Inter Counties Cross Country Championships - Nottingham - 15th March 2008

Medals were once again the flavour of the day for Richmond and Zetland athletes, who made the journey to Wollaton Park, Nottingham on Saturday 15th March, to take part in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships. They all represented Yorkshire, after qualifying via the County Championships at Huddersfied in January. Conditions were dry and ideal for racing, with no wind for a change and firm ground underfoot. It was a well-organised event, with an extremely varied course for all age groups.

James King & Fergus Roberts

Top result of the day once again went to the talented Fergus Roberts in the Under 13 Boys race, who struck gold, taking overall victory once again, making this his 4th gold medal in the Cross Country season, having already won the Yorkshire, Northern and National titles in his Under 13 age group. It has been an outstanding and memorable season for this very gifted athlete, who looks set to build on his achievements. Only a minute further back in 52nd position overall was team mate James King; another Harrier who has had a remarkable season and has accomplished so much, as well as rightly earning his Yorkshire vest and helping the Under 13 Boys team to a magnificent 4th place overall, which is a fantastic result.

Sam Wood was another racing on the back of an excellent result in the National competition at the end of February, in this, his first inter-counties event in Yorkshire colours in the Under 15 Boys event. Rounding off the season in real style, he promptly completed the 4.5K course in a time of 15.50, which earned him a bronze medal, as 4th counter for the Yorkshire team, who finished in 3rd place overall. Marc Scott was also competing in the same race, crossing the line just 23 seconds later in 76th position, showing that he has real talent during his first year in this age group, having also gained his Yorkshire colours at Under 13 level in previous years.

Doug Roberts was unfortunately absent from the Under 17 Men’s race due to illness, which although disappointing, he is sure to feature in many future events due to talent, after finishing 3rd overall in the Yorkshire Championships. His sister, Jessie Roberts was part of the Under 20 Ladies team, who covered 6K around the course and did extremely well, completing the distance in 27.32, which earned her 80th overall against some stiff opposition. Jo Adams was delighted to also be called up for the team and earn her first Yorkshire vest for Cross County, relishing the opportunity to compete at this level and thoroughly enjoying the experience. She also ran extremely well to finish 95th overall with a time of 28.19, showing that she has grown very strong throughout the Winter season and raced well off-road.

Second claim member Andrea Woodvine was also in the mix for the medals, finishing high up the rankings in a magnificent 22nd position overall. The 8K course took her just 29.44 to complete in the Senior Women’s race, showing that she is in fantastic shape and claimed a team gold medal in the process, finishing as 3rd team counter in her Yorkshire colours.

RZH Results: Under 13 Boys – 1st (& Inter Counties Champion) Fergus Roberts & 52nd James King, Team 4th. Under 15 Boys – 31st Sam Wood (Bronze Team Medal) & 76th Marc Scott, Team 3rd. Under 20 Women – 80th Jessie Roberts & 95th Jo Adams, Team 9th. Senior Women – 22nd Andrea Woodvine (Gold Team Medal), Team 1st.