NYSD Cross Country Relays 13th October 2002

Rosie, Jo, Katie & Francesca U13 Girls Winners

This winter's NYSD X-C season got under way on Sunday 13th at Eastbourne Sports Complex, Darlington under grey skies. Richmond and Zetland Harriers were in optimistic mood with strength in depth throughout the afternoon's seven races.

Unfortunately, there was a body blow in round one when the Club couldn't muster an under 13 boys team but the under 13 girls more than made up for this by winning their race. With four girls available for the 3 x 1¼ mile relay, Katie Roberts ran first leg for the team, handing-over in fourth place, whilst Francesca Fowden, making her debut over the country for the Club, showed great promise finishing eighth from the fifteen starting teams. Rosie Adams ran second leg and picked-up a place to give her sister Jo a good chance; it was enough for her and she strode out to win by a good margin.

There were twenty-one teams in race three, Junior, Senior and Veteran Men over 4 x 2½ miles, and the Harriers had three complete teams on the

star line. Shaun Purkiss led the A team as Jon Orange was busy spectating elsewhere and handed-over fifth to James Wardman. Despite suffering from the after effects of a cold, the Loughborough University student ran well and picked-up a place. Summer training partner Ken Harker ran third leg, passing one runner but being passed in turn by Steve Hepples of Loftus, whose 10:50 was the fastest on the day. John Aspell had the last leg for the A team and positively flew - running 11:17, the day's second fastest time and overhauling two more teams to bring the Club home in second place. The B team comprised Dan Brooks, Brian McNabb, Peter Robinson (fresh from his GNR triumph) and Paul Roberts who had competed in a hill-climb bike race that morning. They ran well to finish a creditable ninth, one place ahead of the Veterans who none-the-less claimed gold medals as first in category.

The Ladies race over 3 x 1¼ miles was again a mixture; this time of under 17 girls plus Juniors, Seniors and Veterans, with both composite teams and those defined by age category. The two RZH teams were both a mixture. Louise Jackson ran a fine first leg, handing-over to Becky Robinson, making her debut on the country amongst the seniors, and Rachel Robinson ran third to bring the team home in fourth place. The B team of Sadie Potter, Fiona Hughes and Jenny Fenwick all ran well to finish twelfth.

Race five for under 15 boys was again over 3 x 1¼ miles. James "Titch" Robinson and Chris Andrade both enjoyed their first competitive runs for the Harriers and, along with multi-eventer Sam Stanislaus, brought the team home fourth.

By the time the under 15 girls came to race the weather had turned decidedly wintry but it didn't impair their performance. Again, there were four girls available to make-up the 3 x 1¼ mile relay team so both Ashleigh Robinson and Jade Cawthray ran the first leg. Although Jade was first back it was Ashleigh who handed-on to Leah Jackson who in turn set Jessie Roberts away on the last leg but she had just a little too much ground to make-up and the team finished second.

The final body blow came in the last race when again the Club couldn't raise a team and the nett result was second place - the Harriers missed winning the Aggregate Trophy for the best all-round performance by just two points.

RZH Results

Harewood Hop 13th October

The Harewood Hop over two miles of scenic parkland was on the same day and two families of Harriers competed with great success. The Gray family had daughter Scarlett 9th overall & 1st girl 11-12 in 13:28 plus mother Joanna 16th & 1st lady in 15:03, both course records and then daughter Jessica 12th & 2nd girl 11-12 in 14:31 plus father Shane 13th & 3rd man in 14: 49. The Shaw family were also successful with father Mike 25th in 16:10, one place ahead of daughter Rebecca 26th overall & 1st girl 7-8, and Leanne 31st & 4th girl 11-12 in 16:55.

Wasdale Head Fell Race 13th October

Elsewhere, at the Wasdale Head Fell Race, Gary achieved his season's objective - he writes "I'm trying not to move too much this morning, I ache in every muscle!! however, I did achieve my aim by finishing 7th overall, and 2nd Vet, which gave me the extra four points needed for comfort. The race started from the show just opposite the pub at Wasdale Head and went straight into the climb up Kirk Fell, which is 2000ft. At the cairn at the top, I had a couple of seconds to take in the view, across to Great Gable and Scarr Fell on my left and the Showground like a map below me, it really does give me a buzz. It took 32 minutes to the summit and 15 down. Next year, I hope to go better for RZH."

Footnote

Lastly; John Wild, Veteran thrower-extraordinaire, reports he has lost his British Vets over 50 record for the 56lb super-heavy hammer, that he gained in Wels, Austria during this summer's European Veteran's Throws Championships and Throwarama, to his good friend Merrick Bousfield of Liverpool.