Saturday 16th January 2010

GERAINT DAVIES produced a stellar performance to lead an impressive OWLS 1-2 over the line at the third fixture of the 2009/10 Birmingham & District League season at Coventry.

In what is widely regarded as the toughest domestic cross-country league in the United Kingdom 21-year-old Davies improved on his runner-up position to Rory Fraser at the previous weeks Leicestershire county championships by completing a fine individual victory over the Coundon Hall Park course clocking a time of 26mins 46secs ahead of team mate Paul Richardson (27:04) with Coventry Godiva Harrier Ryan Kenney securing third (27:08).

Adam Peers was the highest place athlete for the Loughborough Students as the 21-year-old Liverpool Harrier finished 14th in a time of 27:34 competing in his first race of 2010.

Above photo: Geraint Davies on his way to victory at Coventry.
Photo courtesy of Mick Hall http://mickhall-photos.com/

Wednesday 13th January 2010

GREAT Britain’s European Championships cross-country stars Mo Farah, Hayley Yelling, Nick Goolab, James Wilkinson, Jessica Sparke and Kate Avery are included in the nominations for the European Athlete of the Month Award.

The month of December witnessed the European elite descend on Dublin for the 2009 SPAR European Cross Country Championships.

The 16th edition of the championships on Sunday 13th December was followed by other cross-country races in Europe.

Following this, European Athletics is pleased to announce that athletes from 10 countries have been nominated for the European Athlete of the Month award for December.

At the end of each month, a panel of experts produces a shortlist of the outstanding athletes and performances achieved by European athletes during that month which is mailed to Europe's athletics media and thousands of fans who have already signed up to receive news from European Athletics.

The poll is situated in the Fan Zone of the European Athletics website and the public, the media and a group of expert statisticians will cast their votes with each category counting as 33.3 percent of the vote.

The winner of each poll will be awarded 10 points, second nine points, etc. and the athlete with the most points after the three different polls have been counted will be declared the winner. In the unlikely event of a tie, Hansjörg Wirz, the president of European Athletics, will have the casting vote.

The voting will close on Tuesday 19th January at noon CET.

The European Athlete of the Month initiative was launched in January 2007 and is designed to recognise outstanding performers at all levels of the sport in Europe.

No athlete who has previously served a two-year doping ban can be nominated for the European Athlete of the Month.

The winning male and female athletes of the monthly awards will be announced and profiled on the European Athletics website.

To vote click on the following link: www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4760&Itemid=208

Saturday 9th January 2010

ETHIOPIA’s Kenenisa Bekele suffered a surprise defeat by Kenya’s Joseph Ebuya in the men's race as compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba was a class apart to win the women’s race at the BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross Country.

Great Britain's Steph Twell may have not matched the awesome performance of Tirunesh Dibaba, the Olympic 5000 and 10000m champion, who over the final lap of the snow covered 5.8 kilometres course completed an easy victory in a time of 21mins 37secs.

However, Twell and fellow Brit Hayley Yelling-Higham, a place in front of her sharing the same time of 21mins 51secs, made Vivian Cheruiyot and Kalkidan Gezahegn fight every inch of the way before the Kenyan and Ethiopian claimed second and third.

It was a spirited display from the British pair particularly Yelling-Higham just a month after winning the European Cross Country crown for a second time only a few weeks after coming out of retirement.

However most eyes were on Twell particularly from a supportive crowd who were casting eyes on the world junior 1500m gold medallist for the first time since switching nationality from England to across the border last July.

While Ethiopia's Dibaba, regaining the title she clinched at the inaugural meeting six years ago, was in a class of her own, the race for second spot was always wide open.

The 20-year-old Aldershot athlete didn't disappoint them as she mixed it gamely with Dibaba, Cheruiyot winner of last summer's world 5000m title and Gezahegn who took silver when she won her global 1500m crown in 2008.

The host nation's stars gave it their very best shot trying to disrupt the race tempo, but ultimately the finishing speed of Cheruiyot and Gezahegn proved decisive in a thrilling last 400m.

Twell, whose track aspirations last summer were jolted when failing to progress past her heat at the World Championships, was also a disappointment when placing a disappointing 11th at the European Cross in Dublin.

However the London 2012 Olympic Games medal prospect, believes after finally seeing her training going in the right direction, that her career is back on track towards that task.

The three-time European junior champion, added: "I've never raced her before but hopefully she'll know who I am now."

While Dibaba's running on snow for the first time saw her reputation remain supreme, her even more high profile teammate Kenenisa Bekele saw his awesome credentials take a major denting.

The world's greatest-ever cross country runner was in fairness running over the terrain for the first time since scoring a sixth World Championships victory at the Holyrood Park venue in March 2008.

Bekele admitted he had undertaken some positive training sessions before coming to the Scottish capital via London where last Thursday he visited the Olympic Park in east London.

Loughborough graduate Chris Thompson was the first Briton home finishing seventh in 29min 52sec, a huge distance behind Ebuya who savoured his milestone success in 28min 41sec.

Mo Farah paid the price for going off too quickly in the domestic 4km when after opening what looked like being a winning lead, he fell to the swords of Ricky Stevenson and Steve Vernon.

Stevenson 21, the last Briton to run a sub four minute mile and Vernon runner-up 12 months ago, roped in the former EuroCross champion who was struggling from his early exertions, on the final circuit.

Farah tried desperately to stay in contact but faded when his opponents put in another testing surge before Stevenson scoring the biggest win of his career, outpaced Vernon by three seconds to win in 13min 20sec.

Farah, keeping his chin up before going to Kenya for an altitude camp on Tuesday, said: "I went off too hard and at the end I had nothing left.

"I've got to put this to the back of my mind and come back positive. I promise you, I'll come back stronger."
Leading Results:
Men
4km
1 R Stevenson 13:20
2 S Vernon 13:23
3 M Farah 13:28
4 T Lancashire 13:43
5 M Goose 13:45
6 M Draper 13:47
7 A Baddeley 13:54
8 R Russell 14:08
9 B Raeside 14:11
10, M Barnes 14:14
9km
1 J Ebuya (Kenya) 28:41
2 T Mbishei (Kenya) 28:43
3 E Kipchoge (Kenya) 29:04
4 K Bekele (Ethiopia) 29:17
5 J-L Barrios (Mexico) 29:25
6 S Lebid (Ukraine) 29:51
7 C Thompson (GB) 29:52
8, M Skinner (GB) 30:01
9 R McLeod (GB) 30:19
10 L Merrien (GB) 30:22
Women
6km
1 T Dibaba (Ethiopia) 21:37
2 V Cheruiyot (Kenya) 21:47
3 K Gezahegn (Ethiopia) 21:48
4 H Yelling-Higham (GB) 21:51
5 S Twell (GB) 21:51
6 M Chemos (Kenya) 21:51
7 J Sparke (GB) 22:02
8 F Murray (GB) 22:19
9 J Augusto (Portugal) 22:54
10 L Deadman (GB) 22:568

Saturday 9th January 2010

UNIVERSITY of New Mexico student Rory Fraser and Charnwood’s Gemma Steel have won the senior titles at the 2010 Leicestershire County Cross Country Championships held over a snow covered Brocks Hill Park course.

British U23 international Fraser outpaced OWLS team mate Gaz Davies to win the men’s title over 10k in a time of 33mins 19mins as Steel finished clear of Charnwood compatriot Gemma Hillier to retain the women’s crown with a mark of 25:43 in the 6k race.
Full Results:
Senior Men 10,000m
1-237-33:19-Rory Fraser-OWLS AC-sen
2-240-33:25-Geraint Davies-OWLS AC-sen
3-235-34:28-Tim Hartley-Notts AC-sen
4-247-34:29-Mark Powell-Tipton Harriers-sen
5-122-34:44-Daniel Hallam-OWLS AC-u20
6-242-35:34-Paul Miles-OWLS AC-sen
7-120-35:45-Josh Norman-OWLS AC-u20
8-123-35:46-Sam Stabler-OWLS AC-u20
9-208-35:49-Peter Swaine-Charnwood AC-sen
10-381-36:08-Jason Williams-OWLS AC-master
11-390-36:22-Nigel Stirk-Tipton Harriers-master
12-200-36:41-Tim Doran-Aldershot Farnham & District-sen
13-214-36:53-Alistair Watson-Hermitage Harriers-sen
14-209-37:05-Stephen Meers-Charnwood AC-sen
15-350-37:19-Sean Fenwick-Harborough AC-master
16-204-37:27-Geoff Bartrum-Barrow Runners-sen
17-112-37:43-Scott Baxter-Charnwood AC-u20
18-216-38:02-Chris Jordan-Hinckley RC-sen
19-380-38:06-Steve Platts-OWLS AC-master
20-116-38:16-Liam Phelan-Leicester Coritanian AC-u20
21-121-38:29-Lewis Smart-OWLS AC-u20
22-236-38:34-Tom Bell-OWLS AC-sen
23-222-38:41-Carl Sommer-Huncote Harriers-sen
24-228-38:59-Adam Taylor-Fleckney & Kibworth-sen
25-212-39:12-Mark Cauldwell-Charnwood AC-sen
26-374-39:21-Gareth Deacon-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
27-206-39:32-Richard Brown-Charnwood AC-sen
28-372-39:33-Rob Sheen-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
29-118-39:36-Paddy Radley-OWLS AC-u20
30-376-39:42-Dave Pearce-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
31-115-39:54-Elliott Hart-Leicester Coritanian AC-u20
32-391-39:56-Alex Webster-West End Runners-master
33-393-39:58-Jonathan Burch-Wigston Phoenix-master
34-114-40:11-Stephen Maddocks-Leicester Coritanian AC-u20
35-349-40:28-William Clapp-Harborough AC-master
36-442-40:57-Richard Bettsworth-Wreake Runners-master
37-387-40:59-Darren Glover-Stilton Striders-master
38-217-41:03-Dave Masser-Hinckley RC-sen
39-113-41:15-Sam Densham-Charnwood AC-u20
40-354-41:24-Martin Gore-Harborough AC-master
41-211-41:27-Tom Whitmore-Charnwood AC-sen
42-384-41:34-Lee Tomlinson-Hermitage Harriers-master
43-361-41:54-David Egginton-Huncote Harriers-master
44-202-42:03-Dave Battersby-Barrow Runners-sen
45-233-42:07-Dave Saunders-Leicester Coritanian AC-sen
46-215-42:09-Robert Hall-McNair-Hinckley RC-sen
47-437-42:21-Jim Ketteringham-Wreake Runners-master
48-383-42:23-Michael Davies-OWLS AC-master
49-368-42:33-Chris Talbot-Huncote Harriers-master
50-229-42:36-Steve Hollingsworth-Fleckney & Kibworth-sen
51-438-42:39-Mark Bush-Wreake Runners-master
52-363-42:40-Graeme Slight-Huncote Harriers-master
53-210-42:50-Alistair Parkin-Charnwood AC-sen
54-353-43:10-David Waddington-Harborough AC-master
55-373-43:31-Robin Brookes-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
56-234-43:51-Carl Voisey-Leicester Coritanian AC-sen
57-378-44:00-Nick Wilson-Nuneaton Harriers-master
58-346-44:07-Mark Whitmore-Charnwood AC-master
59-226-44:13-Mark Gregory-Huncote Harriers-sen
60-221-44:17-Adam Brooks-Harborough AC-sen
61-369-44:29-Andrew Woolley-Huncote Harriers-master
62-446-44:36-Andy Ball-Huncote Harriers-master
63-392-44:49-Colin Baxter-Wigston Phoenix-master
64-232-45:06-Michael Haynes-Leicester Coritanian AC-sen
65-223-45:09-Paul Guest-Huncote Harriers-sen
66-439-45:17-Mark Jelley-Wreake Runners-master
67-227-45:37-Noel Houlihan-Fleckney & Kibworth-sen
68-342-46:04-John Rees-Barrow Runners-master
69-397-46:09-Rob Gregory-Wigston Phoenix-master
70-365-46:13-Joe O'Flynn-Huncote Harriers-master
71-444-46:16-Chris Perry-Barrow Runners-master
72-443-46:29-Nick Dilkes-Wreake Runners-master
73-358-46:51-Shane Edge-Harborough AC-master
74-348-47:16-Dave Lawrie-Desford Striders-master
75-347-47:22-Duncan Dickie-Charnwood AC-master
76-388-47:24-Andy Robinson-Stilton Striders-master
77-219-47:40-Dave Smith-Hinckley RC-sen
78 399 47:44 Craig Baker Wigston Phoenix master
79 395 47:47 Les Chesterton Wigston Phoenix master
80-394-48:38-Mick Jordan-Wigston Phoenix-master
81-225-48:49-Mike Tansey-Huncote Harriers-sen
82-362-49:03-Phil Watts-Huncote Harriers-master
83-360-49:09-Alan Fordham-Harborough AC-master
84-203-49:41-Dean Tonks-Barrow Runners-sen
85-445-50:04-Nigel Hillier-Barrow Runners-master
86-218-50:24-Andy Lauder-Hinckley RC-sen
87-398-50:36-Nigel Ayres-Wigston Phoenix-master
88-224-50:42-Mick Walton-Huncote Harriers-sen
89-220-50:51-Neil Smith-Hinckley RC-sen
90-370-50:57-Colin Pickering-Huncote Harriers-master
91-440-51:26-Andy Steel-Wreake Runners-master
92-441-51:57-Phil McNeelance-Wreake Runners-master
93-343-52:53-Colin Rimmer-Birstall RC-master
94-340-54:19-Kevan Naylor-Barrow Runners-master
95-379-54:42-Michael McSharry-OWLS AC-master
96-245-63:52-Wayne Walker-OWLS AC-sen
97-359-65:50-David Oram-Harborough AC-master
Team:
The team result is the men’s race result.
Masters 10,000m
1-381-36:08-Jason Williams-OWLS AC-master
2-390-36:22-Nigel Stirk-Tipton Harriers-master
3-350-37:19-Sean Fenwick-Harborough AC-master
4-380-38:06-Steve Platts-OWLS AC-master
5-374-39:21-Gareth Deacon-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
6-372-39:33-Rob Sheen-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
7-376-39:42-Dave Pearce-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
8-391-39:56-Alex Webster-West End Runners-master
9-393-39:58-Jonathan Burch-Wigston Phoenix-master
10-349-40:28-William Clapp-Harborough AC-master
11-442-40:57-Richard Bettsworth-Wreake Runners-master
12-387-40:59-Darren Glover-Stilton Striders-master
13-354-41:24-Martin Gore-Harborough AC-master
14-384-41:34-Lee Tomlinson-Hermitage-master
15-361-41:54-David Egginton-Huncote Harriers-master
16-437-42:21-Jim Ketteringham-Wreake Runners-master
17-383-42:23-Michael Davies-OWLS AC-master
18-368-42:33-Chris Talbot-Huncote Harriers-master
19-438-42:39-Mark Bush-Wreake Runners-master
20-363-42:40-Graeme Slight-Huncote Harriers-master
21-353-43:10-David Waddington-Harborough AC-master
22-373-43:31-Robin Brookes-Leicester Coritanian AC-master
23-378-44:00-Nick Wilson-Nuneaton Harriers-master
24-346-44:07-Mark Whitmore-Charnwood AC-master
25-369-44:29-Andrew Woolley-Huncote Harriers-master
26-446-44:36-Andy Ball-Huncote Harriers-master
27-392-44:49-Colin Baxter-Wigston Phoenix-master
28-439-45:17-Mark Jelley-Wreake Runners-master
29-342-46:04-John Rees-Barrow Runners-master
30-397-46:09-Rob Gregory-Wigston Phoenix-master
31-365-46:13-Joe O'Flynn-Huncote Harriers-master
32-444-46:16-Chris Perry-Barrow Runners-master
33-443-46:29-Nick Dilkes-Wreake Runners-master
34-358-46:51-Shane Edge-Harborough AC-master
35-348-47:16-Dave Lawrie-Desford Striders-master
36-347-47:22-Duncan Dickie-Charnwood AC-master
37-388-47:24-Andy Robinson-Stilton Striders-master
38-399-47:44-Craig Baker-Wigston Phoenix-master
39-395-47:47-Les Chesterton-Wigston Phoenix-master
40-394-48:38-Mick Jordan-Wigston Phoenix-master
41-362-49:03-Phil Watts-Huncote Harriers-master
42-360-49:09-Alan Fordham-Harborough AC-master
43-445-50:04-Nigel Hillier-Barrow Runners-master
44-398-50:36-Nigel Ayres-Wigston Phoenix-master
45-370-50:57-Colin Pickering-Huncote Harriers-master
46-440-51:26-Andy Steel-Wreake Runners-master
47-441-51:57-Phil McNeelance-Wreake Runners-master
48-343-52:53-Colin Rimmer-Birstall RC-master
49-340-54:19-Kevan Naylor-Barrow Runners-master
50-379-54:42-Michael McSharry-OWLS AC-master
51-359-65:50-David Oram-Harborough AC-master
Team:
1-Leicester Coritanian AC-18 (5, 6, 7)-
2-OWLS AC-22 (1, 4, 17)
3-Harborough AC-26 (3, 10, 13)
4-Wreake Runners-46 (19, 28, 33)
5-Huncote Harriers-53 (15, 18, 20)
6-Wigston Phoenix-66 (9, 27, 30)
7-Barrow Runners-104 (29, 32, 43)
Under 20 Men 10,000m
1-122-34:44-Daniel Hallam-OWLS AC
2-120-35:45-Josh Norman-OWLS AC
3-123-35:46-Sam Stabler-OWLS AC
4-112-37:43-Scott Baxter-Charnwood AC
5-116-38:16-Liam Phelan-Leicester Coritanian AC
6-121-38:29-Lewis Smart-OWLS AC
7-118-39:36-Paddy Radley-OWLS AC
8-115-39:54-Elliott Hart-Leicester Coritanian AC
9-114-40:11-Stephen Maddocks-Leicester Coritanian AC
10-113-41:15-Sam Densham-Charnwood AC
Team:
1-OWLS AC-6 (1, 2, 3)
2-Leicester Coritanian AC-22 (5, 8, 9)
Under 17 Men 6,000km
1-136-25:13-Jacob Kench-Lutterworth College
2-137-25:35-Niall McSharry-OWLS AC
3-143-26:41-William Bourne-OWLS AC
4-145-27:00-Jack Hall-Rugby & Northampton AC
5-146-27:00-Loz Robinson-Stilton Striders
6-133-27:35-Jamie Short-Fleckney & Kibworth RC
7-135-28:10-Harry Mullen-Leicester Coritanian AC
8-141-28:10-Jake Boat-OWLS AC
9-134-28:21-Jake Watson-Harborough AC
10-130-28:26-Mark Freeman-Charnwood AC
11-132-28:43-Joe Wales-Charnwood AC
12-149-28:55-Josh Slingsby-Wreake Runners
13-150-29:47-Greg Webb-Wreake Runners
14-148-30:02-James Butcher-Stilton Striders
15-147-30:52-Jon Appleby-Stilton Striders
16-139-31:36-Adam Pinkowski-OWLS AC
17-154-32:08-Jim Payne-Wreake Runners
18-138-32:58-Rupert Radley-OWLS AC
19-131-34:15-Luke Baxter-Charnwood AC
20-151-38:02-Ellis Jones-Wreake Runners
Team:
1-OWLS AC-13 (2, 3, 8)
2-Stilton Striders-34 (5, 14, 15)
3-Charnwood AC-40 (10, 11, 19)
4-Wreake Runners-42 (12, 13, 17)
Under 15 Boys 4,000km
1-463-13:44-Stefan Ashman-Leicester Coritanian AC
2-458-14:26-James Nutt-Leicester Coritanian AC
3-461-14:32-Xander Tansey-Leicester Coritanian AC
4-465-15:16-Andrew Halliwell-Leicester Coritanian AC
5-452-15:23-Sam Moore-Charnwood AC
6-460-15:28-William Rawlinson-Leicester Coritanian AC
7-457-15:30-Phillip Maddocks-Leicester Coritanian AC
8-456-15:34-Jack Williams-Fleckney & Kibworth
9-471-15:46-Matt Kirby-Wreake Runners
10-450-15:59-Mathew Cox-Charnwood AC
11-459-16:12-Josha McTighe-Leicester Coritanian AC
12-467-16:23-Jack Barber-OWLS AC
13-451-16:32-Alec Dickie-Charnwood AC
14-455-16:45-Chris Parks Bowen-Fleckney & Kibworth
15-454-16:56-Luke Mathers-Fleckney & Kibworth
16-470-17:53-George Bettsworth-Wreake Runners
17-462-18:03-Zac Anderson-Leicester Coritanian AC
18-466-18:04-Harry Short-Fleckney & Kibworth
19-472-19:17-Rowan Thompson-Wreake Runners
20-474-19:22-Tom Johnson-Wreake Runners
Team:
1-Leicester Coritanian AC-6 (1, 2, 3)
2-Charnwood AC-28 (5, 10, 13)
3-Fleckney & Kibworth-37 (8, 14, 15)
4-Wreake Runners-44 (9, 16, 19)
Under 13 Boys 3,000m
1-301-14:53-James Hatton-Charnwood AC
2-321-15:05-Samuel Elliott-Leicester Coritanian AC
3-322-15:32-Ben Craig-Leicester Coritanian AC
4-304-15:44-Ollie Spencer-Charnwood AC
5-319-15:52-Ben Martijn Dijkstra-Leicester Coritanian AC
6-302-16:12-Euan Makepeace-Charnwood AC
7-317-16:18-Luke Beeby-Leicester Coritanian AC
8-320-16:25-George Bell-Leicester Coritanian AC
9-324-17:13-Gregory Jones-Nuneaton Harriers
10-305-17:23-Conor Moorland-Charnwood AC
11-303-17:34-Zac Meakin-Charnwood AC
12-318-17:46-Robbie Moulding-Leicester Coritanian AC
13-325-18:02-Robert Jones-Nuneaton Harriers
14-313-18:21-Nathan Lewis-Ivanhoe Robins
15-311-18:52-Oscar Trier-Fleckney & Kibworth
16-327-19:17-Ben Taylor-OWLS AC
17-312-19:39-Oliver Freer-Fleckney & Kibworth
18-315-19:41-Tom Riley-Ivanhoe Robins
19-309-20:00-Ben Sibson Flood-Charnwood AC
Team:
1-Leicester Coritanian AC-10 (2, 3, 5)
2-Charnwood AC-11 (1, 4, 6)
Senior Women 6,000km
1-406-25:43-Gemma Steel-Charnwood AC
2-405-26:59-Gemma Hillier-Charnwood AC
3-421-28:10-Nicola Roder-Leicester Tri Club
4-404-28:18-Katie Lomas-Charnwood AC
5-420-28:48-Helen Rollins-Kettering Town Harriers
6-422-30:10-Paris Williams-Loughborough University
7-416-31:59-Lorna Waters-Fleckney & Kibworth
8-413-32:59-Claire Quigley/Naing-Huncote Harriers
9-419-33:06-Nadia Ladak-Fleckney & Kibworth
10-409-33:34-Linda Whitelegg-Hinckley RC
11-418-34:09-Jody Ward-Fleckney & Kibworth
12-417-35:32-Claire Beech-Fleckney & Kibworth
13-401-35:49-Tracey Powell-Barrow Runners
14-414-39:35-Alison Adcock-Huncote Harriers
15-415-42:46-Seema Patel-Huncote Harriers
16-410-43:07-Wendy Nicholson-Hinckley RC
17-412-46:48-Rachel Smith-Hinckley RC
Team:
The team result is the women’s race result.
Masters 6,000km
1-11-29:13-Nicki Nealon-Huncote Harriers
2-8-29:58-Hannah Eveleigh-Harborough AC
3-12-31:03-Mary Hall-Nuneaton Harriers
4-1-31:10-Monique Raaijmakers-Barrow Runners
5-18-31:27-Julie Lamb-Wigston Phoenix
6-3-32:01-Kate Ramsey-Barrow Runners
7-7-33:50-Karen Brooks-Harborough AC
8-14-35:35-Simone Wilson-Nuneaton Harriers
9-10-36:03-Sue Gardner-Huncote Harriers
10-6-36:04-Julia Dickie-Charnwood AC
11-4-36:10-Heather North-Charnwood AC
12-13-36:23-Debbie Suffolk-Nuneaton Harriers
13-9-37:51-Bev Parry-Huncote Harriers
14-2-38:29-Cath Eastwood-Barrow Runners
15-20-41:41-Maria Payne-Wreake Runners
Team:
1-Nuneaton Harriers-23 (3, 8, 12)
2-Huncote Harriers-23 (1, 9, 13)
3-Barrow Runners-24 (4, 6, 14)
Under 20 Women 5,000km
1-102-28:26-Lucy Hall-Charnwood AC
2-101-29:34-Amber McGee-Charnwood AC
3-103-32:11-Katie North-Charnwood AC
4-109-32:55-Jenny Smith-Wreake Runners
5-107-35:11-Emma Brown-Leicester Coritanian AC
Team:
1-Charnwood AC-6 (1, 2, 3)
Under 17 Women 5,000m
1-436-23:05-Freya Vincent-Leicester Coritanian AC
2-426-24:29-Lizzie Mellor-Charnwood AC

