Derby Runner XC Series 2016 – Grace Dieu

Dom at the sharp end!!
The challenging course at Grace Dieu was the location for the latest leg of the Derby Runner Cross Country League & reigning Club Champion, Dominic Sharman, showed how comfortable he is at the sharp end of the field as he led the Club’s contingent home in a superb 12^th place. 
In cold, wet &, in places, windy conditions Chris Pearson continued his consistent series as he finished in 23^rd place to keep alive his chances of a top three series finish in the MV40 category. Men’s Club Captain, Andy Hawtin, ran well for 45^th place before Simon Reynolds, who is in terrific form at present, scored valuable team points as he finished in 76^th. The season long inter-club rivalry between Mark Harriott & Andy Windle continued with the former edging it in 82^nd place to Andy’s 83^rd. Andy Orme was his usual consistent self as he finished in 104^th ahead of the long striding Colin Mee in 112^th & cross country stalwart, Adrian Middleton in 114^th. The improving Nigel Atkins was next in 132^nd before Tom Eyre & James Cobb gave everything in finishing in 180^th & 190^th places respectively. Malcolm Moore, who continues to benefit from a good spell of injury free running, ran well for 196^th before Paul Glover & Stuart Reeves crossed the line in fairly close order in 222^nd & 228^th places. Gary Price battled hard for his 239^th place before David Lunn, making his cross country debut in the toughest of circumstances, finished in a very respectable 273^rd.
The only slightly disappointing factor, and something that hasn’t often happened in a really committed season, is that the Club had insufficient runners to make a team in the women’s race. Having said that Tracey Glover & Lisa Wright deserve the highest praise as they gave everything to finish in 38^th & 66^th places respectively in fairly atrocious conditions.