LWAC - European XC Champs Report

Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club (LWAC)
© LWAC 2000-2001 - last updated 13 December 2001

European XC Champs - Thun
9 December 2001

Lincoln Wellington athlete Matt Bowser produced the run of his life to finish a superb 13th in the junior men's race at the European Cross Country Championships at Thun in Switzerland. On his debut appearance in a Great Britain vest he was delighted to be 3rd finisher for the National squad who won the team gold medals with a comfortable 13 points margin over their nearest rivals who were the highly rated Portuguese team. After the usual scramble for positions in the early stages the Wellington junior came past the start point well in touch with the leaders in around 30th position after the first of the four fairly tight 1510 metre laps. With the field gradually spreading out he had moved through to 22nd at the end of the second lap and
continuing to make steady progress and looking remarkably comfortable, he was in 17th position at the beginning of the final circuit. By the time he reached the closing stages he was up to 15th spot and with a flying finish over the last 200 metres he grabbed two more places in the shadow of the line to claim 13th place.

He now appears to be established among the best endurance runners in the country in his age group and provided the age groupings for the juniors are left unchanged for next year it is not difficult to see him going to Croatia for the 2002 Championships as a major contender. Prior to that however he will be concentrating on selection for the British team for the 2002 World Cross Country Championships which are due to take place at Dublin in March. The trial for this will be the Reebok Inter Counties at Wollaton Park, Nottingham in February and although he will be taking nothing for granted he will be looking for a top four placing in that event to secure his ticket to Ireland.

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