Wednesday 30th April 2008

OLYMPIC gold medallist Jason Gardener and the United Kingdom’s top pole-vaulter Steve Lewis were at Loughborough University last week to offer top tips and advice to some of the country’s best young athletes.

As part of the day at the Sainsbury’s Futures Seminar, Gardener and Lewis put the young athletes through a testing and challenging strength and conditioning session.

Gardener said: “The Sainsbury’s Futures Seminar offered me a chance to encourage and offered me a chance to encourage and offer advice to some of our most talented young athletes in England.”

It also gave a group of the most talented prospects from within the ESAA system, the opportunity to learn about the psychology of sport, lifestyle and nutrition.

Loughborough-based Lewis, one of the UK’s best prospects for the London 2012 Olympics, said: “These young athletes are at a critical age to make or break their careers.

“Hopefully, meeting Jason and myself will inspire them to use the information on offer today and go and succeed in their chosen fields.”

Gardener also announced that he is to take up a role as a mentor for Britain's up and coming athletes and could help prepare the sprint relay squad for the Olympics.

The 32-year-old, who won gold with the 4x100 metres team in Athens, retired at the end of last season and often plays a part in the coaching of Craig Pickering at the high performance centre in Bath.

Gardener said the relay squad, coached by Michael Khmel, will be well drilled in Beijing but a reshuffle will be needed because of the Achilles injury that has ruled out Mark Lewis-Francis.

Speaking at Loughborough, Gardener said: "I was sorry about Mark's injury because I thought he was looking good last season.

"It leaves Marlon Devonish as the only one left from the 2004 team. But we still have a lot of talented sprinters."

Wednesday 23rd April 2008

THE biggest ever ‘On Camp with Kelly’ Educational Camp, supported by Norwich Union, took place in Loughborough from 1st to 10th April 2008. 41 athletes and 24 coaches attended the camp for some or all of the ten days. The camp was split between two venues with excellent sporting and other facilities, Loughborough University and Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College in nearby Woodhouse Eaves in Leicestershire.

The 15 new girls chosen at the recent OCWK Selection Day attended the full ten day camp which aimed to teach them about all the different aspects they will need to become a world class international athlete.

One of the first challenges they had to face was having their bags taken from them and having to survive with just their hand luggage for up to two days. Their parents were given an insight into what they had achieved on the camp at a special session on the last day.

For the first time ever 11 young male athletes took part in an ‘On Camp with Kelly’ camp, attending for four days from 3rd to 6th April. These athletes – Ed Aston, James Brewer, David Forrester, Kris Gauson, Ben Lindsay, Ross Millington, Mark Mitchell, Adam Moore, Andrew Osagie, Chris Smith and Ricky Stevenson – were chosen as a result of their excellent performances over 800m and 1500m over the last two years and benefited from having former GB middle distance international Anthony Whiteman as their camp supervisor.

While at Welbeck College the 26 new athletes, who were also joined by 16 of the existing ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes for three days, took part in Army Command Tasks, group track and circuit training sessions, media training, a 100% ME drug-free sport workshop and talks on subjects such as nutrition, medical issues, lifestyle management and sports psychology. The athletes were also privileged to meet Kelly’s coach during the final years of her career, Margot Jennings, who flew in from the USA to pass on her knowledge and expertise.

There was also an athlete panel Q&A session where participants were able to learn from the experiences of current and former GB international athletes Karen Harewood, Loughborough graduate Becky Lyne, Tim Hutchings and Eamonn Martin and watch footage of some of their races.

24 of the athletes’ coaches also attended the camp over the weekend when they took part in a course on injury prevention, learnt about cycles and peaking from Margot Jennings and attended other sessions together with the athletes.

One of the highlights of the camp was the competition simulation event which took place on Saturday 5th April. It was set up as if the athletes were competing at an international event in Poland as the IAAF World Junior Championships take place there later this year, an important target for many of the athletes. The event had electronic timing and was run by UK Athletics graded officials and the athletes went through the same procedures as they would at a major championship, from the call room to the doing media interviews in the mixed zone to simulated drug testing.

The athletes and coaches also of course benefited from the unique opportunity to learn from Kelly’s knowledge and experiences over her successful athletics career.

The camp in Loughborough and the whole ‘On Camp with Kelly’ programme would not be possible without the generous support of sponsor Norwich Union.

A video of the Loughborough OCWK is available on the following link: www.doublegold.co.uk/ocwk/ocwk-educational-camp-video

Wednesday 16th April 2008

SARA MCGREAVY, the 25-year-old British international sprint hurdler and Loughborough University graduate, will be presenting medals at a family fun run being held next weekend at Donisthorpe Woodland Park on Sunday (20th April).

Organisers of the event said there is still time for participants to sign up. The day will consist of a mascot dash, a 2km and a 4km race that will be open to all ages and abilities.

Sara McGreavy currently runs for the Sale Harriers athletics club. She was ranked 4th in the UK for 2006 and 23rd best ever in the 100m hurdles. For the 2005/2006 indoor season she was ranked 3rd in the UK in 60m hurdles, and on the 27th January 2007 she became one of the British Top 10 fastest women over that distance ever.

On 10th February 2007 she improved on this at the UK Championships and won the 60m hurdles in a time of 8.03s. Not only did this make her number 1 in Britain in 2007 but also the 4th fastest of all time. This meant she qualified for the 2007 European Indoor Championships in Birmingham reaching the final and came a creditable 5th with a time of 8.04s. Sara began the 2008 indoor season off to a good start by finishing runner-up in the UK Indoor Championship.

The fun run will start at Donisthorpe Woodland Centre and the undulating routes will follow stone paths through Donisthorpe Woodland Park.

The route is suitable for all, however, wheelchair-users may need assistance in some places. Entertainment will include games for children, refreshments and food. Participants can register on the morning of the fun run at a cost of £10 for adults and £6 children aged five to 17.

The event begins at 10am and finishes at about noon. Each person will get a T-shirt and a medal for completing the run. Half of all money raised will go to the British Heart Foundation.

For more information, or to register for the run, call David Rudman on 01530 454557 or e-mail: david.rudman@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

Saturday 12th April 2008

A COMPETITION simulation event took place on Saturday 5th April as part of the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ Educational Camp in Loughborough.

The event had electronic timing and the requisite number of UKA graded officials and involved OCWK athletes taking part in the camp as well as some local guest athletes. The athletes were divided into five teams – Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Kenya, Poland, Russia and USA - with Kenya winning the team competition

The athletes arrived at 10am, spirits were high and there was a strong field on display. The temperature conditions were fairly good, but the weather was changeable, with intermittent showers and winds, which affected some races more than others.

First race on the track was the Women’s Open 1,000m that resulted in a 1-2 for the Farnell sisters. 15-year-old Lucy Farnell (USA) won in front of her older sister Zara (Kenya) in 3.00.50.

In the Women’s 600m Leigh Lennon (USA) set the early pace with the group bunched in very tightly behind her. Through 200m in 31.4 seconds the pace then began to quicken and 18-year-old Alison Leonard (Kenya) took the lead down the back straight, with Carolyn Plateau (Russia) moving into second place. As Alison stretched away to victory fast finishing Stacey Smith (Poland) overhauled Carolyn in the home straight and they finished second and third respectively.

Alison’s time of 1.30.96 was nearly two seconds faster than she ran in the 600m during last year’s Educational Camp and she was pleased with her victory: “I ran 1.32 last year so I am pleased to improve, especially because it was pretty cold and windy today.”

