTTER successfully retained the Nottinghamshire county cross-country championship senior title for an impressive third consecutive year with a fine breakaway performance to finish clear of Charnwood team mate Sarah Gaunt at Mansfield Berry Hill Park on Saturday 23rd January.

Potter completed a comfortable victory ahead of the field over the 8km course crossing the line in a time of 30mins 23secs and will now look forward to replicating her fine form of 2009 that witnessed the 28-year-old securing her first senior Team GB vest when representing Great Britain at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman where she finished in 51st place.

The 2007 British Universities 10,000m champion Sarah Gaunt (nee. Maude) competing her first race since celebrating getting married in Slovenia over the Christmas holidays secured second place over a minute adrift in a time of 31:25 as the Loughborough University graduate finished ahead of Redhill’s British Masters international Helen Burrell (33:37).

There was further success for the green and golds of Charnwood as Sophie Coldwell won the Under-15 girls 4km title in a time of 15:46.

Sunday 24th January 2010

SONIA Samuels (Sale) and Neilson Hall (Bedford) were the highest placed athletes competing in the colours of Team England at the LXVII Nazioarteko Krosa Cross International in the Spanish town of Elgoibar.

World cross-country representative and Loughborough graduate Sonia Samuels finished in 8th place in the senior women’s race with a time of 23:34 as Ethiopia’s Frehiwat Goshu claimed victory over the 6.624km course in 22:37, whilst, Neilson Hall clocked 33:46 securing a top-ten place in the men’s senior men’s 10km event as 22-year-old Kenyan Leonard Komon, a team gold medallist at the world championships in Amman last year, claimed victory in 32:44.

Charnwood’s British Masters international Tara Krzywicki finished in 11th place in a time of 23:53.

Jonathan Hay (Aldershot, Farnham & District) led home a fine 1-2 for England over the line in the Junior men’s event as the 17-year-old claimed the win in a time of 20:51, whilst, Emily Wallbank (Bedford) and Ruth Haynes (Aldershot, Farnham & District) gained well-deserved podium places in the Junior women’s race finishing in second and third positions respectively 16 seconds adrift of Italian race winner Federica Bevilacqua (16:09), with Melissa Courtney (Shaftesbury Barnet) securing fourth.
Leading Results:
Senior Men (10.796km)
1 Leonard Komon (KEN) 32:44; 10 Neilson Hall (ENG) 33:46; 19 Dave Norman (ENG) 34:31; 20 Phil Nicholls (ENG) 34:38; 23 Jonathan Mellor (ENG) 35:20
Senior Women (6.624km)
1 Frehiwat Goshu (ETH) 22:37; 8 Sonia Samuels (ENG) 23:34; 10 Rebecca Robinson (ENG) 23:51; 11 Tara Krzywicki (ENG) 23:53, 13 Julia Bleasdale (ENG) 24:02
Junior Men (6.624km)
1 Jonathan Hay (ENG) 20.51; 2 Richard Goodman (ENG) 20:54; 7 Harry Ellis (ENG) 21:20; 9 Tom Curr (ENG) 21:29
Junior Women (4.538km)
1 Federica Bevilacqua (ITA) 16:09; 2 Emily Wallbank (ENG) 16:25; 3 Ruth Haynes (ENG) 16:30; 4 Melissa Courtney (ENG) 16:48

The official event web-site is available on the following link: www.mintxeta.com/

Saturday 23rd January 2010

IRELAND’S Mary Cullen completed a convincing home victory at the Antrim International Cross Country.

After finishing a disappointing 12th at the European Cross Country Championships in Dublin last month, Cullen pre-race game plan was to sit in the pack and follow the pace of Hayley Yelling-Higham - the winner of the gold medal at Santry Park.

However, Cullen, the reigning European indoor 3,000 metres bronze medallist decided once the race was under way to press the pace easing to a comfortable win to earn some consolation for her defeat on home soil, where she was a genuine medal contender.

Cullen dominated the 5.4km race from start to finish to blow the opposition apart, with Aniko Kalovics of Hungary second and Jessica Sparke the first Briton home.

Her fine performance pushed Yelling-Higham into fifth position with Loughborough graduate Laura Kenney, coached by George Gandy, finishing 9th in 19:59.

Mike Kigen of Kenya dominated the men's 9km race, adapting well to the muddy conditions and finishing more than 200 metres ahead of Great Britain's Andy Vernon and Mexico's Juan Barrios in a time of 27:49.
Leading Results:
Senior Men (9km)
1 M Kigen (KEN), 27:49; 2 A Vernon (GBR), 28:40; 3 J Luis Barrios (MEX), 28:51; 4 T Mengisteab (ERI), 28:55; 5 M Skinner (GBR), 29:04; 6 M Goose (GBR), 29:24; 7 S Scullion (GBR), 29:43; 8 C Pfigul (AUS), 29:48; 9 D Hawkins (GBR), 29:52; 10 M Mulhare (IRE), 30:01
Women (5.4km)
1 M Cullen (IRE), 18:45; 2 A Kalovics (HUN), 19:16; 3 J Sparke (GBR), 19:26; 4 F Britton (IRE), 19:30; 5 H Yelling-Higham (GBR), 19:39; 6 D DiCrescenzo (USA), 19:41; 7 K Wootton (GBR), 19:42; 8 D Byrne (IRL), 19:54; 9 L Kenney (GBR), 19:59; 10 L Deadman (GBR) 20:03

Sunday 17th January 2010

ANDY Vernon (Aldershot Farnham & District) and Hatti Dean (Hallamshire) were the main senior winners at the latest round of the 2009/10 McCain UK Cross Challenge at Cardiff's Blackweir Fields.