3-428-25:06-Catya Blackledge-Charnwood AC
4-433-25:46-Catherine Robertson-Leicester Coritanian AC
5-434-26:09-Georgina Brooks-Leicester Coritanian AC
6-430-26:33-Lucy Arkinstall-Charnwood AC
7-297-26:45-Emily Taylor-Harborough AC
8-431-27:10-Emma Nutt-Charnwood AC
9-432-28:08-Sarah Ward-Harborough AC
Team:
1-Leicester Coritanian AC-10 (1, 4, 5)
2-Charnwood AC-11 (2, 3, 6)
Under 15 Girls 4,000km
1-280-15:47-Megan Fairbrother-Leicester Coritanian AC
2-282-16:07-Amy Griffiths-Leicester Coritanian AC
3-271-17:04-Kim Jalland-Charnwood AC
4-286-17:12-April Beeby-Leicester Coritanian AC
5-278-17:20-Tilly Abraham-Leicester Coritanian AC
6-270-17:25-Joni Ashford-Charnwood AC
7-279-17:38-Emily Orton-Leicester Coritanian AC
8-291-18:16-Jasmin Southam-Stilton Striders
9-283-18:27-Rachel Borrows-Leicester Coritanian AC
10-293-18:57-Ellen McNeelance-Wreake Runners
11-288-19:20-Chloe Tillin-Nuneaton Harriers
12-275-20:36-Vada Jalland-Charnwood AC
13-273-21:33-Megan Lewis-Charnwood AC
14-295-21:55-Claire Withers-Wreake Runners
Team:
1-Leicester Coritanian AC-7 (1, 2, 4)
2-Charnwood AC-21 (3, 6, 12)
Under 13 Girls 3,000km
1-42-15:59-Hannah Nuttall-Charnwood AC
2-86-16:28-Mari Smith-Leicester Coritanian AC
3-41-16:33-Hannah Cox-Charnwood AC
4-40-16:44-Georgia Gartside-Charnwood AC
5-74-16:46-Helena Keenan-Manor High School
6-43-16:53-Emily Hollis-Charnwood AC
7-70-17:05-Jemima Green-Leicester Coritanian AC
8-73-17:13-Georgia Bevins-Manor High School
9-67-17:21-India Mitchell-Jarvis-Leicester Coritanian AC
10-72-17:25-Holly Bevins-Manor High School
11-59-17:33-Bethany Ellis-Harborough AC
12-60-17:46-Martha Clapp-Harborough AC
13-44-17:49-Lucy Jones-Charnwood AC
14-68-18:02-Rebecca Orton-Leicester Coritanian AC
15-45-18:45-Eliza Dickie-Charnwood AC
16-88-18:53-Beth Scott-Wreake Runners
17-52-19:03-Ioni Ashford-Charnwood AC
18-65-19:17-Beth Taylor-Leicester Coritanian AC
19-75-19:18-Yasmin Gibson-Manor High School
20-71-19:25-Shannon Anderson-Leicester Coritanian AC
21-46-19:49-Karyn Lewis-Charnwood AC
22-47-19:57-Rebekah Stretton-Charnwood AC
23-57-20:00-Tegan Allen-Fleckney & Kibworth
24-63-20:35-Zoe Harris-Ivanhoe Robins
25-58-20:39-Lucy Collier-Fleckney & Kibworth
26-66-20:42-Lucy Whitehead-Leicester Coritanian AC
27-48-21:04-Lauren Cooledge-Charnwood AC
28-53-21:05-Saskia Sharpe-Charnwood AC
29-64-21:38-Abby Williamson-Ivanhoe Robins
30-84-21:43-Charlotte Heaps-Wreake Runners
31-49-21:48-Chandini Stensel-Charnwood AC
32-85-21:59-Gabrielle McNeelance-Wreake Runners
33-50-22:02-Paris Alexander-Charnwood AC
34-54-24:27-Sophie Edwards-Charnwood AC
Team:
1-Charnwood AC-8 (1, 3, 4)
2-Leicester Coritanian AC-18 (2, 7, 9)
3-Manor High School-23 (5, 8, 10)
4-Wreake Runners-78 (16, 30, 32)

Friday 8th January 2010

WITH freezing conditions and snow blighting the whole of Great Britain, the BUPA Great Edinburgh International Cross Country, the first IAAF Permit race of the year, is set to take place on Saturday (9th January).

In the women's race competing over the 6km course in Holyrood Park will be Berlin 2009 1500m silver medallist Lisa Dobriskey. The 26-year-old Loughborough-based athlete will be running competitively for the first time since marrying fellow international athlete Ricky Soos a month ago. Steph Twell will compete on home soil. The three-time European junior champion has recently switched nationalities from English to Scottish and will compete in a Scottish vest for the second time this winter.

After a fourth place finish in Italy on Wednesday, the 20-year-old Twell will line up alongside an impressive field which includes Olympic 5000m and 10000m gold medallist Tirunesh Dibaba and Vivian Cheruiyot, winner of the world 5000m crown at last year's World Championships.

Hayley Yelling, who came out of retirement to win a second SPAR European Cross Country Championships last month in Dublin, will also be competing.

The 36-year-old British school teacher reclaimed the title she first won in 2004 having only started training again seriously in November 2009.

The men's 9km race is set to feature Kenenisa Bekele, making his fifth visit to the city, reigning world Cross Country champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia and Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, the 2005 Great Edinburgh International winner.

Britain's Mo Farah and Andy Baddeley will compete in a domestic 4km race.

Thursday 7th January 2010

STEPH Twell, just three days before competing at the Bupa Great Edinburgh International Cross Country, finished fourth at the Campaccio meeting in Italy on Wednesday.

The three-times former European Junior champion figured prominently in the early stages of the six kilometres race leading through the halfway distance ahead of Russia's Irina Sergeeva, Aniko Kalovics of Hungary and the host nation's Elena Romagnolo.

However she could not respond when Kalovics raised the tempo with a sustained burst a kilometre later to score a third victory at the snow covered San Giorgio su Legnano venue.

Kalovics crossed the line in 20 minutes 17 seconds, a healthy eight seconds ahead of Romagnolo with Kenyan Federica Dal Ri moving through the field to finish third in 20min 27sec.

Twell, who posted a time of 20 min 37 sec will now be hoping for a quick recovery before her Edinburgh outing where she faces some awesome opposition including Tirunesh Dibaba and Vivian Cheruiyot.

Dibaba of Ethiopia is a three-times World Cross gold medallist and reigning Olympic 5000m and 10000m champion while her Kenyan rival won last summer's World 5000m crown in Berlin.

Eliud Kipchoge, who is also competing in the Scottish capital, failed to repeat his victory of last year losing out in a sprint finish to Abreheam Cherkos Feleke.

The Ethiopian clinched the 10km contest by a second from Kipchoge in 28min 52sec with Moses Masai following home his Kenyan teammate in 28min 56sec.

Saturday 14th November 2009

STEPH Twell celebrated her debut for Scotland with a runaway victory at the Gateshead International Cross Country on Saturday.

The three-time European junior champion, who switched allegiance across the border from England in July, won for the second successive year with another impeccable performance.

Twell was initially happy to stay with the leading group of four opponents for the first lap before powering away to take the eight-kilometre race in a time of 28 minutes 25 seconds.

The 20-year-old athlete broke clear on the second circuit, quickly establishing a four-second advantage which she increased to 15 seconds on the penultimate lap.

The world junior 1,500 metres gold medallist pushed herself even harder on the final transit of the Riverside Bowl and was rewarded by going even further ahead.

The Aldershot athlete was in a class of her own and crossed the line 22 seconds ahead of Helen Clitheroe, with Loughborough University graduate Sonia Samuels finishing third in 29 minutes.

Twell commented afterwards: "It was a really tough course but that's the sort I enjoy racing over and although there was one big hill I thoroughly enjoyed its inclusion this year.

"But I really had to concentrate and continue making the sustained effort because it is difficult once you are away and running on your own.

"It was also a nice surprise to see I am in such good shape and I was also really proud to put on a Scottish vest for the first time."

Twell will now concentrate on qualifying for the British team at the European Cross Country trials, which are being held in Liverpool in a fortnight's time.