This was followed by the Men’s 600m where Andrew Osagie (Kenya) allowed Chris Smith (Poland) to take the early pace as he waited on his shoulder until the last 150m to move out and sprint away to victory. The two OCWK athletes led a field of younger club athletes home to fast times over this rarely run distance. Andrew stopped the clock on 1.20.70, a second in front of Chris and he was satisfied with his first run of the season: “I think I executed my race quite well, I led down the home straight and I am satisfied with the time for this early stage in the year.” He also spoke about his team and warned that Kenya meant business: “We’re a strong team and we’re hoping for results today.”

Chris Smith was pleased with the close finish and the battle for first place, but also spoke of the battle with the wind, which had been tough throughout the race.

The next race was the Women’s 800m that witnessed 16-year-old Rowena Cole (Kenya) front running her way to victory by three seconds as she stopped the clock on 2.11.78. Just in front of the pack at 300m, she had a slight gap at the bell. She passed 400m in 66.11 and stretched her lead down the back straight, completing a slightly quicker second lap and securing victory. Ejiro Okoro (Russia) was second in 2.14.78. Klachen Cheshire overcame her nerves to achieve a solid third place in 2.15.07: “I’m not actually an 800m runner…” she said “but it was nice to get a run out with them.”

Alex Turner, who joined OCWK in 2007, was pleased with the competition, she had enjoyed running with the new girls and highlighted that there is some promising talent on display.

A tactical affair unfolded in the Women’s 100m as Suzi Boast (GBR) led the race for the first 800m and had a slight gap on the rest of the field before Laura Weightman (Kenya) and Jordan Kinney (USA) began to move out on the last bend, passing Suzi in the home straight and having a battle for victory. Stride for stride in the last 100m Laura just edged out Jordan with the girls recording 2.57.85 and 2.58.07 respectively. Suzi was third in 2.59.13.

After a hard week’s training on her first ‘On Camp with Kelly’ experience Laura was pleased with her victory: “I was surprised how good my finish was because we have been working hard this week. I enjoyed the race and it was fun racing against the other girls.” She added that she felt good throughout the race despite the less than perfect conditions. “I just focussed on running my own race and enjoyed the close finish with Jordan Kinney.”

Jordan said that the race went pretty much as she had expected, the slow start enabling her to save energy for her notorious sprint finish. But unfortunately she had let the gap get to big and was then hit by the wind on the home straight. She spoke after the race: “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t up there, but at the end of the day I just had to focus on running my own race”

Russia took the Gold in the Men’s 1,000m as the race was won by Ricky Stevenson. The field was very bunched for the first half of the race with no one willing to take the pace but Ross Millington (GBR) pushed to the front with 300m remaining before Ricky Stevenson (Russia) eventually ran out the winner with a sprint down the home straight, recording 2.37.37.

Ricky said: “I’m always confident with my finish so when it was slow I was happy and I used my speed to come away and win the race.”

A breathless Ross Millington who took third spoke after the race: he said it had been a tough run and no one seemed to want to set the pace. “We’ve just been running cross country until now, but this was good preparation for the track season, it was a good blow out!”

Youngster Jack Elliott ran a solid race; especially considering the rest of the field had 2 -4 years on him. “I really enjoyed it and I know exactly where I need to be in 3 years time,” said a very confident Elliott.

The last race of the programme was the Women’s 1500m, Heather Timmins (Russia) led the race before her tight calves forced her to drop out 50 metres before the bell. Kate Avery (Poland) took up the pace and came away to win just three seconds outside her personal best in 4.33.64. Behind her in second, Rachel Stringer (USA), who had been towards the back of the field at the start of the race ran brilliantly to shatter her personal best by 12 seconds, recording 4.36.83.

Kate was surprised and pleased with the win as well as the time that she ran: “I’m very happy with that; I didn’t expect it at all. We have been training hard in the camp, we did tough circuits yesterday. It’s far quicker than I started with at the beginning of last year, I’m pleased with that.”

Taking the third place, Monique Powell of Poland said the wind had picked up and the temperature had dropped whilst they were out there: “My legs really tightened up in the cold and I was fading towards the end.”

Guest athlete Tamara Armoush (GBR) set a new personal best with 4:38.92. Considering the conditions and that it was so early in the season, the athletes certainly put on some very impressive performances.

Report by Tara Bird and Hannah Ingram.

www.doublegold.co.uk/

Loughborough University

Tuesday 8th April 2008

DOUBLE Olympic champion Kelly Holmes is dedicating 10 days to train and mentor some of Britain’s best young talent within the 800m and 1500m disciplines.

Holmes is leading these up-and-coming athletes though an intensive training and educational camp based at Loughborough University. The camp started on Tuesday 1st April and runs until Thursday 10th.

A talented young mix of 30 girls and 11 boys from around the UK are attending the Educational Camp as part of Holmes’ exclusive mentoring scheme, ‘On Camp with Kelly’, supported by Norwich Union, where they are being put through their paces by the double Olympic champion herself and other key influential figures within the sport.

The intensive camp aims to prepare up-and-coming British athletes to become future champions in the lead up to London 2012. As well as rigorous training, the camp also includes army command tasks, competition scenarios, seminars and workshops on topics such as injury prevention, hydration, nutrition, medical issues and anti-doping.

Holmes said: “Now is the time for us to stand up and recognise home grown talent and give young athletes all the support they need to become Olympic champions. ‘On Camp with Kelly’ is about giving the athletes all the tools they need to achieve at the highest level in athletics. I see my role as helping to make sure that they are mentally and physically prepared for their races, but also that they are prepared for the practical elements of life as a world class athlete, and all the challenges that may come with that. This is a great chance for them to experience what is needed in order to compete at the top level.”

The ‘On Camp with Kelly’ experience provides 800m and 1500m female runners with the unique opportunity to learn and benefit from the Double Olympic Champion’s knowledge and experience in athletics. Over half of the attendees are new recruits to the scheme, and will be having their first taste of the camp.

Holmes was at the Welbeck Sixth Form Defence College, near Loughborough, running a camp to hone the skills of potential future Olympians.

The tasks were part of a 10-day training and educational camp run by Dame Kelly, who won gold in the 800m and 1,500m at the 2004 Athens Olympics, to assist talented young runners.

A group of 30 girls and 11 boys from around the UK took part. Holmes said: "Now is the time for us to stand up and recognise home-grown talent and give young athletes all the support they need to become Olympic champions.

"The camp is about giving the athletes all the tools they need to achieve at the highest level in athletics, I see my role as helping to make sure that they are mentally and physically prepared for their races, but also that they are prepared for the practical elements of life as a world-class athlete, and all the challenges that may come with that - this is a really great chance for them to experience what is needed in order to compete at the top level."

Loughborough University sociology student Claire Tarplee, (19) a middle-distance athlete who represents Solihull & Small Heath AC attended the camp.

Commenting: "The Army command tasks were really intense and tiring but well worth it, they gave an extra dimension to the usual training we do and it's been great to have the chance to learn from Kelly, who has succeeded at the highest level.

"I'm an 800m and 1,500m runner and I've got one eye on the 2012 Olympics but I'm just trying to develop day by day."

www.doublegold.co.uk/ocwk

Sykes Lane, Whitwell, Rutland Water

Saturday 15th March 2008

INDIVIDUAL and team honours were spread across Leicestershire and Rutland at the 2008 Leicestershire Primary Schools County Cross Country Championships. Held at Rutland Water and superbly organised by the Rutland Area in collaboration with Anglian Water, the event was contested by over 500 of the leading runners of 9 Area teams. In an exciting finale to the primary schools cross-country season, each of the six individual and six team titles were won by different Areas in an enthralling morning’s competition, George Smolinski reports.