Vernon led home the senior men’s field over the 10km course by a margin of almost half-a-minute in a time of 28mins 12secs clear of Tom Russell (South of England) and AAA 5,000m national champion Peter Riley (28:41) with Loughborough graduate Alex Haines (Cardiff AAC) fourth in 28:44.

World cross-country representative Hatti Dean completed victory to win the women’s title in the 6.5km race clocking 21:16 to finish ahead of Loughborough graduate Ava Hutchinson representing Cardiff (21:25).

Charnwood’s Tara Krzywicki finished in a creditable 6th place in 22:07 with Loughborough students Kirsty Milner (North of England) securing 7th in 22:14 and Scottish Under-20 1500m record-holder Abbey McGhee (Victoria Park City of Glasgow) 10th in 22:34.
Leading Results:
Senior Men (10km)
1-00:28:12-Andy Vernon-Aldershot Farnham & D
2-00:28:41-Tom Russell-South West of England
3-00:28:43-Peter Riley-North of England
4-00:28:44-Alex Haines-Cardiff AAC (Lough Uni)
5-00:28:45-Stephen Scullion-Aldershot Farnham & D
6-00:28:47-Kevin Heywood-South West of England
7-00:29:14-Alun Buckley-North of England
8-00:29:27-Rob Bugden-South West of England
9-00:29:28-Rob Samuel-Wales
10-00:29:33-Rowan Hooper-New Zealand
11-00:29:39-Andrew Rayner-Blackheath & Bromley
12-00:29:41-Craig Hopkins-Swansea Harriers
13-00:29:50-Owain Matthews-Wales
14-00:29:56-James Kelly-Belgrave Harriers
15-00:29:59-Andy Nixon-North of England
16-00:30:01-Matthew Dumigan-Worthing & District
17-00:30:02-Paddy Hamilton-Annadale Striders
18-00:30:05-Austin Davies-Wales
19-00:30:10-Owain Jones-Wales
20-00:30:28-Tom Cornthwaite-North of England
21-00:30:32-Andrew Hunt-Wales
22-00:30:43-Stephen Dawes-Guernsey AAC
23-00:30:52-Nat Lane-Wales
24-00:30:56-Rob Whittle-Basingstoke & Mid Hants (Lough Uni)
25-00:31:02-Mark Jenkin-South West of England
26-00:31:18-Daniel Woolford-Bristol & West AC
27-00:31:37-Ricky Challinor-Wales
28-00:31:45-Alan Rowe-Guernsey Island AC
29-00:32:16-Lee Ladd-Carmarthen Harriers
30-00:32:27-Phillip Parry-Bristol & West
31-00:32:48-Stephen Paterson-San Domenico RC
32-00:32:51-Lewys Winfield-Young-Cardiff AAC
33-00:33:04-Peter Ryder-Cardiff AAC
34-00:33:52-Chris Moore-Aldershot Farnham & D
35-00:34:06-Leigh Hiscox-Pontypirdd Roadents
36-00:34:42-Mark Palser-Les Croupiers AC
37-00:34:45-Daniel Thomas-Swansea Harriers
38-00:36:36-32-Simon Burley-Swindon Harriers
39-00:38:34-49-Frank Handy-New Forest Runners
40-00:41:23-38-Brendan Jones-Les Croupiers RC
41-00:42:24-45-John Magee-Les Croupiers RC
42-00:43:41-70-Angel Lopez-Spain
Senior Women (6.5km)
1-00:21:16-Hatti Dean-Hallamshire Harriers
2-00:21:25-Ava Hutchinson-Cardiff AAC (Lough Uni/Ireland)
3-00:21:36-Andrea Whitcombe-Swansea Harriers
4-00:21:48-Becky Penty-North of England
5-00:21:57-Claire Hallesey-South West of England
6-00:22:07-Tara Krzywicki-Charnwood AC (Lough Uni)
7-00:22:14-Kirsty Milner-North of England (Lough Uni)
8-00:22:32-Emily Adams-Aldershot Farnham & D
9-00:22:33-Bryony Proctor-Blackheath & Bromley
10-00:22:34-Abbey McGhee-Victoria Park City of Glasgow (Lough Uni)
11-00:22:39-Caryl Jones-Wales
12-00:22:57-Tracy Laws-North of England
13-00:23:03-Natasha Doel-Aldershot Farham & D
14-00:23:08-Kate Roberts-Wales
15-00:23:10-Sarah Waldron-Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers
16-00:23:15-Imogen Ainsworth-South West of England
17-00:23:21-Jane Mooney-North of England
18-00:23:51-Louisa Wood-North of England
19-00:23:54-Katherine Humphreys-South West of England
20-00:24:05-Laura Dunn-Edinburgh AC
21-00:24:09-Jenny Jagger-South West of England
22-00:24:11-Alaw Beynon-Thomas-Wales
23-00:24:15-Nicola Knapp-Wales
24-00:24:24-Gina Palletta-Wales
25-00:24:38-Angela Speight-UWIC AC
26-00:24:49-Julia Cooke-Cheltenham
27-00:25:18-Emily Brown-Cardiff AAC
28-00:25:37-Erica Golland-Bristol & West AC
29-00:27:39-Kathryn Davies-Cardiff AAC
30-00:27:49-Hannah Pretty-UWIC AC