The men's one-lap international race over two kilometres produced a local victory for Ricky Stephenson of New Marske Harriers, who pulled clear to win in five minutes 58 seconds.
Leading Results:
Senior Men
1 5:58 Ricky Stevenson U23 M 21 14.11.88 New Marske/Teeside Uni
2 6:04 Tsegai Tewelde U20 M 19 08.12.89 Shettleston/Glasgow City/Eritrea
3 6:12 Chris Parr SEN M 25 13.11.84 Gateshead/Loughborough Uni
4 6:18 Andy Wiles U23 M 21 26.04.88 New Marske
5 6:19 Lewis Moses U23 M 22 09.01.87 Darlington/Loughborough Uni/Gateshead
6 6:23 James Thie SEN M 31 27.06.78 Cardiff
7 6:25 Matthew Nicholson SEN M 27 26.05.82 Morpeth
8 6:28 Nick Samuels SEN M 28 13.06.81 Sale Harriers Manchester/Loughborough Uni
9 6:32 Ryan Stephenson SEN M 23 06.08.86 Gateshead
10 6:35 Danny Barkes U23 M 23 02.10.86 Mansfield
11 6:54 Andrew Friend U23 M 22 02.08.87 Cardiff/UWIC
12 6:58 Michael Kershaw U20 M 19 03.11.90 Cwmbran
13 7:54 Sam Annagui SEN M iD
14 8:27 Andrew Featherstone SEN M 27 10.06.82 Billingham
Senior Women
1 28:25 53 Stephanie Twell U23 W 20 17.08.89 Aldershot, Farnham & District/St. Mary's Uni
2 28:47 52 Helen Clitheroe V35 W 35 02.01.74 Preston
3 29:00 51 Sonia Samuels SEN W 30 16.05.79 Sale Harriers Manchester/Loughborough Uni
4 29:03 50 Faye Fullerton SEN W 25 31.05.84 Havering Mayesbrook
5 29:07 49 Gemma Miles SEN W 29 27.10.80 Kendal
6 29:17 48 Hatti Dean SEN W 27 02.02.82 Hallamshire/Sheffield Uni
7 29:19 47 Stevie Stockton U23 W 20 23.08.89 Vale Royal/Loughborough Uni
8 29:26 46 Tara Krzywicki V35 W 35 09.03.74 Charnwood
9 29:28 45 Lauren Deadman SEN W 25 27.03.84 Havering Mayesbrook
10 29:32 44 Kirsty Milner U23 W 20 07.04.89 Trafford/Loughborough Uni
11 29:36 43 Morag MacLarty SEN W 23 10.02.86 Central
12 29:52 42 Rebecca Robinson SEN W 27 28.10.82 Kendal
13 29:54 41 Natalie Gray U23 W 21 17.02.88 Medway & Maidstone/Loughborough Uni
14 30:11 40 Hannah Whitmore SEN W 25 24.02.84 Charnwood
15 30:18 39 Nicola Rogers SEN W 26 28.05.83 Basildon
16 30:22 38 Elspeth Curran U23 W 20 27.07.89 Kilbarchan/Team West
17 30:25 37 Lizzie Adams SEN W 23 19.05.86 Hallamshire/Knavesmire
18 30:42 36 Tina Brown SEN W 33 22.08.76 Coventry
19 30:45 35 Rosie Smith SEN W 24 28.06.85 Durham/Hunters Bog Trotters
20 31:03 Brigitta Tusai SEN W Hungary iD
21 31:12 34 Caryl Jones U23 W 22 04.04.87 Carmarthen/Taf Running & Orienteering (TROTS)
22 31:22 33 Amy Campbell SEN W 26 06.09.83 Southampton RC/Shaftesbury Barnet
23 31:24 32 Jane Mooney SEN W 28 26.06.81 Morpeth
24 31:26 31 Becky Howarth U23 W 20 18.12.88 Leigh/Durham Uni
25 31:33 30 Carolyn Summersgill SEN W 28 10.12.80 Middlesbrough & Cleveland
26 31:34 29 Sian Edwards U23 W 20 24.11.88 Kettering/Loughborough Uni
27 31:49 28 Victoria Barcello SEN W 24 03.09.85 Cardiff/Glamorgan Uni
28 31:54 27 Elaine Murty U23 W 22 25.06.87 Blackheath & Bromley/Brunel Uni
29 32:12 26 Mary Ferrier U23 W 21 26.01.88 Gateshead/Leeds Uni
30 32:18 25 Karen Alexander SEN W 32 14.10.77 Sperrin
31 32:32 24 Abby Wilson U23 W 20 03.01.89 Darlington/Loughborough Uni
32 33:32 23 Alex Snook U23 W 22 19.10.87 Shildon/Loughborough Uni
33 33:43 22 Gemma Hillier U23 W 21 19.06.88 Charnwood/Loughborough Uni
34 49:19 21 Rachel Syed SEN W 30 21.10.79 Preston
35 49:57 20 Julie Edwards SEN W Unknown

2009 Saucony English National Cross Country Relays

Berry Hill Park, Mansfield

Saturday 31st October 2009

CHARNWOOD AC successfully retained the Saucony English National Cross Country Relays title as the team of British internationals Tara Krzywicki and Hannah Whitmore combined with rising star Gemma Steel to produce a stellar performance at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park defeating Bristol & West - securing their fifth triumph over the past six years by crossing the line in a time of 30mins 19.05secs finishing 11 seconds clear of their West country rivals as Woodford Green with Essex Ladies secured the third podium position.

In the Men’s Senior 4-Stage event Bedford & County claimed a well-deserved title defence victory ahead of Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC with Bristol third and Morpeth Harriers led by Loughborough student Nick McCormick fourth.

With a record entry of teams this year marked the 21st time that the event has been staged at the Mansfield venue, following the first English Cross Country Relays that took place in 1985 with just three events; Under-17 Men, Junior Men and Senior Men.

The event then was first staged in Crystal Palace Park and then again in the same location two years later in 1987 before it moved permanently to Berry Hill Park, Mansfield in 1989.

On the opening leg of the Senior Women’s 3-Stage race Charnwood AC the reigning Leicestershire county champion Gemma Steel set the Loughborough club on to the way to victory with a 10:15.45 over the 3km course handing over to Tara Krzywicki.

The 35-year-old British Masters cross-country champion has for well over a decade been the talismanic leader for Charnwood spearheading their many title successes on both the road and country at national and territorial level and with a 9:58.20 she lifted the team into first place as Hannah Whitmore lined-up for the anchor leg.

Whitmore returning to the surface where she represented Team GB at the World Championships in Amman was left away and clear on the final changeover guiding Charnwood to victory with a swift 10:05.40 stage to finish ahead of Midlands territorial rivals Bristol.

Three-time junior European champion Steph Twell clocked the fastest overall stage in 9:35.85 as the national road-relay champions Aldershot missed out on a podium place finishing in fourth.

The Charnwood ‘B’ team comprising of Loughborough University graduates Sarah Maude (10:36.15), Gemma Hillier (11:08.65) and Kate Lomas (11:09.85) finished in 13th place in a combined time of 32:54.65.

Alex Snook led the way for the African violet team representing the Loughborough Students, the 22-year-old from Shildon clocked 11:20.25 on the opening leg to combine with team mates A Campbell (10:39.50) and Abby Wilson (11:00.40) to finish in 14th place overall in 33:00.15.

The ‘B’ squad of J Orr, Estelle Damant and Paris Williams finished in 38th place in 35:25.10.

Harborough AC finished in 54th place as their team of Hannah Eveleigh, Karen Brooks and Nicola James clocked 38:21.65.

Wreake Runners claimed 77th place as Zoe Smith, Liz Collingham and Alice Goodbourn crossed the line in 42:46.85.

The Hermitage Harriers squad of Jo Matthews, Caroline Scrimshaw and Katie Osbourne finished in 83rd place in 46:06.40.

In the Men’s Senior 4-Stage event Bedford & County claimed a well-deserved title defence victory in 1:01:12.75 finishing ahead of Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC with Bristol third.

The Loughborough Students finished in 51st place with their team of Lewis Moses, P Street, B Hales and Mark Vardy as they recorded a combined time of 1:08.24.40.

Midlands Masters champions Leicester Coritanians finished one place behind in 52nd with the team of Gordon Lee, Gareth Deacon, Simon Cotton and Derek Guess clocked 1:08.34.45.

Charnwood clocked 1:09.18.55 to secure 59th place with Peter Swaine, Mark Crofts, Richard Brown and Paul Harmer completed their quartet.

Harborough AC led by the new Leicester Marathon champion Sean Fenwick finished in 65th place as Andy Robinson, Martin Gore and Jason Pitcher crossed the line in 1:10.41.65, whilst, Hermitage Harriers finished in 104th place with their team of Ally Watson, Paul Gregory, Matt Dumelow and Lee Tomlinson clocked 1:15.30.95.
Super silver for Coritanian young guns

In the Women’s Under-15 race the highly talented Leicester Coritanians young squad produced a fabulous performance to secure a silver medal position as their team of Amy Griffiths (7:24.00), Megan Fairbrother (7:30.05) and Emily Sales (7:37.30) clocked a combined time of 22mins 31.35secs to finish runners-up to Aldershot, Farnham & District (22:07.85).

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full results are available on the following link: www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=57

Saturday 3rd October 2009

BRONYA BIRD spearheaded a successful day for Leicester Coritanian young guns at the 2009 edition of the Uttoxeter Cross-Country races held at Bramshall Park on Sunday 27th September as their Under-11 girls and senior women’s squads both secured a fine double team gold triumph, whilst, Charnwood’s Claire Matchett claimed the senior individual title.

In the Under-11 girls event Bronya Bird produced a solid performance for Leicester finishing runner-up to Tamworth’s Carys Langham with a time of 10mins 41secs combining with team mates Annie McCallister, fourth in 10:53 on her debut, and sixth placed Georgia Smith (10:55) to gain the top podium place with a total of 12 points ahead of Tipton Harriers (22) and Cannock & Staffs (45).

Laura Shephard-Till (8th in 11:01), Caitlin Bateman (10th in 11:09), Lucy Perry (20th in 11:55) and Katie Saunders (25th in 12:52) completed the positions for Leicester in the race.

The Under-13 girls team of Eleanor Long (10th in 10:15), Rebecca Orton (14th in 10:29) and Hannah Perry (15th in 10:32) finished second to City of Stoke with Staffs Moorlands third in the race won by Hannah Sharkey representing Halesowen AC in 9:09.

In a very competitive senior women’s race combined with the Under-17’s the teenagers up-staged their more experienced competitors as Chloe Richardson of Halesowen led home the field in 14:28 as the ever-improving Freya Vincent (14:42) claimed third place for Leicester, whilst, Charnwood’s Claire Matchett won the senior title for the Loughborough-based club coming home in fourth place overall as the 32-year-old clocked a time of 14:47.

Leicester secured team victory in the senior women’s competition as Louisa Monk (10th in 15:20), Emma Brown (20th in 16:51) and Amy Danaher (22nd 17:08) completed their line-up.

The Coritanians men's vets line-up claimed a well-deserved team silver medal in the combined senior race as their squad of Andy Hart (16th in 26:41), Phil Hands (23rd in 27:57), Robin Brookes (24th in 27:57) and Dave Saunders (25th in 28:22) finished fifth overall with a total of 63 points as Staff Moorlands won the title.

David Westbury won the senior men’s title ahead of Daniel Cliffe (Warrington) as the 20-year-old steeplechaser prevailed in a time of 23:01 leading Derby AC to team victory as the Leicester OWLS Tom Nutt clocked 25:23 to secure sixth place overall.
Full Results:
Senior Men
1 23:01 380 Dave Westbury Derby AC
2 23:44 395 Daniel Cliffe Warrington AC
3 24:25 999 Alex Pilcher Derby AC
4 24:57 399 Thomas Lawrence Derby AC
5 25:08 376 Ryan Holroyd Staffs Moorlands
6 25:23 394 Tom Nutt Owls
7 25:27 383 Jon Turnock Staffs Moorlands
8 25:37 462 Malcolm Eustace Tipton Harr V O/50
9 25:48 373 Vincent Martin Staffs Moorlands
10 25:56 397 Steven Bazell City of Stoke AC
11 26:07 391 Mark Sherriff Burton AC
12 26:17 458 Dave Allen Staffs Moor V O/40
13 26:25 382 Elliott Hart Leicester Cor
14 26:37 379 Richard Brooks Staffs Moorlands
15 26:38 476 Dave Willaims Tamworth AC V O/50
16 26:41 456 Andrew Hart Leicester Cor V O/45
17 26:52 385 Liam Hendricken City of Stoke AC
18 27:12 460 Kelvin Amos Staffs Moor V O/50
19 27:29 375 Jason Burgess Staffs Moorlands
20 27:37 454 Jeremy Wyatt O/40
21 27:42 388 Gordy Smith Burton AC
22 27:48 372 D Gardener Telford AC
23 27:49 478 Phil Hands Leicester Cor V O/50
24 27:57 452 Robin Brookes Leicester Cor V O/45
25 28:22 474 David Saunders Leicester Cor V O/45
26 28:56 457 Jon Whilock Staffs Moor V O/40
27 29:23 475 Colin Simpson South Cheshire V O/40
28 29:52 381 Simon Lanckham Bromsgrove & Red
29 29:56 386 Darren Ford Burton AC
30 30:53 455 James Zaple O/50
31 30:56 465 Simon Harden Buxton AC V O/45
32 31:10 398 Simon Ralph Royal Sutton C
33 31:17 451 Chris Green Staffs Moor V O/50
34 32:56 997 Craig Roughton
35 33:22 471 Kevin Clarkson Burton AC V O/40
36 33:43 463 Mark Quince Buxton AC V O/40
37 34:26 473 Richard Hawksworth Burton AC V O/40
38 35:17 472 Clive Baggaley Uttoxeter RR V O/60
39 35:56 466 Paul Weir Buxton AC V O/40
40 36:34 469 Paul Mathie Burton AC V O/50
41 36:55 998 A Fowell
42 37:19 467 Nigel Symms Newcastle AC V O/40
43 41:09 477 Neale Smith Nuneaton Harr V O/50
Team:
1. Derby AC 8 ( 1, 3, 4)
2. Staffs Moorlands 21 ( 5, 7, 9)
3. Staffs Moorlands Vets 56 ( 12, 18, 26)
4. Burton AC 61 ( 11, 21, 29)
5. Leicester Coritanian Vets 63 ( 16, 23, 24)
6. Buxton AC Vets 106 ( 31, 36, 39)
7. Burton AC Vets 112 ( 35, 37, 40)
Senior/U17 Women
1 14:28 885 Chloe Richardson Halesowen AC J U/17 1
2 14:30 884 Emily Monk Halesowen AC J U/17 2
3 14:42 892 Freya Vincent Leicester Cor J U/17 3
4 14:47 850 Claire Matchett Charnwood 1
5 14:49 882 Jade Burke Halesowen AC J U/17 4
6 14:51 863 Kerry Marchant Staffs Moor V O/35 1
7 15:10 858 Jayne Dickens Trentham RC V O/40 2
8 15:13 859 Joanne Donnolley Trentham RC V O/35 3
9 15:17 841 Michelle Buckle Newcastle AC 2
10 15:20 842 Louisa Monk Leicester Cor 3
11 15:25 849 Naomi Warr Hatton Darts 4
12 15:47 837 Sue Davies Tipton Harriers 5
13 15:54 893 Dannii Johnson Birchfield H J U/17 5
14 15:56 878 Holly Climo Telford J U/17 6
15 16:05 880 Georgie Brookes Leicester Cor J U/17 7
16 16:07 886 Becky Bray Cannock & S J U/17 8
17 16:21 864 Hilary Wood Staffs Moor V O/35 4
18 16:28 883 Megan Evans Halesowen AC J U/17 9
19 16:43 888 Becky Cooke Cannock & S J U/17 10
20 16:51 843 Emma Brown Leicester Cor 6
21 16:56 865 Debbie Hope Staffs Moor V O/35 5
22 17:08 848 Amy Danaher Leicester Cor 7
23 17:23 879 Molly Chattaway Staffs Moor J U/17 11
24 17:27 860 Rosemary Wilson Trentham RC V O/50 6
25 17:32 840 Melanie Young Newcastle AC 8
26 18:13 877 Tania White Nuneaton H J U/17 12
27 18:18 868 Sheila Bradley Buxton AC V O/50 7
28 18:53 867 Emma Havenhand Buxton AC V O/35 8
29 19:06 861 Kay Boulton Staffs Moor V O/50 9
30 19:42 857 Yvonne Hart Leicester Cor V O/40 10
31 19:58 866 Sarah Nicholson Buxton AC V O/45 11
32 21:02 851 Amy Whitehurst Newcastle AC 9
33 21:40 839 Rosie Hatton Tipton Harriers 10
34 22:03 845 Nicky Long Burton AC 11
U17 Team:
1. Halesowen AC U/17 7 ( 1, 2, 4)
Senior Team:
1. Leicester Coritanian 16 ( 3, 6, 7)
2. Newcastle AC 19 ( 2, 8, 9)
Vets:
1. Staffs Moor Vets 10 ( 1, 4, 5)
2. Trentham RC Vets 11 ( 2, 3, 6)
3. Buxton AC Vets 26 ( 7, 8, 11)
U17 Men
1 12:54 729 Danny Mills Nuneaton Harriers
2 13:15 742 Philip Pugh Cannock & Staffs
3 13:24 726 Lee Whitehouse Tipton Harriers
4 13:30 739 Ashley Wickett Cannock & Staffs
5 13:37 730 Michael Harding City of Stoke AC
6 13:39 744 Jack Ross Staffs Moorlands
7 14:04 733 Matt Davies Tipton Harriers
8 14:06 736 Jamie Cozens Sphinx
9 14:19 735 Joe Broome City of Stoke AC
10 14:24 746 Jonathan Hunt Tipton Harriers
11 14:25 740 Sam Derry Cannock & Staffs
12 15:01 737 Stuart Davies Cannock & Staffs
13 15:19 734 Christopher Rushworth Macclesfield H
14 15:22 732 Joel Hatton Tipton Harriers
15 15:30 741 Jack Lockett Cannock & Staffs
16 16:07 727 George Mellor City of Stoke AC
17 16:17 728 James Astbury City of Stoke AC
18 17:41 745 Alistair Heath City of Stoke AC
Team:
U15 Boys
1. Cannock & Stafford 17 ( 2, 4, 11)
2. Tipton Harriers 20 ( 3, 7, 10)
3. City of Stoke AC 30 ( 5, 9, 16)
1 12:52 644 Harvey Brown Halesowen AC
2 13:46 630 Anthony Parkes Tamworth AC
3 14:18 653 Ryan Perry Cannock & Staffs
4 14:24 649 Alex Benfield Burton AC
5 14:28 626 George Duckworth Tipton Harriers
6 14:37 639 Jonathan Monk Leicester Coritanian
7 14:44 637 Ben Topley Royal Sutton Coldfield
8 14:49 638 Aidan Blythe Tamworth AC
9 14:52 645 Ben Symonds Halesowen AC
10 15:22 641 Nick Durham Newcastle AC
11 15:42 654 Luke Vine Tipton Harriers
12 16:15 633 Ashley Palmer Leicester Coritanian
13 16:40 642 Tom Eustace Cannock & Staffs
14 17:01 625 Mitchell Turner Tipton Harriers
15 17:23 648 James Latham Burton AC
16 17:24 652 Matthew Pugh Cannock & Staffs
17 18:19 640 Jed Halpine-McCabe Leicester Coritanian
Team:
1. Tipton Harriers 30 ( 5, 11, 14)
2. Cannock & Stafford 32 ( 3, 13, 16)
3. Leicester Coritanian 35 ( 6, 12, 17)
U15 Girls
1 8:49 584 Jade Bird Cannock & Staffs
2 8:59 583 Megan Fairbrother Leicester Coritanian
3 9:06 589 Zoe Fincher Halesowen AC
4 9:13 576 Ailish Craig Tipton Harriers
5 9:20 595 Amelia Ridgway Cannock & Staffs
6 9:23 590 Annie Richardson Halesowen AC
7 9:44 594 Grace Rossitter Cannock & Staffs
8 9:52 581 Melissa Harding City of Stoke AC
9 10:01 591 Paige Campion Wolves & Bilston
10 10:08 579 Jessica Griffiths City of Stoke AC
11 10:09 575 Jasmine Oliver Tamworth AC
12 10:10 592 Charlotte Smith Cannock & Staffs
13 10:26 586 Chloe Heath City of Stoke AC
14 10:41 577 Jade Heath City of Stoke AC
15 10:48 585 Becky Saunders Leicester Coritanian
16 11:11 593 Jessica Boulter Cannock & Staffs
17 11:34 587 Lauren Fairfax Tipton Harriers
18 12:13 578 Alex Smith Cannock & Staffs
Team:
1. Cannock & Stafford 13 ( 1, 5, 7)
2. City of Stoke AC 31 ( 8, 10, 13)
U13 Girls
1 8:25 562 Ellis Cross Tamworth AC
2 8:33 499 Will Richardson Halesowen
3 8:35 495 Luke Jones Tamworth AC
4 8:38 487 Alex Harrison Staffs Moorlands
5 8:49 492 Patrick Thomas Tamworth AC
6 9:00 490 Macauley Snutch City of Stoke AC
7 9:05 498 Zach Meakin Charnwood
8 9:11 483 Chris Davies Tipton Harriers
9 9:14 486 Tom Brookes Staffs Moorlands
10 9:20 488 Shaun Evans Royal Sutton Coldfield
11 9:30 489 Nick Stoddard City of Stoke AC
12 9:42 485 George Rees Royal Sutton Coldfield
13 9:45 480 Danny Owen Tipton Harriers
14 9:51 482 Luke Bodin Tipton Harriers
15 10:09 497 Robroy Gregory City of Stoke AC
16 10:47 563 Aaron Ball Cannock & Staffs
17 10:55 560 Duncan Parsonage Uttoxeter RR
18 11:03 491 Cameron Hart Leicester Coritanian
19 11:15 561 Jamie Fowkes
20 11:28 484 George Steventon City of Stoke AC
Team:
1. Tamworth AC 9 ( 1, 3, 5)
2. City of Stoke AC 32 ( 6, 11, 15)
3. Tipton Harriers 35 ( 8, 13, 14)
U13 Girls
1 9:09 267 Hannah Sharkey Halesowen AC
2 9:33 293 Elizabeth Ward Royal Sutton Coldfield
3 9:36 274 Megan Cogan City of Stoke AC
4 9:46 285 Rebecca Higton Staffs Moorlands
5 9:50 278 Molly Rees Royal Sutton C
6 9:52 259 Tasha Stone City of Stoke AC
7 9:57 280 Jessica Heath City of Stoke AC
8 9:58 282 Sarah Griffiths City of Stoke AC
9 10:01 266 Beth Sharkey Halesowen AC
10 10:15 281 Eleanor Long Leicester Coritanian
11 10:23 287 Jessica Grindey Buxton
12 10:24 284 Lauren Hancock Staffs Moorlands
13 10:29 295 Catherine Mellor City of Stoke AC
14 10:29 299 Rebecca Orton Leicester Coritanian
15 10:32 298 Hannah Perry Leicester Coritanian
16 10:45 261 Chloe Barker Tipton Harriers
17 10:46 297 Megan Smith City of Stoke AC
18 10:48 269 Hannah Campion Wolves & Bilston
19 10:51 264 Charlotte Mould Tipton Harriers
20 10:53 292 Victoria Hollinshead Nuneaton Harriers
21 11:02 283 Mairead Nolan City of Stoke AC
22 11:03 289 Lauren Ashmore Buxton
23 11:04 369 Katie Wickett Cannock & Staffs
24 11:04 286 Anna Jones Staffs Moorlands
25 11:11 263 Lauren Phillips Tipton Harriers
26 11:12 272 Lauren Culwick Tipton Harriers
27 11:15 355 Chloe Preston Cannock & Staffs
28 11:16 358 Megan Bond Cannock & Staffs
29 11:17 275 Olivia Barnett City of Stoke AC
30 11:23 265 Isher Mander Tipton Harriers
31 11:25 291 Hannah Smith Cannock & Staffs
32 11:25 290 Jade Ashmore Buxton
33 11:26 296 Izzy Manders City of Stoke AC
34 11:33 277 Monica Organisciak City of Stoke AC
35 11:52 258 Mary Dicken Tipton Harriers
36 11:59 238 ** Unidentified runner **
37 12:06 271 Chelsey Russell Tipton Harriers
38 12:19 273 Ruby Lewis Tipton Harriers
39 12:22 276 Lydia Whiston City of Stoke AC
40 12:37 357 Jamie O'Connor Cannock & Staffs
Team:
1. City of Stoke AC 16 ( 3, 6, 7)
2. Leicester Coritanian 39 ( 10, 14, 15)
3. Staffs Moorlands 40 ( 4, 12, 24)
4. Tipton Harriers 60 ( 16, 19, 25)
5. Buxton 65 ( 11, 22, 32)
U11 Boys
1 8:45 74 Thomas Randolph Tamworth AC
2 8:57 75 James Fradley Newcastle AC
3 9:20 81 Ryan Ashforth Cannock & Staffs
4 9:51 72 Samuel Watkiss Leicester Coritanian
5 10:02 79 Reece Clowes City of Stoke AC
6 10:16 78 Ed Smith City of Stoke AC
7 10:18 89 Casey Maddock City of Stoke AC
8 10:23 73 Cameron Hancox Tamworth AC
9 10:24 76 Adam Fradley Newcastle AC
10 10:26 84 Daniel Richards Royal Sutton C
11 10:28 86 Tobias Andrews Royal Sutton C
12 10:30 88 Joseph Grindey Buxton
13 11:10 85 Tom Benfield Burton AC
14 11:10 87 Rob Westwood Tipton Harriers
15 12:03 69 Ethan Wemyss City of Stoke AC
16 12:27 80 Nathan Upton Cannock & Staffs
17 12:46 71 Dylan Evans Royal Sutton C
18 13:07 70 Louis Perry Staffs Moorlands
19 14:16 82 Ewan Flynn Cannock & Staffs
Team:
1. City of Stoke AC 18 ( 5, 6, 7)
2. Royal Sutton C 38 ( 10, 11, 17)
3. Cannock & Stafford 38 ( 3, 16, 19)
U11 Girls
1 10:21 133 Carys Langham Tamworth AC
2 10:41 137 Bronya Bird Leicester Coritanian
3 10:50 151 Beth Hayes Tipton Harriers
4 10:53 150 Annie McAllister Leicester Coritanian
5 10:54 136 Gabrielle Kelly Trafford
6 10:55 144 Georgia Smith Leicester Coritanian
7 10:58 131 Rosa Lewis Tipton Harriers
8 11:01 132 Laura Shephard-Till Leicester Coritanian
9 11:05 146 Iris Davies Cannock & Staffs
10 11:09 139 Caitlin Bateman Leicester Coritanian
11 11:10 147 Georgia Case Royal Sutton Coldfield
12 11:13 129 Marianne Hughes Tipton Harriers
13 11:16 122 Laura Cogan City of Stoke AC
14 11:19 140 Charlie Peters Cannock & Staffs
15 11:30 130 Victoria Dixon Tipton Harriers
16 11:35 126 Abigail Evans Tipton Harriers
17 11:44 127 Esme Evans Tipton Harriers
18 11:45 149 Mollie Darrock Royal Sutton Coldfield
19 11:46 148 Zara Whiston Royal Sutton Coldfield
20 11:55 138 Lucy Perry Leicester Coritanian
21 12:03 124 Sian Martin Staffs Moorlands
22 12:10 143 Rachel Wallace Cannock & Staffs
23 12:13 128 Georgia Goode Tipton Harriers
24 12:17 152 Laura Whitehurst Newcastle AC
25 12:52 135 Katie Saunders Leicester Coritanian
26 12:59 142 Georgia Wallace Cannock & Staffs
27 13:20 141 Sarah Preston Cannock & Staffs
28 14:03 125 Holly Brookes Staffs Moorlands
29 14:10 145 Rhiannon Woolerton Burton AC
Team:
1. Leicester Coritanian 12 ( 2, 4, 6)
2. Tipton Harriers 22 ( 3, 7, 12)
3. Cannock & Stafford 45 ( 9, 14, 22)
4. Royal Sutton Coldfield 48 ( 11, 18, 19)