In the Year 4 category, Elizabeth Mulvaney (Loughborough) held off her great league rival, Lucy Jones (Bradgate), to add a County crown to add to the league title she won in December. However, the South Leics team had 6 runners in the first 13 home and easily won the first team trophy on offer with the lowest score of the day. In the corresponding boy’s race Ben Dijkstra (Bradgate) maintained his stranglehold at this age group to win his first County title to add to his previous two league successes.

The Bradgate team, ably headed by Ben and runner-up Alfie Thompson, narrowly took the team title by a seven-point margin from South Leics.

Hannah Cox’s (Year 5 - North-Leics) mantelpiece must be groaning as this outstanding young athlete added a third County victory to add to her series of league titles. Runner-up Charlotte Broughton added a team gold to her collection as she led her Mid Leics team-mates to a single point success over Hinckley. Harvey Barnes (Mid-Leics) took his first County Championship ahead of Sam Elliott (Hinckley) who had been undefeated during his league campaign. Nevertheless Sam made a valuable contribution to the Hinckley squad who won the team trophy ahead of a spirited South Leics challenge.

In the Year 6 race, Melton’s Mari Smith now has a complete set of County medals having won silver and bronze in the previous two years. Her gold medal performance relegated Alice Murfitt (Loughborough), last year’s Champion, to second place but Alice had the consolation of picking up a team gold as her Loughborough team notched a low 66 point total in their team category. Sam Mabey (South-Leics) just failed to win the league title by a solitary point but showed he was in good form again as he won his third consecutive County title. Fittingly the host team, Rutland, won the final team trophy on offer.

With a series of good team performances throughout the morning South Leics team won the Overall team title ahead of Hinckley and Rutland.
Leading Results:
Year 4 Girls
1 Elizabeth Mulvaney (Loughborough); 2 Lucy Jones (Bradgate); 3 Bronya Bird (Mid-Leics)
Year 4 Boys
1 Ben Dijkstra (Bradgate); 2 Alfie Thompson (Bradgate); 3 Milo Abraham (Loughborough)
Year 5 Girls
1 Hannah Cox (North Leics); 2 Charlotte Broughton (Mid-Leics); 3 Caitlin Danaher (Vale of Belvoir)
Year 5 Boys
1 Harvey Barnes (Mid-Leics); 2 Sam Elliott (Hinckley); 3 Sam Edwards (South Leics)
Year 6 Girls
1 Mari Smith (Vale of Belvoir); 2 Alice Murfitt (Loughborough); 3 Georgia Gartside (North West Leics)
Year 6 Boys
1 Sam Mabey (South Leics); 2 Ryan Lee (Mid-Leics); 3 George Thomas (Bradgate)
Team:
Year 4 Girls
1 South Leics 54, 2 Bradgate 128, 3 Hinckley 143
Year 4 Boys
1 Bradgate 72, 2 South Leics 79, 3 Vale of Belvoir 152
Year 5 Girls
1 Mid-Leics 103, 2 Hinckley 104, 3 South Leics 119
Year 5 Boys
1 Hinckley 71, 2 South Leics 80, 3 Mid-Leics 113
Year 6 Girls
1 Loughborough 66, 2 Hinckley 92, 3 South Leics 121
Year 6 Boys
1 Rutland 98, 2 Loughborough 119, 3 Vale of Belvoir 159
Overall Teams:
1 South Leics 676, 2 Hinckley 758, 3 Rutland 973

2008 Sainsbury’s (ESAA) English Schools Cross Country Championships

Sefton Park, Liverpool

Saturday 8th March 2008

AS the Senior Great Britain & Northern Ireland team were in action at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Valencia, the next generation of the United Kingdom’s top talent were displaying their talents in the windy and muddy conditions of Liverpool’s Sefton Park at the 2008 Sainsbury’s (ESAA) English Schools Cross Country Championships.

Joanne Harvey and David Forrester won the Senior titles as Harvey, representing Devon, produced an upset by finishing ahead of pre-race favourite and European cross-country Bronze medallist Charlotte Purdue, who was returning from injury.

Forrester returned to form following his disappointing third in the Under-20 race at the Saucony English National Championships two weeks ago at Alton Towers. The Greater Manchester athlete comfortably finished clear of Phil Berntsen.

As with all the major contenders they will be seeking to secure places in the Great Britain team for the Edinburgh IAAF World Cross Country Championships at the trials race that take place in Nottingham next weekend (15th March).

Laura Park followed up her National Under-17 title with a clear victory in the Intermediate Girls' race, as Jonny Hay won the boys event.

Emelia Gorecka maintained her terrific unbeaten run this season by finishing first in the Junior race, as Connor Robinson won the Boys event following a sprint finish with Tom Purnell.
Leading medal winners and Leicestershire & Rutland individual/team results:
Senior Boys
1 D Forrester (Gt Manc) 20:50; 2 P Berntsen (Hants) 21:12; 3 J Wilkinson (W Yorks) 21:13; 19 Tom Bell (Leics) 22:16; 61 Tom Mahon (Leics) 22:52; 62 Kristopher Axon (Leics) 22:52; 72 Ben Lacey (Leics) 22:59; 92 Scott Baxter (Leics) 23:16; 120 Eddie Glaister (Leics) 23:33
Team:
1 West Yorkshire 199; 8 Leicestershire & Rutland 426
Inter Boys
1 J Hay (Surrey) 19:35; 2 T Carson (Gt Manc) 19:49; 3 R Galt (Gloucs) 19:52; 24 Lewis Smart (Leics) 20:42; 50 Dan Hallam (Leics) 21:03; 88 Ashley Chambers (Leics) 21:37; 89 Sam Stabler (Leics) 21:37; 90 John Dossett (Leics) 21:38; 157 Liam Phelan (Leics) 22:12
Team:
1 Kent 339; 6 Leicestershire & Rutland) 498
Junior Boys
1 C Robinson (Corn) 12:54; 2 T Purnell (Gloucs) 12:55; 3 K Hayer (Berks) 12:59; 15 Jacob Kench (Leics) 13:26; 172 Stefan Ashman (Leics) 14:30; 190 Rupert Radley (Leics) 14:34; 288 Jonathan Monk (Leics) 15:02; 299 Joe Tambini (Leics) 15:07; 319 James Nutt (Leics) 15:23
Team:
1 West Yorkshire 202; 40 Leicestershire & Rutland 2083
Senior Girls
1 J Harvey (Devon) 15:01; 2 C Purdue (Hants) 15:02; 3 H Timmins (Chesh) 15:23; 41 Joanna Gurney (Leics) 16:48; 65 Amber-Sian Magee (Leics) 17:10; 138 Becky Krych (Leics) 18:05; 174 Lauren Hall (Leics) 18:38; 179 Emily Milodowski (Leics) 18:40; 188 Rachel Chard (Leics) 18:44
Team:
1 Hants 124; 24 Leicestershire & Rutland 785
Inter Girls
1 L Park (Cumb) 13:22; 2 L Small (Hants) 13:33; 3 R Craigie (Chesh) 13:42; 108 Louisa Monk (Leics) 15:27; 140 Briony Bendle (Leics) 15:41; 146 Megan Booler (Leics) 15:44; 224 Amy Danaher (Leics) 16:17; 252 Katya Blackledge (Leics) 16:31; 264 Natasha Timson (Leics) 16:40
Team:
1 Surrey 210; 34 Leicestershire & Rutland 1134
Junior Girls
1 E Gorecka (Surrey) 12:21; 2 R Haynes (Surrey) 12:43; 3 J Spannagl (Sussex) 12:49; 45 Emily Sales (Leics) 14:05; 61 Freya Vincent (Leics) 14:14; 82 Tilly Abraham (Leics) 14:24; 94 Megan Fairbrother (Leics) 14:27; 108 April Beeby (Leics) 14:36; 148 Joni Ashford (Leics) 14:48
Team:
1 Surrey 148; 6 Leicestershire & Rutland 538

Full results are available on the following link:
www.esaa.net

Sunday 2nd March 2008

THERE was double success for Leicester Coritanian girls as they secured individual West Midlands Cross-Country League titles in the final race of the series held at Perry Barr in Birmingham.

