UK Inter-counties XC Championships 2023: Team managers’ Report
After many years of this highlight of the Cross-Country (XC) season being held on home soil (Prestwold Hall, Loughborough), the 2024 version was held up-the-road at Wollaton Park, Nottingham on Saturday, March 9th. … The fast-running surface at Wollaton Park – rather than the perennial mud of Prestwold – coupled with a severe hill ascent on each lap completed, offered a somewhat different challenge to the UK’s finest distance runners from over 40 County/Regional teams.
Following last year’s medal successes for both the Senior Men’s and Women’s teams, hopes this year were more guarded as both teams were short of key personnel that might have triggered another medal assault.
The Men’s team – led out by County XC Champion Tom Evans – battled bravely, but with only 4 of the 6 counters inside the top 100 after the opening 2 laps, any hopes of a team medal soon dissipated. Nevertheless, interest was maintained as Tom fought for individual honours (and World XC selection), only missing out on the title in the final stretch, as he repeated his individual Silver medal winning performance from a year ago. (Note: Tom has subsequently been selected to represent GB&NI at the World XC in Belgrade at the end of March). … Tom was well supported as Cameron Main (22nd), Lewis Moses (74th ), and Simon Allen (97th) all made the top 100 finishers. The team finished 12th to register the best finish by our teams on the day.
The Senior Women’s team – shorn of the top 4 finishers at our County XC Championships, who were all unavailable – fought equally well with Emily Smith (54th), Amy Jackson (56th), and Aimee Seager (74th) all featuring in the top 100 finishers. The team finished 17th overall to register the next best finish by our teams.
In the younger age group races, there were stand out (top 50) individual performances from: Daniel Van Aardt (U20M: 9th); Jack Llewellyn (U17M: 20th); Emma Graham-Brown (U15G: 20th); Elizabeth Griffiths (U13G: 24th); and Harry Campion (U15B: 39th). … Daniel finished within 30 seconds of a plane ticket to the World XC Championships; whilst Jack, Emma, and Elizabeth will be competing in the same age-groups next year, offering the prospect of even higher individual honours.
Other outstanding (top 100) performances in the younger age-group races were recorded by: Isabella Wrightam (U20W: 51st); Rosie West (U17W: 59th); Phoebe Langlands (U15G: 62nd); Lyla Bryan (U20W: 74th); Harry Fletcher (U13B: 75th); Lucas Wayman (U13B: 93rd); Finlay Friedersdorff (U17M: 97th); Olly Lockton (U15B: 97th); Leonora Parr (U17W: 99th); and William Griffiths (U15B: 100th) .
We would like to ‘thank’: all the athletes, for conducting themselves in an exemplary manner throughout the day; all the parents and coaches for their support; and Wreake & Soar Valley AC for providing the County with a tent to act as the team base on the day (with special thanks to Ross Tyrrell for having the tent set up before the first County team manager or athlete had turned up!)
Alan Maddocks / Bilal Farah / Bill Winter / Lisa Douglas / and Wayne Walker. (Leicestershire & Rutland County XC Team Managers)
2023 County Half-Marathon Road Race Championships.
The final Leicestershire & Rutland AA Championship event of the year was held as part of the Leicester Half-Marathon starting and finishing at Victoria Park, Leicester on Sunday, October 1st. In the Men’s race, the reigning County Champion, Mo Hussein (Leicester Roadhoggs AC) quickly established a big lead that was never challenged as he crossed the line in a PB time of 66 minutes and 58 seconds to retain his title. Whilst Mo went unchallenged, the battle for Silver and Bronze was a much closer affair as Leicester Coritanian AC’s Jamie Short (73.31) passed OWLS AC’s Simon Allen (73.38) in the closing stages of the race. The Women’s race saw Rebecca Randell (Shepshed Running Club) go one place better than last year to claim the County title in a time of 85 minutes and 08 seconds. The County Silver went to Charlie Nurse (West End Runners) in a time of 87.18; whilst Poplar Running Club’s Kirsty Dale claimed the County Bronze in 87.39. The County Association would like to thank the organisers of the Leicester Half-Marathon for once again hosting our Championship event.
County 10000m Track Championships 2023.
The 2023 County 10000m Track Championship was held as part of the ‘Night of Endurance PBs’ at Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton. At the conclusion of the race Finn Lydon (Charnwood AC) and Lisa Bettoney (Desford Striders) were crowned County Champions. Finn (31.39) was a comfortable winner coming home a lap ahead of his nearest pursuer, Tim Hartley (Notts AC / 32.56). Finn took the Senior Men’s Gold whist Tim took the Masters’ Gold. Finn and Tim were followed in by: Simon Allen (OWLS AC / 33.11 / Senior Silver); Mark Couldwell (Charnwood AC / 34.30 / Masters’ Silver); Alex Percy (Hermitage Harriers / 34.56 / Senior Bronze); & Gordon Lee (Leicester Coritanian AC / 34.57 / Masters’ Bronze). Lisa (49.06) was the only female competitor. Finn, Simon, and Lisa all recorded personal bests. The County Association would like to thank all the County athletes that supported our 10000m Championship, and Nick Wilson (Nuneaton Harriers) for incorporating this Championship event within his Open Meeting promotion.
