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The Lincoln Wellington endurance squad were out in force at this year's National Cross Country Championships in Roundhay Park, Leeds, where an undulating circuit had been turned into a quagmire by recent heavy rain.
With an ascent of the notorious Hill 60 coming towards the end of every lap, this was not a course for the faint-hearted but the Wellington athletes responded to the challenge in great style with team silver medals in the
U20 Women's race and a number of tremendous individual performances.
The late withdrawal of Blue Haywood appeared to have dealt the medal hopes of the
U20 Women's team a fatal blow. However, with Lara Thomas running strongly throughout for 24th place and well supported by Georgia Ball 38th, Rochelle Harrison 53rd, Sophie Cowper 56th and Holly Haywood 78th, the girls were delighted to pick up the silver medals.
All five of the girls, together with Haywood, will be eligible for the
U20 race next year when maybe they can go one better.
Top individual performance went to Sam Atkin with 7th place in a field of over 300 finishers in the
U17 Men's race. In 12th spot after a circuit he made ground steadily in the final stages and was still gaining on the leaders at the finish.
He confirmed his status as the top performer from the North of England.
Nathan Page was never too far away and kept going very well to finish 23rd.
And with Ronnie Wilson 62nd, Ian Maplethorpe 125th, Matt Bee 213th and Adam Baker 222nd, this was another good team effort to take 4th place.
There was an excellent run from Matt Bowser to hang on to 12th place in a massive
Senior Men's race of over 1400 finishers. He was mixing it with the big guns from the start and despite losing a few places on the final circuit he kept going strongly right to the line.
Ian Kimpton was pleased with 71st place after a recent cold and veteran Les Ball also did well to finish 233rd.
Paul Samways tuned up for the London Marathon in 543rd place and Geoff Powley slugged it out well to finish 1340th.
Another fine individual performance came from Emma Tonner with 14th place in another huge field in the
U15 Girl's race. Still in the same age group next year, she could develop into a medal challenger.
Bo Haywood was a little off her best but not disgraced at all in 52nd.
Libbie Read led home the U17 Women's squad in 44th place with Laura Donnelly 67th, Sheridan McWilliam 81st, Gemma Selwood 151st and Nicola Isaacs 169th.
Abbie Donnelly did very well to pick up 30th place in the U13 Girl's contest and was followed in by Rebekah Ward 66th, Clara Temple 247th and Lucy Read 304th.
Haran Dunderdale was first home for the U15 Boy's team in 81st place.
Dylan Love was 97th with Richard Brine 181st and Sam Shuttleworth 275th.
Chris Woodger in 119th spot and Jack Cornwell 171st were the only two Wellington athletes in a high class
Junior Men's field. And, in the U13 Boy's event, Alex Humberstone took 101st position ahead of Declan Dickenson 128th, Joe Shuttleworth 188th and Dion Harrison 283rd.
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at info@lwac.org.uk