In windy conditions over a fast course, Freya Vincent led home the Under-15 girls' field to win her first victory of the series to secure the individual prize, whilst, club-mate Amy Griffiths won the Under-13 age-group with a second-place finish. What makes their successes remarkable is that both are bottom-aged athletes. Vincent ran a controlled race, taking the lead on the second lap and never relinquishing it.

Georgie Brookes was the next Coritanian home in 21st place to take fourth place overall as Leicester finished fourth in the team standing, narrowly missing out on third place overall by just three points.

At Under-13 level, Coritanians followed up their Saucony National Cross Country Champion Silver-medal success the previous weekend at Alton Towers by again taking second place overall, missing out on Gold by only eight points to Royal Sutton Coldfield.

In the individual race, Griffiths stayed with the leaders to seal second place in the last 250 metres for the overall title. Megan Fairbrother was fourth to finish fourth overall.

At Under-11 level, India Mitchell-Jarvis was hampered by a cold but ran bravely for eighth place, just missing the title by a point. Under-17 Louisa Monk, another bottom-age athlete, achieved a best-ever fourth place for fourth overall.
Other Leicester Results:
Girls
Under-11
6 Mari Smith, 33 Rebecca Orton, 61 Sarah Jones, 79 Catherine Jones, 81 Olivia Bramley
Under-13
10 Tilly Abraham, 12 Emily Orton, 16 April Beeby, 21 Rachel Borrows, 35 Livvy Tansey, 53 Bethan Elliott, 66 Rebecca Saunders
Under-15
32 Helena Smith, 33 Catherine Robertson, 45 Jasmine Mellor
Boys
Under-13
13 Johnathan Monk, 17 Xander Tansey

www.birchfieldharriers.net/Results/20080302.doc

Saturday 1st March 2008

THE Leicestershire & Rutland county junior teams for the 2008 Sainsbury’s English National Schools Cross Country meeting that takes place on Saturday 8th March at Liverpool’s Sefton Park have been announced.

The county challenge will be led by three of the successful Leicester Coritanian Under-13 squad with Megan Fairbrother, April Beeby and Tilly Abraham who collected Silver medals at the Saucony National Cross Country Championships at Alton Towers last weekend combining with Amelia Milton, the sister of Great Britain’s Senior international and World cross representative Felicity.

Tom Bell and Tom Mahon, who were in the Leicester Owls Under-20 Men's team that collected Bronze medals, line-up in the Senior Boys squad.
The full Leicestershire & Rutland squads including reserves are listed below:
Junior Girls
Freya Vincent, Emily Sales, Megan Fairbrother, Joni Ashford, April Beeby, Amelia Milton, Tilly Abraham, Georgie Brookes
Reserves
Elizabeth Mellor, Amie Taylor, Imogen Reid, Charlotte Marsh, Ellie Jones, Sarah Dias, Beth Walsh
Intermediate Girls
Megan Booler, Louisa Monk, Amy Danaher, Emma Brown, Natasha Timson, Katya Blackledge, Tania White, Briony Bendle
Reserves
Katie Oakes, Georgia Featherstone, Jessica Edge, Eve Danaher, Lucy Crookes, Lucy Hall
Senior Girls
Zoe Hawkins, Amber-Sian Magee, Rachel Chard, Emily Milodowski, Becky Krych, Sadie French, Johanna Gurney, Lauren Hall
Reserves
Sara Jones, Hannah Godrich, Nan Pu, Alice Ward
Junior Boys
Stefan Ashman, Jacob Kench, James Nutt, Rupert Radley, Jonathan Monk, Joe Tambini, Harry Mullen, Jamie Short
Reserves
Pat Mills, Harry Robinson, Josh McTighe, River Hardy, Joe Pope
Intermediate Boys
George Buttery, John Dossett, Sam Stabler, Liam Phelan, Patrick Radley, Dan Hallam, Lewis Smart, Ashley Chambers
Reserves
Elliott Hart, Dan Calow, Edward Nutt, Sam Densham, Luke Baxter, Steven Maddocks, Michael Vickers, Simon Jones
Senior Boys
Tom Bell, Ben Lacey, Josh Norman, Kristopher Axon, Eddie Glaister, Scott Baxter, Tom Mahon, Andy Lomas
Reserves
Josh Dixon, James Paramore, Matt Kimpton, Alex Blaza, Michael Brind

www.esaa.net/

Tuesday 26th February 2008

COULD you be the next Paula Radcliffe or Phillips Idowu then why not come along to a Norwich Union sponsored star:track Scheme that is being staged at Leicester’s Saffron Lane Sports Centre from 31st March - 4th April.

The Norwich Union star:track provides a year round opportunity for children aged 8 to 15 to develop and hone their skills within structured and exciting coaching programmes.

Many schemes run the Norwich Union shine:awards, which enable children to gain their first taste of athletics and measure their success through the achievement of a range of dynamic awards.

The concept of 'star:track’ emerged in the spring of 1992 in order to harvest the interest generated by the major athletic championships each year. The ‘star:track’ programme was a fun introduction to athletics for 8 to 13 year olds. The scheme’s first year saw 8000 children take part in ‘star:track’ across a total of 78 venues.

Now almost fifteen years later, UK Athletics, in partnership with Norwich Union have developed Norwich Union star:track into a year round athletics experience for all children between the age of 8 and 15 regardless of ability, gender or background.

Last year, Norwich Union star:track was the most successful star:track activity since the concept began, with 25,000 children taking part at over 500 venues across the UK.

Norwich Union star:track is now delivered by not only local authority organisers but by athletic clubs, schools and other athletics development partners.

The star:track scheme at Saffron Lane will take place between 10.00am-1.00pm with a 9.30am start on the Monday for registration.

Candidates are encouraged to come along to help out with the star:track scheme and gain coaching and leadership experience.

This is an opportunity to experience athletics under the supervision of qualified UK Athletics coaches including Pole Vaulting from England Athletics coach Alan Richardson.

For more information contact Leicestershire Athletics Development Officer Kerry Garland on 0781 4623592 or to request an application form/bookings contact the Saffron Lane Track on 0116 2833275

Tuesday 12th February 2008

UNDER bright blue skies as the sun shone throughout the day the Ivanhoe Robins Junior Athletics Club from Leicestershire hosted their 10th Annual Ivanhoe Challenge this weekend in the beautiful surroundings of the Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire on Sunday 10th February.

The event which is rapidly becoming one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated junior events in the area attracted the largest field ever with over 250 young runners turning out to compete.

The athletes were encouraged and inspired by the presence of Great Britain’s Olympic Silver medallist Mark Richardson (courtesy of Sporting Champions) who led the warm ups and presented the prizes.

The club would also like to thank their sponsors Aldi, Sporting Champions and Mark Richardson, Severn Trent Water, Trent labels, NWLDC and The Ivanhoe Runners.

Ivanhoe Robins celebrated two individual medals and three team prizes. Hannah Cox took the Gold in a very competitive Year 5-6 Girls race and was followed by team mate Georgia Gartside who took the Silver medal. Harriet Roberts completed the race in 16th place allowing the three girls to take Silver team prize.

The Robins Year 7-8 Girls won the team Gold, led in by Megan Lewis (8th), supported by Rachel Ward (13th) and Ellise Williamson (14th).

