LWAC - NoE XC Champs - Derby

Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club (LWAC)
© LWAC 2000-2002 - last updated 29 January 2002

North of England XC Champs
Derby - 26 January 2002

Despite competing in a new age group Rachael Nathan added the North of England under 17 women's cross country title to the to the one she won last year in the under 15 age group. A fiendishly testing course at Allestree Park, Derby was made all the more savage by heavy rain throughout the morning which changed the going to a quagmire and produced the ultimate test of endurance. The Wellington athlete was soon showing at the head of the field and looked relatively untroubled by the demanding conditions. She was well clear by halfway and despite easing down in the closing stages she was still almost thirty seconds clear of her nearest pursuer at the line. This was a very impressive performance and will be a big confidence booster for her next major race which will be the Inter Counties championships at Nottingham on February 9th. There was an eye-catching performance from Sarah Coates who placed 17th in the same race. Her recent training has gone well but this was a big step up on her previous achievements and she was in front of several much better known athletes. Alice Thomas kept going well to complete the Wellington trio and finished a creditable 43rd.

Another strong run came from Jason Hall in the under 17 men's race. In a high quality field of 134 finishers he was not far behind the winner in 21st position. New member Will Strangeway and Matt Hughes both found things a little tougher but battled through the mud to finish 90th and 94th respectively. Tom Doe was hoping for a big run in the junior men's race and although he finished in 12th place he was a little disappointed that he was not able to handle the testing conditions better. Claire Gregory was unfazed by the mud and 55th place in a big senior women's field was a good effort from her. Kathy Warhurst found the hills taking their toll and was back in 116th spot with veteran Betty Stracey ploughing steadily through the mud to finish 158th.

Most of the younger Wellington athletes had little experience of competition at this level but they all coped with the conditions with great credit and gained some invaluable racing experience. In the under 13 girls race Rachel Humberstone did very well to finish 45th . Kelly Gilbert was next across the line in 87th position with Josina Clarke just behind in 89th and Katy Campion 99th. Joe Mayall led the under 13 boys squad home in 97th place with Jack Ramsden 99th, Beren Cross 105th and Paul Samways 132nd. Sam Delaney had his best run for the club in the under 15 boy's race when finishing 113th. Gary Cruickshank was in 119th position with Shaun Dunn 130th and Mark Plaskett 139th.

Contact LWAC via	at info@lwac.org.uk (general enquiries) at website@lwac.org.uk (for website updates, news, results or comments)
Return to previous page
Return to LWAC Home page