Wednesday 7th October 2009

LEICESTER Coritanians completed a further national relay success for the county as their men’s team followed in the footsteps of Charnwood’s senior women’s squad to win the 2009 British Masters Cross-Country Championships 6-Stage (Vet40) title at Mansfield’s Berry Hill Park – the first club to achieve success at that level adding to their East Midlands road-relay title and Midlands four-stage and six-stage trophies.

Back in November at the same Mansfield venue Charnwood secured the national senior women’s relays title for the fourth time in their history and there was further success for Leicestershire on Saturday 3rd October as with firm under-foot conditions and despite the windy conditions the Coritainian squad won the British Masters six-stage title ahead of the North East clubs Sunderland and Morpeth following a dominant performance.

In the men’s Vet 40 race the Coritanians cruised to victory in the six-stage event with a gun-to-tape victory as Gordon Lee set them on the way recording the fastest overall individual leg of the day on the opening stage over the 4km two-lap course clocking 13mins 15secs to give the city-based club an unassailable lead as former British international Gareth Deacon lined-up for the second stage with Lincoln-based Wolds AC in the silver medal position.

Deacon (14:13), combined with Simon Cotton (13:52) increased the advantage over the field as Derek Guess (14:19) and Welsh Masters international Rob Sheen (14:22) left Dave Pearce on the final stage away and clear to anchor the team home in a time of 1:24.38.

The silver medals went to Sunderland Harriers for the second consecutive year in a combined time of 1:25.58 with fellow North East club Morpeth Harriers (1:27.34) completing the podium positions.

In the Vet35 category the Coritanian team of Craig Sabin (15:46), Phil Hands (15:49), Nev Francis (16:44) and John Grindley (15:23) finished in a well-deserved fifth place overall with a combined time of 63:42 in the race won by Halesowen AC (56:16).

In the women’s race - run as a combined event the titles were won by Redhill Runners (W35) and Bristol & West AC (W40).

Full results are available on the following links:
www.bvaf.org.uk/results/res2009/bmafxcrelay2009m40.htm
www.bvaf.org.uk/results/res2009/bmafxcrelay2009m35.htm

Friday 9th October 2009

ANOTHER great day at the office for Charnwood’s powerful women’s relay squad as the trio of England international Sarah Maude combined with Claire Matchett and making a welcome return from injury, former British 3,000m steeplechase record-holder Tara Krzywicki, won the 2009 Midlands Open Cross Country title as the Loughborough-based club produced a runaway success at Wolverhampton’s Compton Park on Saturday 3rd October.

The bulging Charnwood trophy cabinet currently contains virtually all of the road and cross-country relay titles on offer for women both nationally and regionally in the United Kingdom so it came as no surprise as the ‘Manchester United’ of relay running dominated the 2009 Midlands Open to win the title with a dominant performance ahead of the 16 teams in action in Wolverhampton.

Loughborough University graduate Sarah Maude set them on the way as the 29-year-old former British Universities short course cross-country champion set a fast time of 22:10 on the opening leg over the undulating 6km course to give Charnwood the lead.

On the second leg, Claire Matchett, senior winner of the recent Uttoxeter cross-country races increased their advantage with 24:27 leaving Tara Krzywicki away and clear of the field on the final leg.

The Football analogy of the second paragraph could fit well with Krzywicki, more noted for her athletics performances over the past decade the 35-year-old in a previous life was a Welsh soccer international complete with a famous father in the sport of the ‘beautiful game’ - and at Wolverhampton she returned in style from a nagging Achilles injury which has sidelined her racing schedule in recent months to anchor home Charnwood to victory clocking the fastest overall individual time of the day with 21:42 as the green and gold’s completed the win crossing the line in a combined time of 68mins 19secs.

British Masters international Debbie Walters brought home Birchfield Harriers (70:58) into the silver medal position ahead of fellow Birmingham club Tipton Harriers (76:14) to complete the podium places.

Defending champions Harborough AC gained a fine top ten finish in 6th place overall despite missing Sarah Haines from their squad the team of 
Hannah Eveleigh (24:43), Karen Brooks (27:21) and Nicola James (30:19) clocked 82:23.

In the men’s four-stage race Birchfield as with Charnwood continued their winning streak having won the Midland road title earlier in the month at Sutton Park their team comprising of Peter Whitehouse (20:48), Jean Ndyasenga (19:09), Midland cross-country champion James Trollope (19:42) and Ben Sherman (20:35) came home in a combined time of 80:14 ahead of the Tipton Harriers ‘A’ and ‘B’ squads.

Harborough AC fielded two teams in the race as the ‘A’ squad of Sean Fenwick (19.54), William Clapp (22:24), Adrian King (25:02) and Adam Brooks (24:18) finished 9th in 91:38, whilst, the ‘B’ team of 
Hugh Delargy (25:17), Richard Brown (27:15) Graeme Rolfe (25:57) and Peter Leach (30:29) clocked 108.58 to finish 24th overall.

Both Charnwood and Birchfield will now look to continue their run of success at the forthcoming Nike National Six & Four Stage Road Relays Championships that take place at Birmingham’s Sutton Park on Saturday 17th October.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full Results:
Men
1 Birchfield Harriers 80.14
Peter Whitehouse 20.48 Jean Ndyasenga 19.09 James Trollope 19.42 Ben Sherman 20.35
2 Tipton Harriers A 80.32
Dan Beier 19.51 Tom Holden 20.51 Phil Hinch 19.53 Ian Willliams 19.57
3 Tipton Harriers B 86.33
Mike Buntin 19.59 Manzu Lyn Cain 22.22 Pat Kavanagh 21.47 John Millington 22.25
4 Severn AC 86.43
Tim Dalton 21.22 James Rose 22.11 Steve Hale 23.54 Josh Lilly 19.16
5 Wolves & Bilston A 87.23
Ross Jones 20.51 Ian Grindley 22.11 Richard Read 22.59 Dave Evans 21.22
6 Halesowen A&CC A 87.54
Dan Cleary 21.54 Nick Hazelwood 22.08 Oli Holden 21.57 Andy Butler 21.55
7 Northbrook AC 91.15
John Hosie 22.14 Paul Andrew 21.11 Tony Hoy 24.4 Nathan Holmes 23.10
8 Sparkhill H A 91.38
Nick Stringer 22.57 Patrick Finnegan 24.17 Darren Riley 22.27 Paul Thompson 21.37
9 Harborough AC A 91.38
Sean Fenwick 19.54 William Clapp 22.24 Adrian King 25.02 Adam Brooks 24.18
10 Rugby & Northampton 92.22
Matthew Emery 22.59 Jamie Sewell 24.00 Sean Reuby 23.29 John Gercs 21.44
11 Sphinx AC 93.03
Ashley Miles 21.55 Colin Taylor 25.53 Matt Melia 22.06 Tom Delaney 23.09
12 Dudley & Stourb A 96.06
Paul Waby 21.28 Adam Staves 27.15 Guy Robertson 26.08 Lee Slater 21.15
13 Halesowen A&CC B 96.54
Alex Morgan 24.03 Chris Cleary 24.12 Andy Nock 24.1 John Hill 24.29
14 Dudley & Stourb B 97.32
Eric Smith 24.41 Dave Nation 22.57 Mark Staves 25.46 Ivan Dawes 24.08
15 Notts AC 98.13
Richard Belton 23.42 Ashley Sabin 21.02 David Orland 23.41 Mick Robinson 29.48
16 West Bromwich H A 100.06
Dave Long 22.30 Chris Crosby 26.42 Daniel Sperber 25.47 Gary Clifton 25.07
17 Sparkhill H B 100.32
Mark Pearce 26.39 Derek Gothard 23.58 Barry O.Neill 24.24 Phil Ross 25.31
18 Wolves & Bilston B 102.18
Darren Edwards 24.16 Richard Thompson 24.28 Luke Darbey 25.18 Richard Wilson 28.16
19 Wolves & Bilston C 103.49
Dan Brazier 26.08 Frank Thomas 27 Neil Bradley 25.55 Jay Toddington 24.46
20 Halesowen A&CC C 105.37
Andy Lloyd 27.34 Paul Allen 26.36 Barry Thompson 25.55 Paul Butler 25.32
21 Wolves & Bilston D 105.46
Mat Walton 23.48 Mark Moore 24.34 Carl Morgan 30.21 Ian Pincher 27.03
22 Sparkhill H C 107.16
Barry Crowley 28.21 Bernard Wareing 26.22 Paul Murtagh 27.01 Andy Carroll 25.32
23 Wolves & Bilston E 108.22
Dan Vaughan 25.05 Steve Green 26.17 Nick Darbey 26.22 Gordon Harper 30.38
24 Harborough AC B 108.58
Hugh Delargy 25.17 Richard Brown 27.15 Graeme Rolfe 25.57 Peter Leach 30.29
25 West Bromwich H B 110.37
Bob Meek 28.21 James Stott 25.48 Chris Stanton 30.22 Stanley Hawes 26.06
Women
1 Charnwood AC 68.19
Sarah Maude 22.10 Clare Matchett 24.27 Tara Krzywicki 21.42
2 Birchfield Harriers A 70.58
Sophie Williams 24.32 Sarah Rudge 24.31 Debbie Walters 21.55
3 Tipton Harriers A 76.14
Sophie Lynch 24.46 Katie Harper 26.20 Amie Fithern 25.38
4 Tipton Harriers B 77.35
Sophie Ward 25.34 Michelle Stevens 25.51 Sue Street 26.10
5 Rugby & Northampton 78.24
Alison Cooper 25.07 Jo Pulsford 27.12 Angela Copson 26.05
6 Harborough AC 82.23
Hannah Eveleigh 24.43 Karen Brooks 27.21 Nicola James 30.19
7 Wolves & Bilston A 82.36
Tess Parkinson 27.04 Sue Weatherburn 27.16 Karen Matthews 28.16
8 Birchfield Harriers B 82.37
Sally Latham 25.09 Aimee Booth 28.04 Louise Hartman 29.24
9 Birmingham Rowh A 85.08
Sian Harrison 27.12 Sarah Price 30.49 Annie Stride 27.07
10 Birmingham Rowh B 85.51
Anne Marie Bathmaker 27.56 Chris Hirsch 30.24 Cass Chisholm 27.31
11 Severn AC 86.30
Gwen Kinsey 23.36 Lucy Woodyatt 24.32 Vanessa Anderton 38.22
12 Sparkhill H A 86.54
Sian Evans 26.56 Liz Blake 28.44 Krissie Newton 31.14
13 Wolves & Bilston B 96.00
Sukhi Dillon 32.03 Rebecca White 33.58 Clare King 29.59
14 Sparkhill H B 100.01
Margaret Ehrenberg 33.02 Manesha Parmar 33.49 Angeleen O'Sullivan 33.10
15 Wolves & Bilston C 108.33
Clare Starczak 40.27 Caroline Safe 35.17 Trish Morgan 32.49
16 Wolves & Bilston D 110.36
Jan Brookes 36.06 Anita Garbutt 37.36 Liz Kapadia 36.54

Friday 25th September 2009

THE fixtures for the 2009/10 Derby Runner Cross Country League campaign have been announced - the first race takes place on Sunday 22nd November.