Ivanhoe Robins Douglas Stark ran well to finish 6th in the gruelling 2 mile race for Year 9-10 Boys. Stark was supported by Stephen Watson in 8th and James Collington in 11th place to claim the team prize.
Young 'Striders' up for the Challenge

Ten members of the Loughborough based Beacon Hill Striders Training Group recorded individual or team medal winning performances.

Beacon Hill Striders made an early impact in the third race on a 12 race programme with medal winning performances in the Year 3 and 4 Boys Race. In the 38 strong field Ben Dijkstra forced the pace from the start resulting in a group of three runners soon establishing a sizeable lead over the opposition. Ben, the Leicestershire Primary Schools’ Year 4 League champion made sure of victory with a scintillating burst over the final 200 metres.

Ben was followed home by team mate Alfie Thompson to record a stunning one-two finish for the “Striders”.

In the equivalent Girls race, Gabriel Rawlinson raced strongly to take Silver on her debut for the team, with Alika Dijkstra running well in support to finish 7th of the 35 competitors.

In the Year 5 and 6 Boys race, Joey Higham, a recent addition to the group, ran prominently for much of the way. Joey’s 14th place finish in a 33 strong field was highly encouraging in a race dominated by the Year 6 runners.

In the 27 strong Year 9 and Above combined race members of the Beacon Hill Striders training group, running in the colours of their first-claim clubs, were well to the fore. In the Boys race James Paramore (Charnwood AC) finished second, hotly pursued by Simon Jones (Charnwood AC) fourth, Stephen Maddocks (Leicester Coritanian AC) fifth, and Alex Kavanagh (Charnwood AC) sixth.

In the Girls race Ellie Jones (Charnwood AC) dominated proceedings to record the “Striders” second individual success of the day.

Further success followed in the penultimate race of the day, the Year 7 and 8 Boys race. Andrew Halliwell competed strongly to take third place in a field of 22 competitors. Backed by William Rawlinson (8th) and Phillip Maddocks (10th), the trio combined to take team Silver behind a strong squad from Tamworth Athletic Club.
Leading Results:
Year 1-2 Boys
1 Chadley Timson (Nuneaton Harriers), 2 Chris Nealon (Wreake Runners), 3 Sam Featherston (Nuneaton Harriers)
Teams:
1 Nuneaton Harriers (Timson, Featherston, Casey Wilson), 2 Donisthorpe School (Luke Christian,Thomas Hart, Harry Jaques)
Year 1-2 Girls
1 Isobel Armstrong (Woodstone Primary), 2 Emily Dixon (Donisthorpe Primary), 3 Amy Markham (Dunton Basset)
Teams:
1 Hill Top Primary (Sian Ganobcsik Williams, Rachel Greenhouse, Stephanie Addison)
Year 3-4 Boys
1 Ben Dijkstra (Beacon Hill Striders), 2 Alfie Thompson (Beacon Hill Striders, 3 Fraser Dalby (Northamptonshire Grammer)
Teams:
1 Donisthorpe Primary (Samuel Stewart, Matthew Wood, Tom Orpin), 2 Donisthorpe Primary (Aaron Hunter, Jack Jaques, Christopher Dixon)
Year 3-4 Girls
1 Elizabeth Mulvaney (Hollywell Primary), 2 Gabriel Rawlinson (Beacon Hill Striders), 3 Saskia Sharpe (Charnwood AC)
Teams:
1 Donisthorpe Primary (Elise Hall-Dryden, Rowen Dales, Olivia Basford), 2 Charnwood AC (Saskia Sharpe, Kiera Wardle, Abi Parfitt)
Year 5-6 Boys
1 James Hatton (Wreake Runners), 2 Roberts Stroud (Tamworth AC), 3 Patrick Thomas (Tamworth AC)
Teams:
1 Tamworth AC (Stroud, Thomas, Ellis Cross), 2 Nuneaton Harriers (Gregory Jones, Jordan Cobby, Robert Jones)
Year 5-6 Girls
1 Hannah Cox (Ivanhoe Robins), 2 Georgia Gartside (Ivanhoe Robins), 3 India Mitchell-Jarvis (Leicester Coritainians)
Teams:
1 Leicester Coritanians (Mitchell-Jarvis, Hannah Perry, Rebecca Orton), 2 Ivanhoe Robins (Cox, Gartside, Harriet Roberts)
Year 7-8 Boys
1 Kristian Edwards (Tamworth AC), 2 Sam Sadler (John Port School), 3 Andrew Haliiwell (Beacon Hill Striders)
Teams:
1 Tamworth AC (Edwards, Ben Wright, Aiden Blythe), 2 Beacon Hill Striders (Halliwell, William Rawlinson, Phillip Maddocks)
Year 7-8 Girls
1 Emily Sales (Nuneaton Harriers), 2 Emily Orton (Leicester Coritanians, 3 Annie Leatham (Leamington C&AC)
Teams:
1 Ivanhoe Robins (Megan Lewis, Rachel Ward, Ellise Williamson)
Year 9-10 Boys
1.Jack Walpen, (Guilsborough School), 2 Aleander Kavanagh (Charnwood AC), 3 Daniel Thompson (Kettering Town Harriers)
Teams:
1 Ivanhoe Robins (Douglas Stark, Stephen Watson, James Collington)
Year 9-10 Girls
1. Eleanor Jones (Charnwood AC), 2 Natasha Timson (Nuneaton Harriers), 3 Kayleigh White (Nuneaton Harriers)
Teams:
1 Nuneaton Harriers (Timson, White, Georgia Featherston), 2 Nuneaton Harriers 'B' (Tania White, Maria Fielder, Clare Belcher)
Year 11 and over Boys
1 Scott Risher (Notts AC), 2 James Paramore (Charnwood AC), 3 Simon Jones (Charnwood AC)
Year 11 and over Girls
1 Amy Williams (Tamworth AC), 2 Amanda Hobday (Nuneaton Harriers), 3 Charlotte Hayden

Special thanks to Ivan Arkinstall of Ivanhoe Robins and Alan Maddocks of the Beacon Hill Striders for supplying the information and photograph.

Above photo - Beacon Hill Striders: Team Silver: Year 7 & 8 Boys Race
(Left: William Rawlinson, Centre: Andrew Halliwell, Right: Phillip Maddocks)

