National Cross Country Championships - Sunderland - 10th March 2007

Richmond and Zetland junior athletes once again produced some fantastic results in the National Cross Country Championships, held at Herrington Park, Sunderland on Saturday 10th March, where the course was undulating and challenging. The lack of senior athletes at the venue for various reasons was disappointing, but did not detract from the brilliant performances of younger members on the day.

Once again the U13 Boys team produced the top results of the competition, with the seemingly unstoppable Fergus Roberts claiming a magnificent 4th place overall, only 17 seconds behind the outright winner; a sure talent for the future and with another year remaining in this age group. Another bright hope in the form of Marc Scott, once again came up with goods, finishing in a fantastic 17th position overall, while team mate James King had a fine run to take 115th and Paul Harmsworth promptly took 208th place to bring the team into a well deserved 14th place. Maddy Winzer and Rosie Stirr were the representatives in the U13 Girl’s race over 3K, with Maddy having a strong race to take a highly commendable 41st, while Rosie ran extremely well to claim 233rd position overall.

In the Under 17 Women’s race, Jane Thornton had a solid outing on the course to claim 151st place in the field, while Jessie Roberts was the sole Harriers in the U20 Women’s race and had a strong and convincing run to finish in 62nd position. For the U15 Boys, training partners Tom Allen and Sam Wood were in flying form and once again battled it out over the terrain, with Tom taking 73rd and Sam 100th from 266 runners. Doug Roberts rounded off a family trio of appearances by promptly taking 55th position over 6K in the U17 Men’s race, in what was a highly competitive arena.

RZH Results: Under 13 Boys – 4th Fergus Roberts, 17th Marc Scott, 115th James King & 208th Paul Harmsworth, Team 14th. Under 13 Girls – 41st Maddy Winzer & 233rd Rosie Stirr. Under 15 Boys – 73rd Thomas Allen & 100th Sam Wood. Under 17 Women – 151st Jane Thornton. Under 17 Men – 55th Doug Roberts. Under 20 Women – 62nd Jessie Roberts.

Dentdale Road Race 10th March 2007

Ian Hepworth

The same day, Ian Hepworth was in action further west, taking parting in the slightly longer Dentdale Road Race, which covers 14 miles and starts in Dent village near Sedburgh. Finishing in a fine time of 1.55.40 and 217th out of 448 competitors, Ian was using the race in his build up to the London Marathon in April, getting in some solid training and the all-important mileage for the forthcoming challenge in just 4 weeks time.

Fleet Half Marathon - 11th March 2007

Kelley Hanniver made the journey South over the same weekend to take part in the Fleet Half Marathon in Hampshire on Sunday 11th March; a favoured and highly popular race for anyone preparing for the London Marathon. The flat, fast course, which is run along urban and rural roads, attracts a high volume of runners and Kelley was certainly on form on the day. Clocking a finishing time of 1.25.34, she had a magnificent race to take 119th place overall and was 7th lady across the line in the process, showing that she has the ability to race strongly over all distances from 3K upwards.