The individual defending champions are Phil Chritchlow (Beaumont) and Kate Ramsey (Barrow).

This year three new teams will feature in the league with Fleckney & Kibworth joining Charnwood TRI in Division Two, whilst, the newly formed Wigston Phoenix, an off-shoot of the Leicester OWLS, will compete as a combined outfit.
2009/10 Fixtures:
November 22nd - Fleckney or Foremark Reservoir
December 6th - Aylestone Meadow (Wigston Phoenix)
January 10th - Bagworth Heath (Desford)
January 31st - Grace Dieu (Shepshed)
February 14th - Bosworth Field (Hinckley)
February 28th - Sinai Park (Hatton)
March 21st - Heanor, Derbyshire (National Finals)

The junior races start at 10.15am (10.30am if there is a massed start, entry fee - £1), the men at 10.55am (£2.50), and the women at 11.05am (11am with massed start, £2.50).

www.derbyrunnerleague.co.uk

Thursday 10th September 2009

UK Athletics have announced dates for the forthcoming 2009/10 McCain UK Cross Challenge Series which runs the course of the winter season, and has in the past played host to a number of memorable British performances, providing high quality fields for both developing and elite athletes.

The series will begin at the Riverside Bowl in Gateshead on the 14th November before moving on to Sefton Park, Liverpool on the 28th November which will include the trials for the 2009 European Cross Country Championships that take place in Dublin on 13th December.
Bute Park in Cardiff and Greenmount College, Antrim host the race on the 17th and 23rd January respectively, whilst, the McCain UK Cross Country final will take place in Birmingham, venue TBC, on 13th March.

2009 World Masters Athletics Championships


Lahti, Finland

Wednesday 29th July 2009

NICKI NEALON combined with team mates Satu Haikala and Christine Murray led Great Britain to cross country team gold at the 2009 World Masters Athletics Championships that is taking place in the beautiful city of Lahti, Finland (28th July–8th August).

Competing in the women’s W40 category, Nealon from the Huncote Harriers club in Leicestershire, despite struggling with calf and Achilles injuries finished in fourth place over the 8km course held at Salpausselkä Ridges as Belgium’s Nathalie Loubele claimed victory in 28mins 26secs with Rosa Oliveira of Portugal second in 28:45.

Nealon (29:15) combined with 10th place Haikala (31:54) and 14th placed Murray (33:38) to secure the team prize.

Full results are available on the following link: http://live.time4results.com/yu/2009/wma2009/

2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships

Amman, Jordan

Saturday 28th March 2009

ETHIOPIA and arch rivals Kenya finished with honours-even as Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam and Florence Jebet Kiplagat respectively sprinted to the men’s and women’s individual titles following dramatic and exciting senior races at the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships held over a challenging course in the capital city of Amman in the Gulf State of Jordan.

Ethiopia, however, completed a clean-sweep of titles in the junior races as Ayele Abshero and Genzebe Dibaba completed victories.

In blustery mild conditions over a dusty almost road-like track surrounding the Bisharat golf course on the outskirts of Amman, a venue that more favoured the track specialists, Kenya’s Florence Kiplagat produced a track sprint finish over the firm ground to claim a surprise victory in the senior women’s 8km race ahead of long-time leader and compatriot Linet Masai.

The long-legged Masai looked to have the gold medal already around her neck as she strode clear of the field, however, the 19-year-old struggled on the long killer hill up to the finish allowing the resurgent Kiplagat, the bronze medalist in 2007, to sprint past to take the title in a time of 26mins 13secs to lead Kenya to team gold with Masai having to settle for second in 26:16 with Ethiopia’s Meselech Melkamu taking third in 26:19.

Kiplagat commented afterwards: “I would like to thank God,” she said. “Kenya has not won since 1994, we are determined to perform at the same level as Kenyan men.”

Kenya's victory broke Ethiopia’s seven-year winning streak in the team competition as Great Britain finished in 9th place overall led by three-time junior European cross-country champion Steph Twell (Aldershot, Farnham & District) who suffered over the final stages to secure a disappointing 38th place after falling off the leading group following the early stages clocking 28:46.

Twell was followed home by fellow Beijing Olympian Hatti Dean (Sheffield Hallamshire) in 49th place with 29:05, Jane Potter (Charnwood AC) on her senior debut in 51st with 29:04, mountain-running specialist Sarah Tunstall (Kendal AC) 55th in 29:07 and Leicestershire’s Hannah Whitmore (Charnwood AC) also gaining her first senior vest in 58th with 29:19.

Late replacement Sonia Samuels (Loughborough Students), short of preparation struggled with the conditions and failed to finish dropping out after three laps. Great Britain had targeted a top six finish in the team competition but it was Portugal who went home with the prize of first European nation.

In the men's senior 12km race Ethopia's Gebre Gebremariam collected his country's third gold medal of the afternoon after both junior races were also won by the powerful Ethiopian's.

Gebremariam bided his time in the leading pack of six athletes to produce a storming sprint finish destroying the field to secure the title in a time of 35:02 taking victory by a margin of just two seconds ahead of Uganda's Moses Kipsiro, as the 2007 champion Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea, preparing for his debut in next months Flora London Marathon, claimed the bronze medal.

Great Britain in the absence of reigning European champion Mo Farah, preferring to run indoors this season to great effect winning the 3,000m title in Turin, faded to 14th place overall with Frank Tickner the highest placed athlete in 74th position in 37:58. The Wells City Harrier was followed by Andy Vernon (Aldershot, Farnham & District) 78th in 38:04, Phil Nicholls (Tipton Harriers) 86th in 38:15, Mike Skinner (Blackheath & Bromley AC) 87th in 38:22, Lee Merrien (Newham & Essex Beagles) 91st in 38:35 and Keith Gerrard (Newham & Essex Beagles) 96th in 39:03.

In the women's junior 6km race, the highly impressive 17-year-old Genzebe Dibaba, younger sister of five-time Olympic champion Tirnuesh, claimed gold to successfully defend her title crossing the line in a time of 20:14. Kenya won the team competition.

“I am extremely happy I won, even though Tirunesh was not here,’’ she said after the race, “I’m happier even than last year, because this year’s race was extremely difficult.”

Great Britain's Lauren Howarth (Leigh Harriers) and Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham & District) produced fine performances to secure top-twenty finishes in 13th and 14th respectively with times of 21:14 and 21:23 leading the team to a fine fourth place overall and top European nation. They were backed by compatriots Kate Avery (Shildon Running) 25th in 21:53, Lily Partridge (Aldershot, Farnham & District) 30th in 22:10, Louise Small (Aldershot, Farnham & District) 33rd in 22:13 and Laura Park (Ellenborough AC) 75th in 23:45.

In the men's junior 8km race Ethiopia’s Ayele Abshero went one better than at the Worlds in Edinburgh last year - where he won silver - this time claiming gold in a time of 23:26, Kenyan Titus Mbishei was second as Uganda Moses Tibet won a sprint finish for third.

Great Britain's highest placed athlete was Tom Farrell (Border Harriers) in 58th place with a time of 26:13 as the team slipped to 15th place overall when Nick Goolab (Belgrave Harriers) and Simon Horsfield (East Cheshire Harriers and Tameside AC) failed to finish. Team GB’s other scoring runners were Ronnie Sparke (Woodford Green & Essex Ladies) 83rd in 26:59, James Wilkinson (Leeds City AC) 85th in 27:04 and Jonathan Hay (Aldershot, Farnham & District) in 90th with 27:17.

UKA National Endurance Coach and Team Leader Ian Stewart reflecting on Great Britain’s performances commented: “We are where we are. I think that our junior women ran really well and the junior men were mostly disappointing. You can’t fault our senior men for lack of trying, but I think we have got to work on getting their track times down before they can really challenge.



“As for the senior women, it was a hard lesson for Steph to learn, but she lives to fight another day and I’m sure she will come back stronger in the future. The course today was hard and fast. Really, it was like a 10,000m track race with a hill in the middle. 



“I think we have to look again at the way we prepare and select for this event. Every now and then you get a World Cross ran on a traditional English-style cross-country course, but very rarely. They are nearly always flat and fast and they are always fast. So we need to look at developing our speed on the track first and foremost, but nothing is insurmountable.”