Sainsbury’s ESAA Inter-Counties Cross Country Match

Shepshed High School, Leicestershire

Saturday 2nd February 2008

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND Under-15 cross-country champion Freya Vincent representing Bushloe combined with Ratcliffe College's Sam Stabler both produced stellar winning performances to lead the team challenge against Cheshire and Shropshire at Shepshed High School in the Sainsbury’s ESAA Inter-Counties match.
Leading Results:
Year 7 Boys
1 Matthew Hulse (Cheshire) 8.30, Leics: 2 Xander Tansey 8.34, 9 Lloyd Stock 8.50, 11 Jack Warren-Ballard 8.53, 12 Samuel Moore 8.55, 16 Jacob Barker 8.56, 18 William Rawlingson 9.00, 19 Charlie Stevenson 9.00, 24 George Borthwick, 25 Phillip Maddocks, 26 Oliver Pritchett, 27 James Tambini, 28 Tristan Abrahams, 29 Oliver Grasse, 33 Oliver Maynard
Teams:
1 Cheshire 38pts, 2 Shropshire 65, 3 Leicestershire & Rutland 68
Junior Boys
1 Liam Renton (Cheshire) 15.22, Leics: 2 Jacob Kench 15.39, 4 Stefan Ashman 15.56, 8 Jack Hall 16.09, 14 Jonathan Monk 16.40, 18 Charlie Coleman 17.05, 20 Josh Mutight 17.10, 21 Joseph Tambini 17.11, 22 Jamie Short 17.13, 24 River Hardy 17.21, 25 Jasvidmer Dhadi 17.24, 28 Patrick Mills 17.45, 29 Joseph Pope 17.53, 30 Andrew Halliwell 18.17, 32 Matthew Noon 18.54
Teams:
1 Cheshire 31pts, 2 Leicestershire & Rutland 66, 3 Shropshire 102
Intermediate Boys
1 Sam Stabler (Leics) 16.57, Other Leics: 3 Danny Hallam 17.27, 5 Ashley Chambers 17.39, 6 Liam Phelan 17.44, 8 John Dosset 17.47, 14 Sam Densham 18.15, 18 Patrick Radley 18.31, 19 Elliot Hart 18.32, 22 Dan Callow 18.44, 27 Joe Wales 19.07, 29 Michael Vickers 19.17, 30 Callum Wainwright 19.41, 31 Simon Jones 20.15
Teams:
1 Leicestershire & Rutland 37pts, 2 Cheshire 47, 3 Shropshire 103
Senior Boys
1 Daniel Cliffe (Cheshire) 21.09, Leics: 5 Johnny Pegg 22.44, 11 Scott Baxter 23.17, 18 Andy Lomers 23.59, 25 Michael Brid, 28 James Paramore
Teams:
1 Cheshire 24pts, 3 Shropshire 84, Leicestershire & Rutland (non-counting)
Year 7 Girls
1 Catlin Hayes (Cheshire) 8.57, Leics: 3 Rachel Borrows 9.11, 4 Chloe Tivin 9.15, 8 Jasmine Southam 9.36, 12 Holly Palmer 9.41, 17 Livvy Tansey 9.49, 21 Ellen McMeakinge 10.05, 24 Isabelle Smith 10.16, 25 Rebecca Saunders 10.21, 26 Lauren Sampson 10.23, 27 Caitlan Hayden 10.28, 28 Chloe Munne 10.31
Teams:
1 Cheshire 39pts, 2 Leicestershire & Rutland 65, 3 Shropshire 73
Junior Girls
1 Freya Vincent (Leics) 10.24, Other Leics: 6 Tilly Abraham 10.39, 7 Amelia Milton 10.41, 8 Megan Fairbrother 10.42, 9 Joni Ashford 10.43, 10 Georgie Brookes 10.48, 12 April Beeby 10.52, 13 Somerby Hamdorrf 10.55, 14 Amie Taylor 10.57, 15 Sarah Dias 11.00, 20 Imogen Reid 11.19, 21 Helena Smith 11.21, 26 Eleanor Jones 11.32, 31 Isobelle Perry 11.48, 33 Beth Welsh 11.51
Teams:
1 Leicestershire & Rutland 41pts, 2 Cheshire 83, 3 Shropshire 85
Intermediate Girls
1 Rebecca Crainie (Cheshire) 16.08, Leics: 9 Amy Danaher 18.29, 13 Katya Blackledge 18.46, 16 Natasha Timson 19.13, 18 Emma Brown 19.31, 21 Tania White 20.04, 22 Katie Oakes 20.14, 25 Eve Danaher 20.47, 26 Jessica Edge 21.08
Teams:
1 Cheshire 21pts, 2 Shropshire 96, 3 Leicestershire & Rutland 99
Senior Girls
1 Amy Talbot (Cheshire) 17.09, Leics: 2 Amber-Sian Magee 17.23, 7 Becky Krych 18.41, 9 Sadie French 19.17, 10 Emily Milodowski 19.25, 11 Rachel Chard 19.47, 21 Sarah Jones 20.39, 23 Hannah Godrich 22.13
Teams:
1 Cheshire 35pts, 2 Leicestershire & Rutland 60, 3 Shropshire 81

Saturday 26th January 2008

DAME KELLY HOLMES kicked off a series of follow-up visits to schools this week with a trip to see girls as part of the Norwich Union GirlsActive scheme.

The double Olympic Athens Gold medallist instructed pupils from Leicester's secondary schools at a day-long session at St Paul's Catholic School, in Evington.

Holmes selected St Paul's, which is part of the sports partnership based at Crown Hills Community College, after she was impressed by its plans to encourage more girls to be involved in PE.

Holmes is visiting five School Sport Partnerships across the country to see for herself their plans to engage more girls aged 13 -16 in PE and sport. Girls from schools within the five winning Partnerships attended one of a series of five student/teacher roadshows for over 100 SSPs held towards the end of 2007, which investigated the barriers preventing girls getting active.

The girls and their teachers, were tasked by Kelly to put together action plans detailing changes they would like to implement in their schools as a result of the roadshow to get more girls doing more sport. The action plans that impressed Kelly the most were then selected to receive one of this week’s visits.

Norwich Union GirlsActive, run by the Youth Sport Trust, was set up in response to research indicating that girls are less active than boys and are more likely to drop out of sport at an early age. Whereas levels of boys’ participation in sport remain steady throughout secondary school, girls are five times more likely to do no sport at 16 than at aged 12.

Holmes said: “It is a concern that research continuously shows that girls are more likely to drop out of sport than boys. I believe it is vital that School Sport Partnerships keep working with their pupils to develop strategies for getting more girls to participate in sport, both inside and outside of school hours, and deliver sporting activity that is designed specifically for girls to keep them interested. We know more young people are taking part in more sport, but now is the time to up the ante, particularly in the run up to London 2012, so that sport and an active lifestyle become an integral part of the lives of all our young people.”

The Norwich Union GirlsActive visits are also taking place in Leyton (London), Hampshire, Durham, and Plymouth. The five winning partnerships are the: Norlington School Sport Partnership; Toynbee SSP in Eastleigh, Sedgefield School Sport Partnership in Durham; Crown Hills School Sport Partnership in Leicester and Plymstock School Sport Partnership in Plymouth.

www.doublegold.co.uk/

Thursday 17th January 2008

THE fifth and final round of the 2007/08 Leicestershire Secondary Schools Cross-Country League was held at Shepshed High School on Saturday 12th January, the overall final individual and team results are available on the following link:

www.beaconhillstriders.co.uk/index.php?section=17

Results courtesy of Beacon Hill Striders and the Leicestershire Secondary Schools Cross-Country League: www.beaconhillstriders.co.uk/

Derby Winter Mid-Week Training 5km

Horizon's Health & Fitness Club, Raynesway, Derby

Wednesday 19th December 2007

MEMBERS of the Beacon Hill Striders Training Group capped a highly successful Autumn campaign by featuring prominently in the 1 mile event at the monthly Derby Midweek Training Races on Wednesday, December 19th.

In a 42 strong field, the group was led in by the first Junior (Under-16) finisher, Simon Jones in 5 minutes 12 seconds, the fastest Junior time so far recorded in the current monthly series. Simon was closely followed by Stephen Maddocks, the second Junior finisher in 5 minutes 26 seconds, with Richard Maddocks recording a solid 5 minutes 32 seconds on his return from injury.

The remaining members of the group set a series of personal best performances for the 1 Mile distance with 12-year old Andrew Halliwell (pictured left), (5-41), 13-year old Ellie Jones (5-49), and 11-year olds William Rawlinson (5-53) and Phillip Maddocks (5-54) all dipping under their 6 minute target. Last but not least 13-year old George Rhodes took a massive 15 seconds off his previous personal best in recording 6 minutes 24 seconds.

