It was another mud fest for the seventeen runners from the Club who took part on Sunday in the latest leg of the Derby Runner Cross Country League, over a new course at Mallory Park. Leading the way was Andy Hawtin, who recorded an excellent 35th place finish, over what he recognises is not his favourite racing surface. Next, in 91st, was one of the Club’s most consistent runners on all surfaces, Mark Harriot, who just got the better of Chris Hanman, who justifiably laid claim to the ‘performance of the day’ as he collected the 93rd place finishing token. Rom Chambard ran strongly for 102nd place with the rest of the team scorers, Andy Orme in 131st, Matt Long in 151st, Ian Archer in 179th and Ross Ballinger in 195th spread out down the field. Chris Elsegood ran strongly for 212th with Joe Baldwin and Mitch Timms in fairly close order in 237th and 245th finishing places. Robin Thorne in 265th, Mark Nixon in 275th and David Walters in 298th completed the Club’s finishers in the men’s race.
The improving Katie Dennis led the Club’s women home, in what was a very competitive race, with a superb 21st place finish. Women’s Club Captain, Lisa Wright ran strongly for 34th with Nikki Reeves in 54th and Becky Lenaghan in a well-run 109th completing the women’s team finishers. Emma Sharp, a day after reaching the milestone of 250 parkruns, finished in 150th with Anna Casey collecting the 167th place token after another committed run. Julianne Walters chose one of the longest and muddiest cross country courses to make her debut at the discipline and deserves great credit for passing the test with flying colours as she finished in 172nd place.
Four of the Club’s runners were on a slightly firmer surface as they tackled the annual Sneyd Christmas Pudding 10 miler. Over a relatively flat course but in gusty conditions Chris Mason was first back in 71:55, a performance that was good enough to secure the MV65 prize and a 49th place finish. Also amongst the prizes was Tracey Glover, whose well deserved distance PB of 75:18, secured the WV45 prize and a 71st place finish. Steve Leafe battled well for his 75:47 with the hard running Gary Price completing the quartet with a highly creditable 82:51. Lastly, James Farmer, a first year student at Aberystwyth proved he is making the most of university by setting a superb PB at the Aber 10k of 35:39
