Derby Runner XC League 2014/15

Great team start in Derby Runner XC League
Dampness in the air, wet underfoot, cool misty morning, these typical conditions heralded the first race in the Derby Runner 2014/15 Cross Country League at Markfield. 30 runners from the Club, 8 women & 22 men, lined up on the start line with the big field necessitating split starts, with the men starting 10 minutes before the women. While not flat the approximately 5.5 mile course is probably one of the least severe courses in the series. Dominic Sharman & Chris Pearson, who seem to revel in the mud & uneven terrain, led the way home for the Club in the men’s race with superb finishing positions of 29^th & 36^th in a really competitive field. Andy Hawtin & James Cassidy then had a really close battle with Andy’s 50^th place just edging it on this occasion by one place. Chappers Jnr ran strongly for 68^th place with a resurgent Gerry O’Brien close behind in 71^st place. Chappers Snr. was next across the line in 110^th with the steadily improving Chris Gunstone completing a really strong men’s team performance in 124^th out of 379 men finishers.
Chris Mason was next in 131^st place with the redoubtable Andy Orme giving everything in 155^th & Club stalwart Steve Leafe next in 181^st. After commiting to triathlon over the summer months Simon Reynolds got back down to improving his running conditioning with a solid 219^th place just a couple of places ahead of the fast finishing Adrian Middleton in 221^st. The evergreen Steve Fowler was the next yellow vest to cross the finishing line in 259^th with cross country debutant Chris Hughes five places back in 265^th and another who always gives 100% effort, Ray Udall, in 274^th. The experienced Malcolm Moore was next in 284^th with Ray Mortlock, easing his way back after an injury break, just one place back in 285^th. Paul Glover, another cross country debutant, and Dave Renshaw, both ran well to record finishing positions of 312^th & 321^st respectively. Also getting his first taste of cross country action, Richard Ward ran valiantly for his 348^th place as did Chris Morton, who completed the men’s finishers in 372^nd.
Christina Cooper, one of the most improved runners in the area, led the women’s team home with a superb 12^th place finish with Tracey Glover & Sam Skidmore providing excellent support in 47^th & 86^th places. Lisa Wright completed the women’s team scorers with a hard earned 95^th place finish. Heidi Elliott was next in 151^st with Linda Mason, Inge Moore & Cath Johnson giving their all in 201^st, 202^nd & 205^th places respectively.
Very early days but the day’s performances were good enough to put the Club top of Div 2 in the team league & the men top of the same division. Take each race as it comes etc etc. It would be really remiss not to include in the report a really big thanks to everyone involved in providing the post race tea, coffee & cakes plus the excellent selection of photos that adorn the SDRR Facebook page. It’s really appreciated.