Members of the Beacon Hill Striders Training Group have performed with distinction throughout the Autumn cross-country period with a number laying strong claims for selection for the Leicestershire Secondary Schools’ team for the Inter-Counties Schools fixture in February and the English Schools’ Championship in March.
Outstanding performances have been recorded by Zoe Hawkins (Senior Girls) and Ben Dijkstra (Year 4 Boys) who have remained undefeated to claim their respective Schools’ League titles.

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

The Beacon Hill Striders Training Group train at a number of venues in and around Loughborough under the guidance of former Leicestershire and North Midlands Senior cross-country champion, Alan Maddocks. Training takes place each week on Wednesday evenings, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

For further information please view the Group website at: www.beaconhillstriders.co.uk/ or e-mail the Group co-ordinator Alan Maddocks A.P.Maddocks@lboro.ac.uk

In the Senior races Blue Haywood representing Lincoln Wellington AC is claiming a UK Under-18 Women’s 5km road best after winning with a time of 16 minutes 24 seconds.

Her time is six seconds faster than the previous best, recorded by former GB Junior cross country and mountain running international Karrie Hawitt (Warrington AC) at Oswestry in 2003.

Others at the top of the age group all-time rankings are Charlotte Dale (Invicta East Kent), who clocked 16:38 in London’s Hyde Park in 2001 on her way to winning the European Junior Cross Country title, and Charlotte Moore (Bournemouth AC), who also clocked 16:38 at Boscombe in December 2002, a few months after reaching the Commonwealth Games 2002 final.

Leicestershire County Marathon champion Mark Couldwell clocked a lifetime-best of 15:32 to claim fourth place in the Men’s 5km which was won by Derby's Richard Weir in a new course record of 14:37.

Long-time leader in the Men’s 1 Mile race, Hermitage Harrier Paul Gregory, was edged out over the line clocking 4:54 as Holme Pierrepont's Graham Moffatt won in 4:53.

Friday 21st December 2007

THE fourth round of the 2007/08 Leicestershire Secondary Schools Cross-Country League was held at the Melton Country Park on Saturday 8th December, the full results are available on the results page.

www.athletics-leics.com/results.html

The final league race on will take place at Shepshed High School on Saturday 12th January.
The 2008 Leicestershire County Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships takes place the following Saturday, January 19th, at the Ratcliffe College, Syston.

Saturday 15th December 2007

THOUSANDS of sporting stars across Britain are striving to compete at the London Olympics in 2012.
It will be a long and emotional journey, and the new BBC TV series Olympic Dreams will be following some of the hopefuls.

Great Britain’s Heptathlete Jessica Ennis is to feature in the series, which will follow the fortunes of Britain's rising stars for London 2012 over the next five years.

Ennis, (21) won Commonwealth Bronze in her first major championships last year in Melbourne, Australia, and she has already qualified for the Beijing Olympics.

Having recently graduated in Psychology, the Sheffield-born athlete can now focus on knocking her heroine Carolina Kluft off the top of the podium.

Other athletes to be profiled are at the top of their game, like the Team GB Men's rowing four, or Paralympic rider Lee Pearson.

Others, like diver Tom Daley, and gymnasts Venus Romaeo, Lizzie Beddoe and Jessica Hogg, have made giant strides at an early age.

You can follow their progress in the Olympic Dreams series that runs from Monday 17th – Friday 21st December on BBC TWO at 2.00pm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/7025652.stm

Leicestershire Primary Schools Cross Country League – Race No.3

Western Park, Leicester

Saturday 1st December 2007

A RECORD December turnout for the final event of Leicestershire Primary Schools Athletics Association’s 2007 cross-country league strengthened its status as the leading event of its kind in the Country.

The 1,728 finishers meant that almost 5,500 young athletes had competed during the 3 race series. This was the league’s best aggregate total since it moved to a 3-race format in 1999. The average of 1,820 running at each meeting (with 45% of these being girls) was the best in the league’s 31-year history. Recent league starlets, Amy Griffiths, Livvy Tansey, Bethan Elliott and Becky Saunders, presented medals and trophies to a stream of happy individual medallists and team champions at the end of the morning.

In the Year 3 category Grace Scott (St John the Baptist) held off Annie McAllister (Claybrook) to keep her unbeaten record and take her first league title. In a record breaking field of 318 boys, Simranjit Thandi (Martinshaw) finished ahead of Joseph Callery (The Hall) and Andrew Forbes (Ridgeway). However Andrew’s two previous victories ensured he took home the Year 3 boy’s top trophy.

Elizabeth Mulvaney (Year 4 - Holywell) suffered her first reverse in 6 races when Lucy Jones (Holywell) edged her out but Elizabeth remained a clear winner of her league.

Ben Dijkstra (Y4 - Burton on the Wolds) and Hannah Cox (Year 5 – Mercenfeld) continue to dominate their leagues and took their second and third titles respectively.

Year 5 Sam Elliott (Burbage) made it a hat trick of league wins for the season and received his first outright league championship leader award.

Sam Mabey (Year 6 - Gilmorton Chandler) beat James Hatton (Church Hill Junior) for the first time this season but finished an agonising point short of James’ score in the individual league standings. India Mitchell (Burbage) also completed an unbeaten season but was made to work hard by the girls from Manor High.

Hannah Perry has only finished out of the Top 5 once in her 12 league appearances and completed her league “career” by leading her Manor High School team-mates to the most emphatic team victory ever recorded.

Claybrook and St. Nicholas in Cottesmore registered their first ever team successes as the 14 team trophies were shared out across Leicestershire and Rutland. Dunton Bassett (Year 5 Girls – small schools), Rothley (Year 6 Boys medium schools) and Manor were the only schools to retain the trophies they won last year.