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full Results:
Junior Women (6km)
1-Genzebe Dibaba- ETH-20:14-+0:00;2-Mercy Cherono- KEN-20:17-+0:03;3-Jackline Chepngeno- KEN-20:27-+0:13;4-Frehiwat Goshu- ETH-20:34-+0:20;5-Nelly Chebet Ngeiywo- KEN-20:36-+0:22;6-Sule Utura- ETH-20:38-+0:24;7-Emebet Anteneh- ETH-20:42-+0:28;8-Hilda Chepkemoi Tanui- KEN-20:49-+0:35;9-Meseret Mengistu- ETH-20:52-+0:38;10-Jackline Chebii- KEN-21:01-+0:47;11-Emily Brichacek- AUS-21:02-+0:48;12-Tsega Gelaw- ETH-21:11-+0:57;13-Lauren Howarth- GBR-21:14-+1:00;14-Charlotte Purdue- GBR-21:23-+1:09;15-Gladys Jerotich Kibiwot- BRN-21:25-+1:11;16-Delvine Relin Meringor- KEN-21:27-+1:13;17-Nanaka Izawa- JPN-21:27-+1:13;18-Erika Ikeda- JPN-21:30-+1:16;19-Neely Spence- USA-21:33-+1:19;20-Asami Kato- JPN-21:33-+1:19;21-Aki Otagiri- JPN-21:40-+1:26;22-Chitose Shibata- JPN-21:47-+1:33;23-Tejitu Daba- BRN-21:47-+1:33;24-Shitaye Eshete- BRN-21:50-+1:36;25-Kate Avery- GBR-21:53-+1:39;26-Ashley Brasovan- USA-21:55-+1:41;27-Clémence Calvin- FRA-22:01-+1:47;28-Tsige Gebrebrhan- ERI-22:02-+1:48;29-Helen Hayelom- ERI-22:07-+1:53;30-Lillian Partridge- GBR-22:10-+1:56;31-Chloe Tighe- AUS-22:11-+1:57;32-Baoqin Bai- CHN-22:11-+1:57;33-Louise Small- GBR-22:13-+1:59;34-Alexandra Dunne- USA-22:15-+2:01;35-Nicki Maria McFadzien- NZL-22:15-+2:01;36-Emi Kameyama- JPN-22:15-+2:01;37-Elena Sedova- RUS-22:17-+2:03;38-Maxine Heine-Wacker- RSA-22:24-+2:10;39-Francine Nibaruta- BDI-22:25-+2:11;40-Tatiana Prorokova- RUS-22:26-+2:12;41-Chelsea Graham- CAN-22:29-+2:15;42-Valeria Roffino- ITA-22:30-+2:16;43-Emily Pritt- USA-22:31-+2:17;44-Anna Catharina Gildenhuys- RSA-22:32-+2:18;45-Kedish Tesfay- ERI-22:33-+2:19;46-Jana van Wabeke- BEL-22:35-+2:21;47-Hollie Emery- AUS-22:39-+2:25;48-Marina Petrova- RUS-22:40-+2:26;49-Caroline Pfister- CAN-22:42-+2:28;50-Narjes Issaoui- TUN-22:44-+2:30;51-Tiegssti Negassi- ERI-22:44-+2:30;52-Daniela Cunha- POR-22:44-+2:30;53-Liudmila Lebedeva- RUS-22:44-+2:30;54-Aleksandra Kudryashova- RUS-22:47-+2:33;55-Jeanne d'Arc Mukakigeli- RWA-22:50-+2:36;56-Charo Inga- PER-22:52-+2:38;57-Adeline Musabyimana- RWA-22:53-+2:39;58-Hadda Souadia- ALG-22:54-+2:40;59-Safa Jammeli- TUN-22:55-+2:41;60-Embeitey Belay- ERI-22:58-+2:44;61-Fatima-Zahra Ouhrisse- MAR-23:03-+2:49;62-Lucia Coli- ITA-23:06-+2:52;63-Sandra Mosquera- ESP-23:08-+2:54;64-Sara Vaughn- USA-23:09-+2:55;65-Tamara Carvolth- AUS-23:14-+3:00;66-Hafida Benjilali- MAR-23:16-+3:02;67-Nawal Yahi- ALG-23:19-+3:05;68-Habiba Hammam- MAR-23:22-+3:08;69-Fatima Ouezzani- MAR-23:23-+3:09;70-Stephanie Aldea- CAN-23:25-+3:11;71-Nabila Sifi- ALG-23:27-+3:13;72-Nandipha Dywili- RSA-23:37-+3:23;73-Estefanía Tobal- ESP-23:39-+3:25;74-Tamara Jewett- CAN-23:42-+3:2875-Laura Park- GBR-23:45-+3:31;76-Ashleigh Schnettler- RSA-23:49-+3:35;77-Yamna Ambarki- MAR-23:53-+3:39;78-Hayat Amri- MAR-23:57-+3:4379-Letitia Saayman- RSA-24:09-+3:55;80-Bénisse Inamahoro- BDI-24:10-+3:56;81-Elena Gerasimova- RUS-24:17-+4:03;82-Tania Carretero- ESP-24:20-+4:06;83-Zinhle Sinqe- RSA-24:27-+4:13;84-Ala'Ziad Khalifah- JOR-24:32-+4:18;85-Marwa Nasri- TUN-24:58-+4:44;86-Nabila Chaib Draa- ALG-25:00-+4:46;87-Hassiba Bioudi- ALG-25:10-+4:56;88-Naïma Bakaddour- ALG-25:19-+5:05;89-Amira Saghraoui- TUN-25:28-+5:14;90-Katarzyna Broniatowska- POL-25:53-+5:39;91-Rasha Ayoub- JOR-26:13-+5:59;92-Ghurour Aldeghemat- JOR-26:20-+6:06;93-Nahida Albawwat- JOR-27:02-+6:48;94-Naama Barka- LBA-28:48-+8:34;-Justine Johnson- CAN-DNF-.-Geneviève Lalonde- CAN-DNF-.-Esra'a Ikhlawi- JOR-DNF-.-Faten Nemrawy- JOR-DNF-.-Nazret Weldu- ERI-DNS-
Teams:
1- Ethiopia-18-2- Kenya-18-3- Japan-76-4- Great Britain & N.I.-82-5- United States-122-6- Eritrea-153-7- Australia-154-8- Russia-178-9- South Africa-230-10- Canada-234-11- Morocco-264-12- Algeria-282-13- Tunisia-283-14- Jordan-360
Junior Men (8km)
1-Ayele Abshero- ETH-23:26-+0:00;2-Titus Kipjumba Mbishei- KEN-23:30-+0:04;3-Moses Kibet- UGA-23:35-+0:09;4-Paul Kipngetich Tanui- KEN-23:35-+0:09;5-Japheth Kipyegon Korir- KEN-23:36-+0:10;6-Atalay Yirsaw- ETH-23:38-+0:12;7-Gashaw Biftu- ETH-23:44-+0:18;8-Debebe Woldsenbet- ETH-23:52-+0:26;9-John Kipkoech- KEN-24:00-+0:34;10-John Kemboi Cheruiyot- KEN-24:08-+0:42;11-German Fernandez- USA-24:13-+0:47;12-Dieudonné Nsengiyuma- BDI-24:16-+0:50;13-Charles Kibet Chepkurui- KEN-24:17-+0:51;14-Goitom Kifle- ERI-24:18-+0:52;15-Chris Derrick- USA-24:20-+0:54;16-Legese Lamiso- ETH-24:20-+0:54;17-Dickson Huru- UGA-24:21-+0:55;18-Mulue Andom- ERI-24:23-+0:57;19-Nassir Dawud- ERI-24:32-+1:06;20-Youssef Nasir- MAR-24:33-+1:07;21-Merhawi Tadesse- ERI-24:34-+1:08;22-Olivier Iradukunda- BDI-24:35-+1:09;23-Zicheng Li- CHN-24:38-+1:12;24-Ryan Gregson- AUS-24:40-+1:14;25-Timothy Toroitich- UGA-24:43-+1:17;26-Alemu Bekele- BRN-24:44-+1:18;27-Akinobu Murasawa- JPN-24:46-+1:20;28-Edwin Chebii Kimurer- BRN-24:49-+1:23;29-Harry Summers- AUS-24:52-+1:26;30-Luke Puskedra- USA-24:53-+1:27;31-Adil Rached- MAR-24:54-+1:28;32-Yetwale Kende- ETH-24:59-+1:33;33-Gebrebrhan Tesfamariam- ERI-25:01-+1:35;34-Abraham Tewelde- ERI-25:03-+1:37;35-Adam Haroon- SUD-25:08-+1:42;36-Richard Everest- AUS-25:16-+1:50;37-Bernard Kibekei Cheptoch- UGA-25:19-+1:53;38-Ronald Kiprotich- UGA-25:19-+1:53;39-Sylvain Nyandwi- BDI-25:25-+1:59;40-Wataru Ueno- JPN-25:30-+2:04;41-Isaac Kemboi Chelimo- BRN-25:31-+2:05;42-Shota Hattori- JPN-25:32-+2:06;43-Azzeddine Feraoun- MAR-25:32-+2:06;44-Kazuto Nishiike- JPN-25:39-+2:13;45-Kenta Chiba- JPN-25:44-+2:18;46-Brett Robinson- AUS-25:47-+2:21;47-Mfumaneko Fadane- RSA-25:51-+2:25;48-Patrick Dupont- USA-25:52-+2:26;49-Hicham Sigueni- MAR-25:56-+2:30;50-Andrey Dmitriev- RUS-25:58-+2:32;51-El Mahjoub Dazza- MAR-25:58-+2:32;52-Ryan Hill- USA-26:04-+2:38;53-Joel Mmone- RSA-26:05-+2:39;54-Yahya El Mekkaoui- MAR-26:06-+2:40;55-Mario Mola- ESP-26:09-+2:43;56-Nyjal Majock- CAN-26:12-+2:46;57-Mohammed Ahmed- CAN-26:13-+2:47;58-Tom Farrell- GBR-26:13-+2:47;59-Ameur Maouni- ALG-26:13-+2:47;60-Moussa Ziane- ALG-26:15-+2:49;61-Éderson Pereira- BRA-26:17-+2:51;62-Francisco Medrano- USA-26:18-+2:52;63-Boubakar El Seddik Becharef- ALG-26:19-+2:53;64-Hassan Ismail- SUD-26:22-+2:56;65-Sityhilo Diko- RSA-26:24-+2:58;66-Diaaeldin Hassan Ahmed- SUD-26:30-+3:04;67-Antonio Abadía- ESP-26:30-+3:04;68-Antonio Guzzi- ITA-26:31-+3:05;69-David Ricketts- AUS-26:32-+3:06;70-Sami Lafi- ALG-26:32-+3:06;71-Dario Santoro- ITA-26:33-+3:07;72-Folavia Sehohle- RSA-26:36-+3:10;73-Yutaro Fukushi- JPN-26:38-+3:12;74-Sondre Nordstad Moen- NOR-26:39-+3:13;75-Vincent Boucena- FRA-26:42-+3:16;76-Mohammed El Amin Cheouaf- ALG-26:43-+3:17;77-José Costa- POR-26:43-+3:17;78-Aitor Fernández- ESP-26:46-+3:20;79-Adam Abdelmunaim- SUD-26:48-+3:22;80-Aleksandr Kuternin- CAN-26:52-+3:26;81-Nabil Mohammed Al-Garbi- YEM-26:55-+3:29;82-Martín Ortiz- ESP-26:58-+3:32;83-Ronnie Sparke- GBR-26:59-+3:33;84-Mohamed Saad- TUN-27:03-+3:37;85-James Wilkinson- GBR-27:04-+3:38;86-Joshua Johnson- AUS-27:08-+3:42;87-Ali Mohammed Al-Khawlani- YEM-27:08-+3:42;88-Simon Denissel- FRA-27:14-+3:48;89-Windy Jonas- RSA-27:17-+3:51;90-Jonathan Hay- GBR-27:17-+3:51;91-John Paul Malette- CAN-27:18-+3:52;92-Hamid Abdelghani- SUD-27:19-+3:53;93-James Leakos- CAN-27:20-+3:54;94-Valdison Silva- BRA-27:25-+3:59;95-Jaime Villa- ESP-27:27-+4:01;96-Waleed Saleh Elayah- YEM-27:30-+4:04;97-Mubarak Musa- SUD-27:32-+4:06;98-Vuyisile Tshoba- RSA-27:37-+4:11;99-Mattias Wolter- CAN-27:39-+4:13;100-Anselme Manirazika- BDI-27:42-+4:16;101-Ali Hussein Al-Abidi- YEM-27:49-+4:23;102-Anes Traikia- ALG-28:03-+4:37;103-Salameh Al-Hayawi- JOR-28:04-+4:38;104-Maamoun Bali- PLE-28:20-+4:54;105-Waleed Mohammed Al-Abidi- YEM-28:29-+5:03;106-Hamza Barhumah- JOR-28:31-+5:05;107-Fares Hassan- LBA-28:42-+5:16;108-Yazan Abunaja- JOR-28:53-+5:27;109-Ra'ed Abumharab- JOR-29:00-+5:34;110-Motasem Akkawi- JOR-29:26-+6:00;111-Omar Mourad- KUW-30:59-+7:33;112-Abdullateef Al Rweih- KUW-31:31-+8:05;113-Pierre-Célestin Nihorimbere- BDI-31:54-+8:28;114-Mohamad Nodum- KUW-32:01-+8:35;115-Manea Alajmi- KUW-33:16-+9:50;116-Hamad Salem- KUW-33:39-+10:13;117-Abdullah Rabeaa- KUW-34:02-+10:36;-Nick Goolab- GBR-DNF-.-Simon Horsfield- GBR-DNF-.-Hasan Al-Najjar- JOR-DNF-.-Bilel Aloui- TUN-DNF-
Teams:
1- Kenya-20-2- Ethiopia-22-3- Eritrea-72-4- Uganda-82-5- United States-104-6- Australia-135-7- Morocco-143-8- Japan-153-9- Burundi-173-10- South Africa-237-11- Sudan-244-12- Algeria-252-13- Spain-282-14- Canada-284-15- Great Britain & N.I.-316-16- Republic of Yemen-365-17- Jordan-426-18- Kuwait-452
Senior Women (8km)
1-Florence Jebet Kiplagat- KEN-26:13-+0:00;2-Linet Chepkwemoi Masai- KEN-26:16-+0:03;3-Meselech Melkamu- ETH-26:19-+0:06;4-Lineth Chepkurui- KEN-26:23-+0:10;5-Wude Ayalew- ETH-26:23-+0:10;6-Hilda Kibet- NED-26:43-+0:30;7-Ann Karindi Mwangi- KEN-26:49-+0:36;8-Gelete Burka- ETH-26:58-+0:45;9-Maryam Yusuf Jamal- BRN-27:00-+0:47;10-Iness Chepkesis Chenonge- KEN-27:00-+0:47;11-Pauline Chemning Korikwiang- KEN-27:03-+0:5012-Deska Mamitu- ETH-27:04-+0:51;13-Kimberley Smith- NZL-27:05-+0:52;14-Sentayehu Ejigu- ETH-27:40-+1:27;15-Ana Dulce Félix- POR-27:42-+1:29;16-Sara Moreira- POR-27:54-+1:41;17-Lisa Jane Weightman- AUS-27:59-+1:46;18-Yuko Shimizu- JPN-28:02-+1:49;19-Ana Dias- POR-28:05-+1:52;20-Judith Plá- ESP-28:08-+1:55;21-Julie Culley- USA-28:08-+1:55;22-Analía Rosa- POR-28:10-+1:57;23-Siham Hilali- MAR-28:14-+2:01;24-Alessandra Aguilar- ESP-28:18-+2:05;25-Sarah Ramadhan- TAN-28:18-+2:05;26-Lara Tamsett- AUS-28:19-+2:06;27-Bouchra Chaabi- MAR-28:19-+2:06;28-Mimi Belete- BRN-28:21-+2:08;29-Lebogang Phalula- RSA-28:23-+2:10;30-Koren Jelela- ETH-28:29-+2:16;31-Diana Martín- ESP-28:31-+2:18;32-Kenza Dahmani- ALG-28:33-+2:20;33-Delilah Di Crescenzo- USA-28:34-+2:21;34-Salima El Ouali Alami- MAR-28:35-+2:22;35-Élodie Olivarès- FRA-28:37-+2:24;36-Rebecca Donaghue- USA-28:37-+2:24;37-Catherine Cormier- CAN-28:41-+2:28;38-Stephanie Twell- GBR-28:46-+2:33;39-Dina Lebo Phalula- RSA-28:46-+2:33;40-Kathy Newberry- USA-28:50-+2:37;41-Habiba Ghribi- TUN-28:50-+2:37;;42-Jacqueline Martín- ESP-28:51-+2:38;43-Yeisy Álvarez- VEN-28:51-+2:38;44-Yingying Zhu- CHN-28:53-+2:40;45-Kazuka Wakatsuki- JPN-28:54-+2:41;46-Maria Laghrissi- MAR-28:55-+2:42;47-Federica Dal Ri- ITA-28:55-+2:42;48-Korei Omata- JPN-28:56-+2:43;49-Hatti Dean- GBR-29:00-+2:47;50-Agnes Chikwakwa- MAW-29:03-+2:50;51-Jane Potter- GBR-29:04-+2:51;52-Melinda Vernon- AUS-29:04-+2:51;53-Claudette Mukasakindi- RWA-29:05-+2:52;54-Chisa Nishio- JPN-29:05-+2:52;55-Sarah Tunstall- GBR-29:07-+2:54;56-Johanna Hermiena van Schalkwyk- RSA-29:07-+2:54;57-Victoria Poludina- KGZ-29:16-+3:03;58-Hannah Whitmore- GBR-29:19-+3:06;59-Erin Densham- AUS-29:23-+3:10;60-Xiaoqin Dong- CHN-29:23-+3:10;61-Konstadína Kefalá- GRE-29:29-+3:16;62-Elsa Medhane- ERI-29:30-+3:17;63-Letekidan Gebreyohannes- ERI-29:33-+3:20;64-Elisabete Lopes- POR-29:36-+3:23;65-Linda Byrne- IRL-29:36-+3:23;66-Sueli Silva- BRA-29:38-+3:25;67-Chantell Widney- CAN-29:45-+3:32;68-Yuki Numata- JPN-29:48-+3:35;69-Samia Akbar- USA-29:51-+3:38;70-Eden Tesfalem- ERI-29:55-+3:42;71-Ezgamen Kahsay- ERI-30:04-+3:51;72-Tomoka Inadomi- JPN-30:07-+3:54;73-Rosângela Faria- BRA-30:18-+4:05;74-Tebogo Masehla- RSA-30:24-+4:11;75-Lindsey Scherf- USA-30:27-+4:14;76-Chantelle Wilder- CAN-30:42-+4:29;77-Jackline Sakilu- TAN-30:44-+4:31;78-Myrette Filmalter- RSA-30:57-+4:44;79-Yirgalem Gebrekidan Beraki- ERI-31:10-+4:57;80-Tara Palm- AUS-31:23-+5:10;81-Marilyn Arsenault- CAN-31:37-+5:24;82-Adriana Aparecida da Silva- BRA-31:40-+5:27;83-Mariola Konowalska- POL-32:00-+5:47;84-Asha Abdalla Khatib- TAN-33:17-+7:04;85-Giuli Dekanadze- GEO-33:18-+7:05;86-Rehab Mohammad Ahmad- EGY-36:14-+10:01;87-Nadima Mirzoeva- TJK-38:00-+11:47;88-Nagah Zenatni- LBA-38:50-+12:37;-Rachelle Malette- CAN-DNF-.-Cristina Jordán- ESP-DNF-.-Annemari Sandell-Hyrvärinen- FIN-DNF-.-Sonia Samuels- GBR-DNF-.-Laila Hmatou- MAR-DNF-.-Hanane Ouhaddou- MAR-DNF-.-Inês Monteiro- POR-DNF-.-Safa Aissaoui- TUN-DNF-.-Zakia Mrisho Mohamed- TAN-DNS-.
Teams:
1- Kenya-14-2- Ethiopia-28-3- Portugal-72-4- Spain-117-5- United States-130-6- Morocco-130-7- Australia-154-8- Japan-165-9- Great Britain & N.I.-193-10- South Africa-198-11- Canada-261-12- Eritrea-266
Senior Men (12km)
1-Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam- ETH-35:02-+0:00;2-Moses Ndiema Kipsiro- UGA-35:04-+0:02;3-Zersenay Tadese- ERI-35:04-+0:02;4-Leonard Patrick Komon- KEN-35:05-+0:03;5-Habtamu Fikadu- ETH-35:06-+0:04;6-Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio- KEN-35:08-+0:06;7-Mark Kosgey Kiptoo- KEN-35:11-+0:09;8-Chakir Boujattaoui- MAR-35:12-+0:10;9-Teklemariam Medhin- ERI-35:14-+0:12;10-Hunegnaw Mesfin- ETH-35:16-+0:14;11-Moses Cheruiyot Mosop- KEN-35:17-+0:15;12-Feyisa Lilesa- ETH-35:22-+0:20;13-Saif Saaeed Shaheen- QAT-35:28-+0:26;14-Mangata Kimai Ndiwa- KEN-35:32-+0:30;15-Dino Sefir- ETH-35:49-+0:47;16-Samuel Tsegay- ERI-35:51-+0:49;17-Tadese Tola- ETH-35:52-+0:50;18-Ahmad Hassan Abdullah- QAT-36:04-+1:02;19-Geofrey Kusuro- UGA-36:07-+1:05;20-Felix Kikwai Kibore- QAT-36:14-+1:12;21-Nicholas Kiprono- UGA-36:16-+1:14;22-Samson Kiflemariam- ERI-36:20-+1:18;23-Stephen Kiprotich- UGA-36:23-+1:21;24-Issak Sibhatu- ERI-36:25-+1:23;25-Linus Kipwambok Chumba- KEN-36:29-+1:27;26-Carles Castillejo- ESP-36:30-+1:28;27-Ahmed Baday- MAR-36:35-+1:33;28-Gamal Belal Salem- QAT-36:37-+1:35;29-Collis Birmingham- AUS-36:38-+1:36;30-Ayad Lamdassem- ESP-36:39-+1:37;31-Alemayehu Bezabeh- ESP-36:41-+1:39;32-Stephen Mokoka- RSA-36:47-+1:45;33-Ryan Vail- USA-36:54-+1:52;34-Brahim Beloua- MAR-36:55-+1:53;35-Khoudir Aggoune- ALG-36:55-+1:53;36-Michael Shelley- AUS-36:58-+1:56;37-Robert Curtis- USA-37:00-+1:58;38-Mouhssin Moubssit- MAR-37:02-+2:00;39-Faustin Musa- TAN-37:03-+2:01;40-Max King- USA-37:05-+2:03;41-Moorosi Soke- RSA-37:05-+2:03;42-Gervais Hakizimana- RWA-37:07-+2:05;43-Ben Siwa- UGA-37:07-+2:05;44-Felix Ntirenganya- RWA-37:07-+2:05;45-José Rocha- POR-37:09-+2:07;46-Mourad Marofit- MAR-37:10-+2:08;47-Suehiro Ishikawa- JPN-37:11-+2:09;48-Jean Baptiste Simukeka- RWA-37:17-+2:15;49-Javier Carriqueo- ARG-37:20-+2:18;50-Jeffrey Gwebu- RSA-37:21-+2:19;51-Tshamano Setone- RSA-37:27-+2:25;52-Sylvain Rukundo- RWA-37:29-+2:27;53-Francisco Javier López- ESP-37:31-+2:29;54-Hussain Jamaan Alhamdah- KSA-37:32-+2:30;55-Essa Ismail Rashed- QAT-37:36-+2:34;56-Kidane Tadasse- ERI-37:37-+2:35;57-Elisante William- TAN-37:38-+2:36;58-Edwardo Torres- USA-37:38-+2:36;59-Seigo Ikegami- JPN-37:38-+2:36;60-Ed Moran- USA-37:42-+2:40;61-Gabriele De Nard- ITA-37:43-+2:41;62-José Luis Blanco- ESP-37:44-+2:42;63-Morhad Amdouni- FRA-37:45-+2:43;64-Hiroyoshi Umegae- JPN-37:47-+2:45;65-Adilson Dolberth- BRA-37:48-+2:46;66-Tonny Wamulwa- ZAM-37:49-+2:47;67-Manuel Ángel Penas- ESP-37:49-+2:47;68-Mark Kenneally- IRL-37:50-+2:48;69-Liam Adams- AUS-37:50-+2:48;70-Suliman Alghodran- JOR-37:55-+2:53;71-Chauncy Master- MAW-37:57-+2:55;72-Licinio Pimentel- POR-37:57-+2:55;73-El-Mokhtar Benhari- FRA-37:57-+2:55;74-Frank Tickner- GBR-37:58-+2:56;75-Brett Gotcher- USA-38:01-+2:59;76-Naoki Okamoto- JPN-38:02-+3:00;77-Ihar Tsetserukou- BLR-38:04-+3:02;78-Andrew Vernon- GBR-38:04-+3:02;79-Eduardo Mbengani- POR-38:05-+3:03;80-James Kibet- UGA-38:06-+3:04;81-Benjamin Malaty- FRA38:08-+3:06;82-Eric Sebahire- RWA-38:11-+3:09;83-Manuel Damião- POR-38:11-+3:09;84-Claudir Rodrigues- BRA-38:13-+3:11;85-Peter Sulle- TAN-38:13-+3:11;86-Philip Nicholls- GBR-38:15-+3:13;87-Michael Skinner- GBR-88-Tao Cheng- CHN-38:29-+3:27;89-Methkal Abu Drais- JOR-38:30-+3:28;90-Denis Mayaud- FRA-38:33-+3:31;91-Lee Merrien- GBR-38:35-+3:33;92-Sérgio da Silva- BRA-38:40-+3:38;93-Musa Amer Obaid- QAT-38:42-+3:40;94-Makoto Fukui- JPN-38:43-+3:41;95-Sibusiso Nzima- RSA-39:03-+4:01;96-Keith Gerrard- GBR-39:03-+4:01;97-Miguel Barzola- ARG-39:09-+4:07;98-Abdullah Abdulaziz Aljoud- KSA-39:11-+4:09;99-Shepherd Kenatshele- BOT-39:14-+4:12;100-Kaelo Mosalagae- BOT-39:22-+4:20;101-Richard Kalumba- ZAM-39:23-+4:21;102-Yohan Durand- FRA-39:25-+4:23;103-Linos Chintali- ZAM-39:28-+4:26;104-Sebastian Hallmann- GER-39:29-+4:27;105-Saheed Khan- CAN-39:30-+4:28;106-Ayman Al Rubaiat- JOR-39:30-+4:28;107-Kgosi Tsosane- RSA-39:31-+4:29;108-Abdel Fattah Zaki Abdelhalem- EGY-39:34-+4:32;109-Alex Genest- CAN-39:34-+4:32;110-Joël Bourgeois- CAN-39:42-+4:40;111-Sevak Yeghikyan- ARM-39:43-+4:41;112-Ahmed Hassein Hassein- EGY-39:44-+4:42;113-Ramoseka Raobine- BOT-39:54-+4:52;114-Rached Amor- TUN-40:02-+5:00;115-Unaswi Dambe- BOT-40:14-+5:12;116-Xiangqian Lin- CHN-40:15-+5:13;117-Hussein Momani- JOR-40:21-+5:19;118-Hassan Hirt- FRA-40:29-+5:27;119-Sotyvoldy Khaitov- TJK-40:34-+5:32;120-Hamza Al-Madahna- JOR-40:53-+5:51;121-Yovanny Adames- DOM-40:54-+5:52;122-Ahmed Bakry- EGY-41:12-+6:10;123-Khaled Giaeda- LBA-41:24-+6:22;124-Hassan Marzouk Eisa- EGY-41:35-+6:33;125-Mahmood Alrashedi- IRQ-41:38-+6:36;126-Derek Nakluski- CAN-41:40-+6:38;127-Raouf Boubaker- TUN-41:55-+6:53;128-Jeiran Khoperia- GEO-42:02-+7:00;129-Ahmad Alibrahim- SYR-42:17-+7:15;130-Ahmad Aljafal- SYR-42:34-+7:32;131-Qais Salim Al-Mahroqi- OMA-42:40-+7:38;132-Mohammad Moharm Hmadallah- EGY-42:44-+7:42;133-Antoine Simon Labiche- SEY-42:50-+7:48;134-Noori Al-Darraji- IRQ-43:05-+8:03;135-Samir Pashayev- AZE-43:16-+8:14;136-Ali Salih- IRQ-43:27-+8:25;137-Abdulzahra Al-Mohammedawi- IRQ-44:29-+9:27;-Gladson Barbosa- BRA-DNF-.-Daniel da Silva- BRA-DNF-.-Bashar Mahmoud Irheil Al-Kufrini- JOR-DNF-.-Abdelrhani El Aouad- MAR-DNF-.-Abdel Naser Mohd. Awajna- PLE-DNF-.-Hélder Ornelas- POR-DNF-.-Rui Pedro Silva- POR-DNF-.-Marvin Blanco- VEN-DNF-.-Ezekiel Jafari Ngimba- TAN-DNS-.-Samwel Shauri- TAN-DNS-.-Jonathan Chinyoka- ZIM-DNS-.-Wirimai Juwawo- ZIM-DNS-.-Oliver Kandiero- ZIM-DNS-.-Cuthbert Nyasango- ZIM-DNS-.-Elmore Sibanda- ZIM-DNS-.-Nkosiyazi Sibanda- ZIM-DNS-
Teams:
1- Kenya-28-2- Ethiopia-28-3- Eritrea-50-4- Uganda-65-5- Qatar-79-6- Morocco-107-7- Spain-140-8- United States-168-9- South Africa-174-10- Rwanda-186-11- Japan-246-12- Portugal-279-13- France-307-14- Great Britain & N.I.-325-15- Jordan-382-16- Botswana-427-17- Canada-450-18- Egypt-466-19- Iraq-532

