Schools Area Cross Country Competition - Risedale - 3rd February 2007

Risedale School, near Richmond was the venue for this years Schools Area Cross Country competition on Saturday 3rd February. Fifteen junior Richmond and Zetland athletes took part, from which 5 will definitely represent North Yorkshire at the English Schools Championships at Leeds. A further 6 will also make the journey to represent North Yorkshire against Humberside at York, gaining their county colours in the process, with the possibility of also being selected for the final 2 team places in each age group.

The Year 7 races were strongly contended and some excellent results achieved: Fergus Roberts won the race outright for the boys, while James King finished in a fabulous 4th place overall. For the girls, Amy Coulson was top Harrier in 9th position and Rosie Stirr finished a highly commended 30th. As this age group do not go forward to the championships, those finishing in the top 15 will also earn their county colours by competing at York. In the Junior Boys race, Sam Wood finished 3rd overall and Marc Scott had a great run to finish in 6th place, while Tom Allen was only a few seconds behind in 7th position. Rosie Adams had a strong run to finish 13th in the Inter Girls competition and team mate Jane Thornton finished strongly to take 36th overall. Doug Roberts took top honours, winning the Inter Boys race, while Liam Fletcher crossed the line in 28th, Adam Scott in 32nd and Ian Donaghue in 39th. There was also a trio of Harriers taking part for the Senior Girls, with Jo Adams first home in 5th place, Jessie Roberts making a welcome return in 6th and Katie Roberts with an excellent 7th position.

RZH Results: Year 7 Boys – 1st Fergus Roberts & 4th James King. Year 7 Girls – 9th Amy Coulson & 30th Rosie Stirr. Junior Boys – 3rd Sam Wood, 6th Marc Scott & 7th Tom Allen. Inter Girls – 13th Rosie Adams & 36th Jane Thornton. Inter Boys – 1st Doug Roberts, 28th Liam Fletcher, 32nd Adam Scott & 39th Ian Donaghue. Senior Girls – 5th Jo Adams, 6th Jessie Roberts & 7th Katie Roberts.

NYSD Cross Country Stockton - 4th February 2007

Ian Scott

Some of the same athletes were in action again the next day at Blakeston School, Stockton for the 5th NYSD cross country fixture. Most teams were down on numbers due to numerous other races taking place over the same weekend. First away were the U13 boys, once again showing everyone the way forward. Fergus Roberts clocked up his second victory of the weekend, with regular team mate Marc Scott finishing 2nd, Paul Harmsworth in 7th and Rob Scott with a 12th position finish, bringing the team home in first.

The U13 girls had 4 representatives, who raised the stakes and finished as 3rd team on the day, with Amy Coulson leading the way in 5th place, followed by Gaby Rawdin in 11th, Rosie Stirr in 21st and Kerry Robson running well to claim 26th overall. Doug Roberts was another athlete racing two days on the trot and promptly took 3rd place in the Under 17 Men’s race. The ladies had only 2 competitors on this occasion due to other race commitments and manager Fiona Hughes being injured, but both produced great results, with Jo Adams racing home to a fantastic 9th place and Jenny Fenwick in a pleasing 28th position. The men fielded a full team, with some welcome competitors at the sharp end. Jon Orange ran another strong race to take a fantastic 3rd place overall and claim 1st place in the Vet 1 category. Ken Harker was next home in 11th, while Ian Scott finished in 17th place, putting the team in a great position. Tad Zaranko took a well-earned 24th position, while Ray Robson moved up the table to 78th place. Ian Hepworth crossed the line in 86th overall and Neil Piper raced well to complete the line up and finish as 94th competitor.

RZH Results: U13 Boys – 1st Fergus Roberts, 2nd Marc Scott, 7th Paul Harmsworth & 12th Rob Scott, Team 1st. U13 Girls – 5th Amy Coulson, 11th Gaby Rawdin, 21st Rosie Stirr & 26th Kerry Robson, Team 3rd. U17 Men – 3rd Dougie Roberts. Senior/Vet/U17 Ladies – 9th Jo Adams & 28th Jenny Fenwick. Senior/Vet Men – 3rd Jon Orange (& 1st Vet 1), 11th Ken Harker, 17th Ian Scott, 24th Tad Zaranko, 78th Ray Robson, 86th Ian Hepworth & 94th Neil Piper, Team 3rd.

Sarah Gregory was also in action over the weekend, taking part in something completely new to her, in the form of Rombalds Stride; a 22 mile off-road race up the Airedale Valley, over Baildon Moor to Ilkley, Coldstone Ghyll and over Otley Chevin. The route takes in several steep climbs and descents, as well as boggy moor and rocky paths. Using the event improve her endurance for the London Marathon in April, she completed the challenging course in 4 hours 20 and thoroughly enjoyed her first navigating and running experience, with a little help from friends along the way.