To complete an amazing season the Joey Masterson Challenge Trophy for best overall team, based on the aggregate score of all Year 5 and 6 results, furnished the league with its closest ever result as Leicester Grammar squeezed past last year’s winners, Burbage Junior, by just 3 points!
Leading Results:
Year 3 Girls - 230 finishers
1 Grace Scott (St John the Baptist); 2 Annie McAllister (Claybrook); 3 Sophie Domingo (St. Cuthberts)
Year 3 Boys - 318 finishers
1 Simranjit Thandi (Martinshaw); 2 Joseph Callery (The Hall); 3 Andrew Forbes (Ridgeway)
Year 4 Girls - 203 finishers
1 Lucy Jones (Holywell); 2 Elizabeth Mulvaney (Holywell); 3 Bronya Bird (Greenfield)
Year 4 Boys - 269 finishers
1 Ben Dijkstra (Burton on the Wolds); 2 Alfie Thomson (Seagrave); 3 Reece Thomas (Beaumont Lodge)
Year 5 Girls - 183 finishers
1 Hannah Cox (Mercenfeld); 2 Eleanor Long (Claybrook); 3 Harriet Roberts (Griffydam)
Year 5 Boys - 218 finishers
1 Sam Elliott (Burbage); 2 Joshua Knight (Fleckney); 3 Harvey Barnes (Greenfield)
Year 6 Girls - 144 finishers
1 India Mitchell (Burbage); 2 Hannah Perry (Manor High); 3 Georgia Bevins (Manor High)
Year 6 Boys – 163 finishers
1 Sam Mabey (Gilmorton); 2 James Hatton (Church Hill Junior); 3 Fraser Marshall (St. Nicholas)
Overall Individual Leagues
Year 3 Girls
1 Grace Scott (St. John the Baptist) – 3 points; 2 Annie McAllister (Claybrook) – 7 points; 3 Sophie Domingo (St Cuthberts) – 11 points; 4 Karis Arlott (Queniborough) – 14 points; 5 Jessica Claxton (Red Hill Field) – 22 points
Year 3 Boys
1 Andrew Forbes (Ridgeway) – 5 points; 2 Simranjit Thandi (Martinshaw) – 7 points; 3 Marcus Rowland (Brownlow) – 10 points; 4 Edward Coles (Leicester Grammar) – 23 points; = Oliver Slingsby (Oxley) – 23 points
Year 4 Girls
1 Elizabeth Mulvaney (Holywell) – 4 points; 2 Lucy Jones (Martinshaw) – 7 points; 3 Rachel Fisher (Claybrook) – 10 points; 4 Bronya Bird (Greenfield) – 20 points; 5 Elise Tear (Kibworth) – 29 points
Year 4 Boys
1 Ben Dijkstra (Burton on the Wolds) – 3 points; 2 Bryn Williams (Church Langton) – 12 points; 3 Daniel Cole (Gilmorton) – 19 points; 4 Alfie Thompson (Seagrave) – 25 points; 5 Jack Anderson (Brownlow) – 27 points
Year 5 Girls
1 Hannah Cox (Mercenfeld) – 3 points; 2 Eleanor Long (Claybrook) – 7 points; 3 Rosie Stone (Mountfields Lodge) – 11 points; = Harriet Roberts (Griffydam) – 13 points; 5 Ella Merrikin (Badgerbrook) – 18 points
Year 5 Boys
1 Sam Elliott (Burbage) – 3 points; 2 Harvey Barnes (Greenfield) – 9 points; 3 Sam Edwards (Ridgeway) – 10 points; 4 William Voss (Fleckney) – 19 points; 5 Joshua Knight (Fleckney) – 25 points
Year 6 Girls
1 India Mitchell Jarvis (Burbage) – 3 points; 2 Georgia Bevins (Woodland Grange) – 7 points; 3 Hannah Perry (Woodland Grange) – 11 points; 4 Holly Bevins (Manor HS) – 13 points; 5 Rebecca Southwell (Wymeswold) – 19 points
Year 6 Boys
1 James Hatton (Church Hill) – 4 points; 2 Sam Mabey (Gilmorton Chandler) – 5 points; 3 Joseph Randon (St Margarets) – 17 points; 4 Ryan Lee (Bushloe HS) – 25 points; 5 Callum Crellin (St Nicholas) – 28 points
Overall Team Champions
Year 5 Girls
small - Claybrook, medium - Ridgeway, large – Greenfield
Year 5 Boys
small – Burton-on-the-Wolds, medium – Leicester Grammar, large – Fleckney
Year 6 Girls
small – Dunton Bassett, medium – John Wycliffe, large – Burbage Junior, high – Manor
Year 6 Boys
small – St Nicholas, medium – Rothley, large – Brownlow, high – Bushloe
Joey Masterson Overall Team Trophy
1 Leicester Grammar – 2,039 points, 2 Burbage County Junior – 2,042 points, 3 Shepshed High School – 2, 272 points

2007 Sainsbury’s ESAA Schools Cross-Country Cup Final

St Columba’s College, St Albans

Saturday 1st December 2007

AS British Under-23 international Felicity Milton prepares to represent Team GB at the forthcoming SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Toro, Spain, younger sister Amelia was equally busy leading Oakham Junior Girls into the Silver-medal position at the 2007 Sainsburys English Schools Cross-Country Cup final held at the St Columba’s College in St Albans.

Milton finished sixth, just 12 seconds behind winner Susan Shiel Rankin of Guildford High School, combined with Oakham's next three counters, Somerby Hamdorff, India Hill and Rosie Manby, who were 30th, 32nd and 36th respectively. Oakham finished on 104 points, 23 behind Guildford, however they were 24 clear of Bronze medallists Beaumont.

Loughborough High School finished with two in the top 10 - fifth-placed Tilly Abraham, who edged Milton by five seconds, and Joni Ashford, who was ninth. However, they were unable to add further high places in the 139-strong field and had to settle for 12th place overall in the team standings.

Oakham's Intermediate Girls, with solid runs from Georgie Brookes (22nd) and Sarah Dias (25th), finished 19th, whilst, Shepshed High's Junior Boys were 24th.
Leading Results:
Junior Girls
1 Susan Shiel Rankin (Guildford High) 8.30. Oakham: 6 Amelia Milton 8.42, 30 Somerby Hamdorff 9.11, 32 India Hill, 36 Rosie Manby, 71 Holly Palmer 9.36, 136 Hannah McCombe 10.48. Loughborough High: 5 Tilly Abraham 8.37, 9 Joni Ashford 8.46, 65 Zoe DeRijk, 120 Sarah Wilkinson, 131 Isobelle Smith 10.40, 138 Rachel Grewcock 11.01
Team:
1 Guildford High 81pts, 2 Oakham 104, 3 Beaumont 128, 12 Loughborough High 199
Intermediate Girls
1 Annabel Gummow (Penair) 9.13. Oakham: 22 Georgie Brookes 10.07, 25 Sarah Dias 10.14, 81 Pip Nicholas, 136 Isobel Neill-Smith
Team:
1 St John Fisher 72pts, 2 Tonbridge Grammar 91, 3 Cooper's Coborn 100, 19 Oakham 264
Junior Boys
1 Fergus Roberts (Allertonshire) 8.28. Shepshed High: 76 River Hardy, 89 Lloyd Tapper 10.01, 95 Luke Dugmore 10.06, 103 Ryan Thacker,112 Lloyd Stock, 128 Charlie Stevenson
Team:
1 Lincroft Middle 57pts, 2 West Hill 108, 3 Millfield Prep 115, 24 Shepshed High 363

www.esaa.net

Above photo - Oakham school's Silver medal winning team.

West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League 2007/08

Sandwell, West Bromich

Sunday 2nd December 2007

LEICESTER CORITANIAN young guns underlined their strength in the latest round of the West Midlands Cross-Country League producing a collection of fine individual and team performances at Sandwell Valley in West Bromwich.

Georgie Brookes and Freya Vincent took the Under-15 girls race by the scruff of the neck and made their mark by finishing strongly in first and second. The duo were in the lead group after the first lap and worked well together to destroy the field. There were outstanding performances by Sara Dias (9), Catherine Robertson (14) and Helena Smith (38) to move the team up from 6th place to 3rd place overall.

They are now only 6 points behind Halesowen who are in second place overall with 2566. Freya's second place means that she continues to lead the overall individual competition but she now has a 6 point margin and there are only 2 races to go.

Louisa Monk had her best finish in the Under-17 girls race, where she completed the challenging course in 5th place. This leaves her now as the 6th place athlete in this age group overall.

The Under-13 girls team had 4 finishers in the top 10. Amy Griffiths (2), Megan Fairbrother (5), Tilly Abraham (6) and April Beeby (10). The team also consisted of Rachel Borrows (36), Livvy Tansey (44), Bethan Elliott (53) and Rebecca Saunders (67).

Leicester Coritanians team are in 2nd place overall but individually, Amy is leading the league overall and Megan is in 4th place overall.

India Mitchell-Jarvis, who won her primary schools race the previous day, went into the Under-11 girls race looking strong. She ran a strong second half of the race to win in the last 100m. She is now leading the individual standings in this age group by 5 points. Rebecca Orton had her best West Midlands race of the season so far, finishing in 29th place.

Luke Beeby (Under-11 boys) had a good opening run in his first West Midlands League race. After suffering an injury in the early part of his season, he finished a creditable 41st place.

Xander Tansey (Under-13 boys) is continuing on from his fine secondary schools performances and finished in 33rd place.

Liam Phelan (Under-17 boys) had the worst of the weather conditions to contend with. The heavens opened during his race, making the conditions the most difficult of the day. Liam battled the rain, wind and by now the muddiest conditions of the day to finish in style with 14th place.