www.amman2009.com

2009 British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships

Ruthin, Denbighshire

Saturday 21st March 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI made an immediate impact on her debut as a Vet35 by storming to victory at the 2009 British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships held in dry breezy conditions in the North Wales town of Ruthin in Denbighshire.

In the dry breezy conditions with conditions good under foot, Krzywicki, the former United Kingdom 3,000m Steeplechase record-holder representing Charnwood AC, was simply a class apart producing a superb gun-to-tape victory over the 6km course surrounding Ruthin school finishing 30-seconds clear of Bingley Harrier Sarah Jarvis in a time of 21mins 48secs.

There was further success for Leicestershire athletes as World Masters half marathon champion Nicki Nealon won a surprise gold to retain her Vet40 title finishing in fourth place overall in 23:15. This was a remarkable return to form for the Huncote Harrier, who won the title outright in 2008, following her recent operations.

The team title went to Bingley Harriers who pushed Charnwood into second position by a margin of just three-seconds. Midlands Masters champion Clare McKittrick in 8th place with 23:29 and Nicki Thompson in 27th in 25:57 completed the Loughborough's squads line-up.

Above photo by Jeremy Hemming

Full results are available on the following link: www.bvaf.org.uk/results/res2009/Race1-Individual.html

2008/09 McCain UK Cross Challenge Series

(incorp. Inter-Counties Championships & IAAF World Trials)

Wollaton Park, Nottingham

Saturday 7th March 2009

STEPH TWELL completed a fabulous clean-sweep of victories of this seasons McCain UK Cross Challenge series with a stunning solo exhibition run to win by a country mile ahead of her domestic rivals to cement her place in the Great Britain team for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships that take place in Amman, the capital city of the Gulf State of Jordan on March 28th.

Twell, the 19-year-old three-time junior European champion representing Hampshire stepped up to senior level for the first time with consummate ease taking victory having broken clear after 2km to cross the line in a time of 28mins 17secs over a challenging course in the perfect conditions of Nottingham’s Wollaton Park.

This competes the full set of UK Cross Challenge victories for the Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete, having won in Gateshead, Liverpool and Antrim over the winter.

A delighted Twell commented afterwards: “I thought it was a fantastic race, I felt strong throughout relaxed front-running a great stepping stone towards Jordan, I kept pressing on over the hills to gain those extra seconds."

Looking ahead to the World Championships she said: “I feel really confident, I’ve just got to keep fit and healthy, I don’t want to put a limit on where I want to come, but top-twenty would be nice.”

Kendal’s world mountain-running champion Sarah Tunstall claimed a distant second for Cumbria in 28:41 as the Charnwood duo of Jane Potter and a resurgent Hannah Whitmore, showing little signs of the ankle problems that blighted her outdoor season in 2008, produced a battle royal for third to race out for the final guaranteed Team GB slot as Potter representing the hosts Nottinghamshire held her nerve to edge ahead over the line in a time of 28:45.

Potter reflecting on gaining her first senior Team GB call-up said: “This is so nice. It has been hard, but I’ve been lucky to be consistent in my training recently. The only downside is I wish Juliet (her twin sister in 13th) had been closer to me.”

Loughborough graduate Sonia Samuels clocked 28:59 to secure 6th place in 28:59 for the North East with defending champion and fellow university Alumni Laura Kenney 8th in 29:15 representing Warwickshire.

Charnwood internationals Juliet Doyle and Sarah Maude finished 13th and 16th for Nottinghamshire in 29:38 and 29:54 respectively.

However, there maybe a silver lining to Whitmore’s stellar performance for Leicestershire as the selectors could decided to take the 25-year-old, an Under-23 team gold medallist for Great Britain at the 2006 Europeans, for the World Championships on a discretionary place when the squads are announced next week.

Leicestershire finished in 9th place overall in the team standings as Sarah Haines (49th in 31:11), county champion Gemma Steel (55th in 31:25), British Masters international Kate Ramsey (69th in 31:50), Loughborough student Katie Lomas (138th 33:21) and the Midlands Masters champion Clare McKittrick (144th in 33:29) combined with Hannah Whitmore’s excellent fourth place completed the scoring team. Fellow squad members Beverley Gray and Debbie Marsden finished in 169th and 196th positions in 33:58 and 34:50 respectively.

In the Men's Senior 12km race English National champion Frank Tickner was defeated by the British Universities champion Andy Vernon by a margin of three seconds in a time of 37mins 23secs with Lee Merrien taking third in 37:52.

Vernon said afterwards: “I knew it would be closer here than at the national,” he said. “Wollaton Park is a much faster course and more to my liking than Parliament Hill.

“Frank was pushing on over the final stages and I was working hard to stay with him – but I knew he would be trying to do that to get away – I just held on and in the home straight I was able to go for the sprint.”

Former Birmingham & District League champion Mark Powell led the way for Leicestershire in 66th place with a time of 40:24 followed by team scoring Nigel Stirk (110th in 41:37), Peter Swaine (126th in 41:53), Phil Chritchlow (146th in 42:21), Alistair Watson (147th in 42:21) and Jason Williams (171th in 42:51) completing the squad that finished in 17th place overall. Loughborough student Steve Mears finished in 227th place in 44:30.

In the Under-20 men’s 8km race the impressive Nick Goolab representing Middlesex claimed a runaway victory in 25:40 as Leicestershire finished in 16th place overall in the team event led by Josh Norman in 45th place followed by Tom Mahon (79th in 29:14), Michael Brind (118th in 30:23) and Tom Nutt (30:46).

Paul Thompson claimed a hard-fought victory for Warwickshire in the men’s Under-17 6km race clocking a time of 20:31 following a very close finish with Scotland’s Callum Hawkins taking the win by just one second over the line. Leicestershire finished in 19th place overall with the team of Sam Stabler in a fine well-deserved 6th place in 20:50, combined with Lewis Smart (72nd in 22:06), Elliot Hart (122nd in 22:55) and Patrick Radley (128th in 22:52).

A similar story unfolded in the Under-15 boys 4.5km race as Connor Robinson representing Cornwall also claimed the title by a margin of one second out sprinting Suffolk’s Kieron Clements over the line. Jacob Kench led Leicestershire in 31st place in 87th position in 16:29 followed by Steffan Ashman (150th in 16:58), Harry Mullen (171st in 17:05) and Jonathan Monk (180th in 17:09).

In the Under-13 boys 3km race Adam Howard secured victory for Greater Manchester with a time of 12:36 as Xander Tansley continued his fine cross-country season with a top five finish for Leicestershire clocking 12:46 as the county finished in 17th place in the team standings with James Hatton (65th in 13:26), Sam Moore (102nd in 13:40) and Charlie Stevenson (142nd in 13:54) completed the squad.

Lilly Partridge ran a perfect tactical race in taking the junior women’s 6km title ahead of European cross-country silver medallist Charlotte Purdue in a time of 22:55 representing Surrey.

Kettering Harrier Vanessa Rollins was the highest placed athlete for Leicestershire in 62nd place clocking 26:16 as the team finished in 19th place with Amber-Sian Magee (107th in 27:48), Jennifer Warner (119th in 28:05) and Zoe Hawkins (28:29) completing the line-up.

Yorkshire’s Lauren Proctor claimed victory in the Under-17 women’s 5km with a runaway victory in 17:53 as Lucy Crookes secured a fine top-twenty finish in 19th place in 19:34 as Leicestershire also finished in the Top 20 in the team standings with Louisa Monk (102nd in 21:24), Amy Danaher (103rd in 21:26) and Briony Bendle (118th in 21:37).

The outstanding talent Emelia Gorecka, club-mate of Steph Twell at Aldershot, here representing Surrey completed the double of National and Inter-Counties titles with victory in the Under-15 girls 4km race outpacing Cornwall’s Annabel Gummow with a time of 14:22. Freya Vincent in 56th place in 16:16 combined with Megan Fairbrother (71st in 16:27), Tilly Abraham (117th in 17:01) and Lizzie Mellor (17:03) led the Leicestershire squad to a top-twenty place overall.

Leicestershire claimed their highest team finish in Nottingham in the girl’s Under-13 race where Gloucestershire’s Loren Bleaken claimed individual victory over the 3km course with a time of 13mins 31secs as the highly talented Amy Griffiths in 8th place with 13:53 combined with English schools bronze medallist Mari Smith (26th in 14:10), Hannah Cox (60th in 14:53) and Jemima Green (89th in 14:53) led the county to a well-deserved 8th place overall in the team standings.

Report by Mark Woolley - Copyright Athletics-leics.com

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

McCain UK Cross Challenge Inter-Counties Championships – Preview

Thursday 5th March 2009

LEICESTERSHIRE & Rutland teams will be chasing podium places at the 2008/09 McCain UK Cross Challenge Inter-Counties Championships that incorporates the IAAF World Cross Country Trials at Nottingham’s Wollaton Park on Saturday 7th March.

The best chance the county have for success in the senior races lies with the women’s squad that will draw on the talents of a remarkable six athletes from the powerhouse club Charnwood AC - no surprise in this selection by team manager Ian Wilson as the Loughborough-based club have dominated the domestic United Kingdom team events this winter with an unprecedented double success winning the Saucony National Relays title in Mansfield back in November, followed by the English crown in the heavy muddy conditions at Parliament Fields two weeks ago.

British internationals Hannah Whitmore and the winner of the UK Cross Challenge title back in Millennium year, Tara Krzywicki, combined with emerging talent Gemma Steel will head the assault on gaining a set of medals for Leicestershire.

Overwhelming favourite for the individual title in Nottingham will be the three-time European junior champion Steph Twell who is looking to complete a clean-sweep of UK Cross Challenge victories this season, having won in Gateshead, Liverpool and Antrim.

Reigning county and British & Irish Masters champion Tim Hartley (Notts AC) will line-up with Mark Powell (OWLS) to spearhead the challenge in the senior men’s event for Leicestershire where national champion Frank Tickner, winner in 2007, and the British Universities title-holder Andy Vernon look the most likely contenders to battle for the individual crown.
Below is a full list of the Leicestershire & Rutland teams with profiles of the senior squads:
Senior Women’s Team:
Hannah Whitmore (Charnwood AC)

Age 25 - One of the most outstanding naturally gifted talents to emerge from Leicestershire athletics in the past decade, an 800/1500m-track specialist with superb cross-country pedigree. Won Under-23 team gold for Great Britain at the 2006 European Championships in Milan and was part of the Kelly Holmes mentoring programme.

Three-time and youngest ever winner of the Leicestershire domestic cross-country title in 2005, the Leicester University graduate, coached by Phil Banning, collected the Midlands title in 2008 - now happily relocated to Surrey with partner and fellow athlete Tim Doran, she has struggled with a long-term ankle injury that curtailed her outdoor campaign last summer, however, having finished 16th in the BUPA Great Edinburgh race in January and secured third place at the Midlands championships Whitmore looks to be on the road to recovery and will spearhead the county challenge in Nottingham.
Tara Krzywicki (Charnwood AC)

Age 34 - Talismanic leader of Charnwood’s glorious golden team successes since the mid-nineties, a former international footballer for Wales turned to athletics whilst at university in Loughborough gaining instant success making use of her natural sporting ability.

The Yorkshire-born athlete won the UK Cross Challenge individual title back in Millennium year and went on to be a pioneer in the steeplechase for women not only in this country but also around the world - breaking the British record and representing Great Britain over the distance at the 2002 European Cup in the searing heat of Annecy. Has recovered successfully from foot surgery in 2008 to win this season’s North Midlands cross country title.
Kate Ramsey (Barrow Runners)

Age 40 - Evergreen and ever-consistent, Ramsey has enjoyed a glittering career at both Senior and Masters level over the past two decades. Successfully dividing her time between life as an international runner and a busy mother of two the Barrow athlete has dominated the Leicestershire domestic scene this winter both over the country and on the road winning the Derby Runner League title.

Represented Team GB alongside superstar Paula Radcliffe at the Chiba Ekiden Relays in 2005, and despite having to compete over recent years with a worn disc in her spine, which has resulted in a change to her training and racing programme under the guidance of coach Roger Francks, Ramsey continues to defy time easily capable of competing successfully with athletes half her age - a terrific role model for any young athlete coming into the sport.
Clare McKittrick (Charnwood AC)

Age 37 - The Charnwood athlete has returned successfully to the sport following the birth of her first child to win the Midlands Masters title in January. An England international whom as with Tara Krzywicki has enjoyed a long and successfully career as part of Charnwood’s many national and regional team relay titles on both the country and road. Produced a stellar performance to win the Charnwood Hiils (Bowline) race at the weekend.
Clare Mensley (Charnwood AC)

Age 20 - Another product of Charnwood’s amazing production line of top female athletes. Currently studying at Birmingham University, Mensley is the reigning Leicestershire 1500m champion. Performed very well for both club and university teams in the domestic road-relay championships and on the American Ivy League Tour last summer. Represented Great Britain at the Marathon for a United Europe back in September in Greece.
Gemma Steel (Charnwood AC)

Age 23 - The ‘new kid on the block’ in county athletics last year, bubbles with enthusiasm and pure natural talent, now having moved to the powerhouse club Charnwood she enjoyed a stellar breakthrough 2008 winning the Leicestershire road league individual title and the Derby Runner Cross Country League championship crown, plus in the Autumn stormed to victory in the Leicester Half Marathon.

