NYSD Cross Country Richmond 16th March 2003

The last of this season’s NYSD X-C fixtures was hosted by Richmond and Zetland Harriers at Richmond School on Sunday 16th. The early morning frost and mist gave way to a clear and sunny afternoon, perfect weather for competitors, officials and spectators. The individual League titles for all fifteen age groups are scored on the best five results from a maximum six, and all competitors scoring 20 points or more earn a medal, whereas the team trophies are earned for total points for the whole season. Despite most awards being “sorted”, runners and Clubs still had their last races - to be sure.

Results U13 to U17

Results Seniors

Final Points -End Season

In the under 13 Boys race, Khalid Thompson of Shildon was winner on the day, Scarborough won the team race and with it the Trophy for the season and Lewis Rogers of Loftus won the individual title with 43 points.

The first three of the Harriers’ eleven medallists came in the under 13 Girls race as Scarlett Gray, Jo Adams and Jessica Gray finished with 37, 35 and 29 points respectively. All three girls have been consistent points scorers, both individually and for the team who won on the day and comfortably won the team title. Jo Adams had a great race, splitting individual titleist Alex Wheatman and runner-up Abbie Johnson of Scarborough, for a best-of-the-season second place finish.

Chris Andrade has had a great first winter with the Club, missed only one race at Hartlepool and ended-up just outside the medals. Chris finished 9th on the day, four places behind team-mate Philip Fitzpatrick whose six points took him to 21 and a medal. Middlesbrough Athletic Club (Mandale) won the team race, won the title and had the individual winner in Luke Stockton.

The under 15 Girls title was a sure thing once Jessie Roberts turned-up. Jessie is a superb talent - with three wins and one second place from her previous four League races (and despite competing in a 22 mile bike race around Wensleydale in the morning!) she ran second to Emma Macalister-Hall of Rowntrees to finish tops with 48 points. In one of two most closely contested categories, Rowntrees were first team on the day to snatch the team trophy from Scarborough by a single point.

The under 17 Boys race has had the smallest fields all season and there was no exception at Richmond where there were only nine finishers. Lewis Moses of Newton Aycliffe won his fifth race to claim the individual title with a perfect 50 points and lead his team to victory on the day and to the team title.

The Harriers celebrated their third title when Louise Jackson finished 2nd to Dawn Richardson of Quakers in the Ladies race, finishing her first season as a Senior with 47 points and the individual Trophy. Rachel Robinson was also a winner, finishing 8th on the day to finish with 31 points and a medal - number seven for the Club. The Ladies Team Trophy was the second of the two most closely contested categories as M&C and RZH were tied on 52 points going into the race but the Teessiders were clear winners on the day and worthy champions.

Paul Zissler - Senior Mens Race

The last four medals came out of the Men’s race with two Seniors and two Veterans. Paul Welham of NMH was already assured of the individual Senior Men’s trophy and the Harrier’s John Aspell confirmed his runners-up place with 7th on the day. Jon Orange was second home for the Club in 10th place despite a 20 mile training run the previous day. Jon’s sponsorship from Peacocks of Richmond is providing him with the means that will end with a serious attempt at the title in the Veteran’s race at the London Marathon. Jon only turned 40 last December; he has contested the season as a Senior and finished 5th overall. In the same month, Jim Robinson and Mike Brooks had their 57th and 55th birthdays respectively and, despite “giving away” several years to the opposition, copied their Senior team-mates by finishing 2nd and 5th overall in the MV2 category. The Men’s team title was won by Nestle Rowntree and the Harriers were runners-up.

RZH results: under 13 Girls - 2nd Jo Adams, 5th Scarlett Gray, 7th Sophie Broadway, 8th Jessica Gray, 9th Rosie Adams, 14th Katie Roberts & 34th Francesca Fowden - 1st team; under 15 Boys - 5th Philip Fitzpatrick & 9th Chris Andrade; under 15 Girls - 2nd Jessie Roberts & 12th Leah Jackson; under 17 Boys - 2nd Nick Zissler; Ladies - 2nd Louise Jackson, 8th Rachel Robinson, 20th Fiona Hughes & 33rd (& 9th U17) Sadie Potter - 3rd team; Men “A” team - 7th John Aspell, 10th, Jon Orange, 15th Ken Harker, 21st Shaun Purkiss, 55th (& 4th MV50) Jim Robinson & 63rd (&5th MV50) Mike Brooks; “B” team - 90th Paul Zissler, 94th Ian Hepworth & 97th Neil Piper - 3rd team.

Nottingham University

Further afield, Nottingham University student Andrea Woodvine has won the last three East Midlands League races for her University team; at Colwick Wood, Nottingham, in Bramcote Park and at Wollaton Park. The University team has also been active in road relays at Nottingham and at the BUSA Championships at Oxford and was placed in the first three teams.