In January she collected her first county cross-country title in the cold and frosty conditions of Melton and finished runner-up to Tara Krzywicki in the North Midlands campaign. She runs complete with a natty pair of green and gold spikes to match the Charnwood vest.
Debbie Marsden (Charnwood AC)

Age 31 - Has improved significantly over the past six months with excellent performances and individual victories on both the cross-country and the road. Originally from Kettering the Leicester University graduate athlete came into the sport quite late in life in her mid-twenties compared to her contempories.

This selection could, however, be her only appearance in the colours of Leicestershire at the Inter-Counties as she plans to relocate to the West Country, so will be ineligible from next year. She is also the reigning county 10,000m track champion.
Sarah Haines (Harborough AC)

Age 33 - The Harborough AC athlete won the East Midlands 10km road-racing title at Moulton back in August of last year and is another of the counties most experienced athletes finishing third behind Gemma Steel and Tara Krzywicki at the Leicestershire cross-country championships.
Helen Rollins (Kettering Town Harriers)

Age 20 - Brilliant academically gifted athlete, speaks many languages and currently represents the light blues of Cambridge University. She finished runner-up in the recent varsity cross-country match against arch-rivals Oxford, an event where she triumphed over 5,000m last summer in the track varsity match and also at the Leicestershire county championships.
Reserves:
Beverley Gray (Charnwood AC), Laura Johnson (Charnwood AC), Julie Lamb (OWLS), Katie Lomas (Charnwood AC), Katie North (Charnwood AC), Claire Wilson (Charnwood AC)
Under-20 Team:
Zoe Hawkins (Charnwood AC)
Amber-Sian Magee (Charnwood AC)
Bessie Rollins (Kettering Town Harriers)
Jennifer Warner (Charnwood AC)
Senior Men’s Team:
Tim Hartley (Notts AC)

Age 40 - One of the most successful club athletes to emerge from the sport in Leicestershire over the past decade both on the road and the cross-country. A former footballer, Hartley, moved up to international Masters level last year and made an immediate impact by winning the British & Irish cross-country title in Swansea back in October.

His greatest successes, however, have come on the road with high profile victories at the Experian Robin Hood Marathon and the Silverstone adidas London Half Marathon. Multiple winner of the Leicestershire domestic county championship titles when representing his second claim club Barrow Runners and regained the cross-country crown ahead of rival Mark Powell in January.
Mark Powell (OWLS)

Age 30 - Terrific talent and determined competitor, Powell is the multiple holder of Leicestershire titles on both the road, track and cross-country underlining his versatility. His finest performance came at the Birmingham Cross Country League in 2008 when he won the overall individual title in what is regarded by many as the toughest domestic campaign in the United Kingdom taking on the best of the British universities talent and prevailing with a set of top performances.

Spearheads coach Wayne Walkers ‘Band of Brothers’ at the OWLS and will line-up alongside Hartley as one of the counties leading athletes in Nottingham. Finished runner-up to British international Olympic triathlete Will Clarke at the recent Charnwood Hills race.
Paul Miles (OWLS)

Age 24 - Track specialist and Leicestershire county 1500m champion with an impressive lifetime best of 3:41.63. As with club mate Rory Fraser he is a graduate of the Leeds Metropolitan University.

Miles has struggled over the past couple of years with injury and form, but looks to be firmly on the road to recovery having produced a solid set of results on the track in the outdoor campaign in 2008 at the (BMC) British Milers meetings including a fine victory over the metric mile at the Stretford Grand Prix in Manchester.

Won the (BUSA) British short course cross-country championships title back in 2005 and finished third at the Leicestershire county championships in January. His best performances, however, have been reserved for the track where in 2006 he made the final of 1500m at the AAA championships in Manchester.
Nigel Stirk (Tipton Harriers)

Age 36 - Very experienced athlete who represents the powerhouse Birmingham club of Tipton Harriers – works for Nottinghamshire Fire Service by profession and finished third in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2008 World Firefighter Games in Liverpool.

Winner of the overall title in the East Midlands Road Running Grand Prix last summer and made a superb debut over the marathon distance in Florence at the end of November - clocking a time of 2:30.15 to claim 14th place overall. Won the UK Fire & Rescue cross-country title in the autumn.
Peter Swaine (Harborough AC)

Age 30 - Finished fourth at the county championships in January and represented Leicestershire last year at the Inter-Counties in Nottingham. A very consistent athlete for his club Harborough, won the Bluecoat 10km at Wollaton Park last summer so is well acquainted with the venue. Ran well at the Prague International Half Marathon in 2008 and finished third in the Charnwood Hills race - the toughest event on the Leicestershire racing calendar.
Phil Chritchlow (Beaumont Running Club)

Age 41 - An excellent all round competitor, winner of the Derby Runner Cross Country League title this winter for the second time in his career having won in 2007 - the Beaumont athlete also represented the Royal Mail Letters team at the JPMorgan Chase event in New York City that same year when the British squad won the event. Collected the 2008 overall title in the Leicestershire Road Running League campaign and won the Holme Pierrepont Heritage Grand Prix Series.

As with Tim Hartley he also competes well at both senior and Masters level and represented Leicestershire at the Inter-Counties twelve months ago. Gains selection by winning the Masters title at the county championships in January.
Jason Williams (OWLS)

Age 36 - Williams has really began to show form and consistence over the past twelve months securing his first breakthrough victory at the Derby Runner Cross Country League fixture in Hinckley last year and claimed the runners-up position at the Rothley 10km on the road in the summer. A good solid performer for the OWLS in the road-relays and this will be his debut for Leicestershire in front of the Sky TV cameras at the high profile Inter-Counties.
Steve Mears (Charnwood AC)

Age 23 - The Loughborough University athlete had a very quiet year in 2008 with one notable performance winning the Team Bath 5km in March plus represented their squad at the BUSA championships in Swansea. Won the Leicestershire 1500m title in 2005 and gains his selection for the Nottingham event having finished in 7th place at the county championships in January.
Steve Platts (OWLS)

Age 42 - The oldest member of the Leicestershire squad, however, as with fellow forty-something’s Tim Hartley and Phil Chritchlow, with age comes experience, racing knowledge and endurance strength. Platts is a very consistent athlete with consistent top-ten finishes and victories at Masters level in both road races and on the country, having finished runner-up to Chritchlow at the county championships in the Vet40 category.
Reserves:
Ben Lacey (OWLS), Tom Meakin (OWLS), Alastair Watson (Hermitage Harriers), Mark Couldwell (Charnwood)
Under-20 Team:
Josh Norman (OWLS)
Tom Mahon (OWLS)
Michael Brind (Charnwood)
Tom Nutt (OWLS)
Andrew Lomas (Charnwood)
Jonny Pegg (Rutland AC)
Scott Baxter (Charnwood AC)
Junior Teams:
Boys
Under 13
Z Tansey, J Hatton, L Mathers, C Stevenson, S Moore, S Elliot, W Rawlinson, B Craig
Reserves
S Mabley, P Maddocks, G Jones
Under 15
J Kench, J Nutt, D Freeman, R Radley, S Ashman, C Parkes-Bowen, H Mullen, J Monk
Reserves
H Buttery, J Cox, P Mills
Under 17
D Hallam, S Stabler, G Buttery, A Chambers, J Harrison, E Hart, P Radley, L Smart
Reserves
L Phelan, S Densham, D Callow, S Maddocks
Girls
Under 13
Amy Griffiths, Mari Smith, Georgia Gartside, Rachel Borrows, Chloe Tillin, Livvy Tansey, Jemima Green, Hannah Cox
Reserves
India Mitchell-Jarvis, Emily Hollis, Jasmine Southam, Lucy Golland
Under 15
Freya Vincent, Georgie Brookes, Emily Sales, Megan Fairbrother, April Beeby, Tilly Abraham, Emily Orton,
Lizzie Mellor (Subject to availability.)
Joni Ashford (Subject to availability.)
Reserves
Kim Jalland, Zoe DeRijk, Lizzie Golland
Under 17
Lucy Crookes, Louisa Monk, Emma Brown, Briony Bendle, Amy Danaher, Catherine Robertson, Katya Blackledge, Jenny Smith
Reserves
Charlotte Wilkinson-Burnett, Sarah Ward, Jessica Edge, Tania White
Event Timetable:

11.05am U20 Men 8km 

11.33am U13 Boys 3km 

11.51am Senior Women 8km

12.23pm U15 Boys 4.5km 

12.42pm U17 Women 5km 

13.06pm U20 Women 6km 

13.32pm U13 Girls 3km 

13.52pm U17 Men 6km 

14.15pm U15 Girls 4km 

14.36pm Senior Men 12km

Profiles compiled by Mark Woolley.

The 2008/09 McCain UK Cross Challenge Final incorporating the UK Inter-Counties Championships and the IAAF World Cross Country Trials will be shown live on Sky Sports 3 from 11.00-15.30pm. www.uka.org.uk/competitions/uk-cross-challenge/cross-challenge-final/

2009 Saucony English National Cross Country Championships

Parliament Hill Fields, London

Saturday 21st February 2009

CHARNWOOD AC successfully won the women’s senior team title for the second time in their illustrious history at the 2009 Saucony English National Cross Country Championships to repeat their success at the same London venue three years previous.

The team of Jane Potter, Hannah Whitmore, Juliet Doyle and Gemma Steel claimed overall victory ahead of Bristol & West and the Hallamshire Sheffield squad.

Under bright blue skies and the early spring sunshine at Parliament Hill Fields race victory over the muddy undulating challenging senior women’s 8km course went to the former British steeplechase record-holder and Beijing Olympian Hatti Dean (Hallamshire) as the 27-year-old Sheffield athlete competed victory by a margin of 12 seconds ahead of Kendal’s mountain running specialist Sarah Tunstall crossing the line in a time 29mins 34secs. Loughborough University graduate Sonia Samuels (Sale Manchester) claimed third in 30:00.

The gold medal team scoring quartet for Charnwood were led by fourth placer Jane Potter (30:07), former Midlands champion Hannah Whitmore (13th in 31:10), Jane’s twin sister Juliet Doyle (15th in 31:18) and the reigning Leicestershire county champion Gemma Steel (17th in 31:28) as the Loughborough-based club comfortably claimed the title with a combined points total of 49 well ahead of their West Country rivals on 115 with Hallamshire Sheffield taking third on 142.

Former British Universities 10,000m track champion Sarah Maude also claimed a top twenty finish for Charnwood clocking a time of 31:39, whilst, team mate Tara Krzywicki, winner of the individual title in Millennium year, clocked 32:25 to claim 31st place.

East Midlands 10km road racing title-holder Sarah Haines (Harborough) and the Charnwood duo of Beverley Gray and Laura Johnson who will all line-up for Team Leicestershire at next month’s McCain UK Cross Challenge Inter-Counties Championships in Nottingham finished 50th, 78th and 136th respectively.

Charnwood team manager Sarah Whitmore was delighted with the performance commenting: "We had a good team out and everyone ran really well, It was great to win both the National X/C team title and the National X/C relays championships back in November completing the domestic double."

Team GB international Frank Tickner, the second Brit home behind Mo Farah at the Brussels SPAR European Cross Country Championships in December, was the winner of the men’s senior 12km title as the 25-year-old Wells City Harrier held off the challenge of Stockport’s British Universities champion and European Under-23 silver medalist Steve Vernon to cross the line in a time of 38mins 10secs, with Andy Vernon (Aldershot) taking third in 38:29.

Highest placed for Leicestershire in the senior event was Paul Miles (OWLS) in 25th place with 40:35 followed by the British & Irish Masters champion Tim Hartley (Notts AC) 32nd in 40:53. County champion Mark Powell (OWLS) clocked 41:19 to secure 43rd place as the OWLS finished in 20th place overall in the team standings where Somali-born Moumin Geele, in the absence of former European cross-country champion Mo Farah, away competing in record-breaking form over 3,000m at the AVIVA Indoor Grand Prix meeting in Birmingham, led Newham & Essex Beagles to the title.

The destination of the junior women’s title was never really in doubt as Great Britain’s superb three-times and reigning European champion Steph Twell was simply a class apart, the 19-year-old St Mary’s student representing Aldershot, Farnham & District completed a 15 second victory ahead of a strong plucky challenge from Lauren Howarth (Leigh Harriers) in a time of 18:09. Loughborough student Stevie Stockton (Vale Royal) finished in fourth place in 18:55.

Belgrave Harrier Nick Goolab won the men’s junior race in 34:09 as the Leicester OWLS team completed a top ten finish led by Tom Mahon in 45th place with 37:43 combined with Eddie Highton (71st in 38:36), Josh Norman (80th in 39:07) and Tom Bell (115th in 40:47).

Sam Stabler (OWLS) produced a strong performance to claim a well-deserved 4th place finish in the men’s Under-17 race clocking a time of 20:28, narrowly missing out on a bronze medal following a close finish as Aldershot’s all-conquering junior squad claimed further success when Southern area champion Jonny Hay won the individual title over the 6km course in 19:55 ahead of Shaftesbury Barnet Harrier Richard Goodman (20:27). The OWLS squad was unfortunately depleted due to illness and injuries leading up to the event.

Where Charnwood’s women have dominated the senior team competitions over the past decade the next generation of success for the county looks to be emerging from the Leicester Coritanian junior squads and that was clearly underlined in the Under-13 girls 3km race where once again the powerful Aldershot team look to be their and the rest of the United Kingdom’s main rivals over the next few year’s as they claimed a further team victory in the event won by Carlisle’s Abbie Hetherington in 12:37.

Midlands champion Amy Griffiths led the way for the Coritanians with a fine fifth place finish in 12:58 as she combined with team mates Mari Smith, the English schools bronze medallist (15th in 13:11), Alice Murfitt (26th in 13:29) and India Mitchell-Jarvis (115th in 14:27) to win a well-deserved set of silver medals for the city-based club.

Lucy Crookes was the top finisher for Leicestershire in the Under-17 race won by Aldershot’s Louise Small in 18:30 - the Coritanian clocked 20:53 over the 5km course to secure 13th place overall.

Aldershot also dominated the 4km Under-15 girls race as the very impressive Emelia Gorecka, the reigning Inter-Counties and English schools champion, successfully retain her title with a time of 13:57 to lead the Hampshire club to further team success. Leicester Coritanians finished in fifth place over with Freya Vincent claiming their highest placed finish in 33rd (16:02) backed by Georgie Brooks in 55th place, Emily Orton, 61st and Tilly Abraham in 87th position.

Xander Tansey led the Coritanians to a top twenty team finish in the 3km Under-13 boys race finishing in 17th place overall in 12:25 as James Knox representing Helm Hill Runners won the title in 11:46. Charnwood AC finished in 26th place overall.

Report by Mark Woolley - Copyright Athletics-leics.com

Above photo: Charnwood AC senior women's squad - left to right back row:
Gemma Steel, Laura Johnson, Hannah Whitmore, Juliet Doyle, Jane Potter. Front row: Tara Krzywicki, Sarah Maude. Inset: Beverley Gray

Full results are available on the following link: www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=48

Next stop on the domestic cross-country calendar for 2009 is the final fixture in the McCain UK Cross Challenge Series incorporating the UK Inter-Counties Championships and the IAAF World Cross Country Trials that take place on Saturday 7th March 2009 at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, which will be shown live on Sky Sports. www.uka.org.uk/competitions/uk-cross-challenge/cross-challenge-final/

2008/09 Derby Runner Cross Country League - Race 5

Foremark Reservoir, Ticknall, Derbyshire

Sunday 15th February 2009

KATE RAMSEY completed her fourth victory in five races to secure the overall women's individual title at this season's Derby Runner Cross Country League campaign.

The 40-year-old British Masters international representing Barrow Runners clocked a time of 37mins 12secs over the two-lap course surrounding the Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire to take victory ahead of former champion Sally Newman (Wreake), with Laura Johnson (Ivanhoe), winner of the previous race at Grace Dieu, taking third.

The men's race, however, finished in confusion as Beaumont's long-time leader Phil Chritchlow, chasing the overall title he won back in 2007, went off course at a point where there was no marshalls or directional arrows with 400 metres remaining in the race to drop back into tenth place leaving Barrow's Geoff Beetham to take a surprise victory in 32:52.

Chris Nicholl of Derby Tri secured the runners-up postion in 33:19 ahead of team mate Dave Bishop (33:45).

Above photo – Kate Ramsey on her way to victory.

Photo by Jason Addison.

Editors Comment:

It's always unfortunate when this happens in races where an athlete goes off course through no fault of his or her own, and this is not just reserved to local events, back in 1994 at the New York City Marathon race winner German Silva of Mexico went off course following the TV camera motorbike rather than the lead vehicle, however, he did recover to eventually win the race.

Re-running the race would be impossible, however, one solution is to let the result stand but also award Phil Chritchlow the points for winning in the interest of fair play as he did have a clear lead on the chasing field.

Full individual results are available on the following link: www.derbyrunnerleague.co.uk/XC05.html

Team Results:
Men
1-Hatton-280;2-Derby Tri-323;3-Wreake-325;4-Hinckley-422;5-Shepshed-439;6-Hermitage-519;7-Birstall-564;8-South Derbys-642;9-Harborough-661;10-Barrow-666;11-West End-694;12-Shelton-745;13-Owls-747;14-Ivanhoe-857;15-Desford-858;16-Rolls Royce-870
Women
1-Wreake-36;2-Shepshed-61;3-Hatton-67;4-Birstall-85;5-West End-112;6-Derby Tri-121;7-Ivanhoe-134;8-Shelton-145;9-Huncote-153;10-Desford-173;11-Barrow-173;12-Hinckley-221;13-Harborough-241;14-Roadhoggs-253;15-South Derbys-305
Combined
1-Hatton-271;2-Wreake-308;3-Derby Tri-346;4-Shepshed-362;5-Huncote-449;6-Birstall-471;7-Barrow-539;8-West End-618;9-Harborough-634;10-Shelton-666;11-South Derbys-732;12-Desford-782;13-Ivanhoe-784