County Fell Running Championships 2023
The 2023 County Fell Running Championships was held in conjunction with the West End Runners promoted Windmill Fell Race (a Category B Fell Race) at Woodhouse Eaves. On a warm and humid evening the 2-lap 5 Mile course taking in Windmill Hill and Broombriggs Farm offered a stern challenge for the 120 plus runners participating.
The Men’s race saw the reigning champion and course record holder Simon Allen (OWLS AC) challenged by the 2023 County 10K champion Mo Hussein (Leicester Roadhoggs AC). Mo established a small lead on the opening lap and extended his advantage over the second lap to claim the race win and County title in a time of 31 minutes & 32 seconds. Simon (32-05) had to settle for the County Silver, but held on to the course record that he established last year. The County Bronze went to Huncote Harriers’ Jayjay Rathod (33-53) who produced a strong finish in the final stages to pip Beaumont Running Club’s Phil Chritchlow by a few seconds.
The Women’s race saw the host club’s Sarah Horner step up from her 2022 runner-up spot to claim the County title in a time of 40 minutes & 02 seconds. The County Silver was won by Amy Freeman Hughes (40-52) and the County Bronze by Nicola Stevenson (43-06), both runners representing Loughborough-based Poplar Running Club.
The County Association wish to express our thanks to Mark Lambell (and his team from West End Runners) for offering us the opportunity to hold the County Championships as part of their event.
Full race results can be found here:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/windmillfellrace/
County 10k Road Race Championships 2023
Hot, humid conditions added to the challenges runners faced as they competed for County 10K Road Race Championship medals at the Barrow Runners’ Prestwold 10K.
A fast start along the straight runway of the old airfield soon stretched the leaders out and by the 4K mark of the race, where runners exited onto the local country roads, Mo Hussein (Roadhoggs AC), Tom Mahon (Wreake & Soar Valley AC), and Simon Allen (Owls AC) had already broken free. Mo pressed on to increase his advantage to well over a minute as he re-entered the Prestwold airfield to claim the Men’s Gold medal and County title, crossing the finishing line in a time of 32 minutes & 39 seconds. Tom (33-50) held on for the Silver medal, whilst Luke Ingram (34-11) finished strongly over the final mile to overtake his Owls AC teammate for the Bronze medal.
In the County Women’s race, Emily Smith (Charnwood AC) forged ahead to record an equally comfortable victory in a time of 37 minutes & 22 seconds. Following Emily home came former GB International runner Laura Whittle of Barrow Runners (38-28), and West End Runners’ County 2023 5K Road and 5000m Track Champion, Joanna Male (39-25).
The County Association wish to extend our gratitude to Barrow Runners for agreeing to host our County Championships within their event.
Following the County 10K Championships, a number of runners strengthened their positions in the ‘County Endurance Challenge.’ … Joanna recorded her third scoring performance, whilst Mo, Luke, Simon, and Alex Adie (Desford Striders) recorded their second scoring performances. … Runners need to register FOUR scoring performances across 2023, with the remaining races being the County Championships in: Fell Running (Windmill Fell Race, Woodhouse Eaves: 12/07); 10000m Track running (Nuneaton: 09/08); & the Leicester Half-Marathon (01/10).
County 5k Road Race Championships 2023
The Leicestershire & Rutland AA County 5K Road Race Championships was once again held at Mallory Park. The Men’s race was quickly settled as Wreake & Soar Valley AC’s Daniel Van Aardt raced to a commanding lead on the opening lap. Daniel, who had won the County U17M XC title and claimed Midlands Counties XC Bronze in January, extended his lead in the remaining two laps to come home well clear in a personal best time of 15.31. The battle for the remaining medals was keenly fought as four County athletes entered the final lap in contention. At the finishing line it was Desford Striders’ Alex Adie who took Silver in 16.18, just ahead of Owls AC’s Luke Ingram in 16.22. The Women’s race was won in equally commanding fashion as West End Runners’ Joanna Male completed the 5K course over a minute ahead of her nearest pursuers. Joanna, who had most recently won County road titles at both 10K and 10 Miles in 2019, clocked a time of 18 minutes dead. Maria Shaw (Harborough AC) took Silver in 19.13, whilst Rachel Bentley (Barrow Runners) took Bronze in 19.51. Both Maria and Rachel recorded personal best times in claiming their medals. The County Association wish to thank: ATW (Active Training World) Events for hosting our Championships; and the athletes who took part for supporting our Championships. Full results for the event can be viewed here: http://results.eventchiptiming.com/results.aspx?CId=16202&RId=10162&EId=5
UK Inter-counties XC Championships 2023: Team managers’ Report
The UK Inter-Counties XC Championships – held at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough, on Saturday, March 11th – once more drew highly competitive fields, featuring the UK’s finest distance runners from over 40 County/Regional teams. Our Leicestershire & Rutland AA teams excelled, particularly at Senior level where our Men’s team won Team Gold (ahead of Hampshire in 2nd, & Lancashire in 3rd), whilst our Women’s team claimed Team Silver (behind Surrey, and ahead of Yorkshire in 3rd).
In the Senior Men’s event Tom Evans spearheaded the County charge contesting for the lead before taking the Individual Silver on the line, behind the impressive race winner Mahamed Mahamed (Hampshire). Tom was followed in by: Mohammed Hussein (21st); Daniel Hallam (22nd); Alastair Watson (24th); Cameron Main (31st); & Luke Pollard (57th). The winning margin was a comfortable 79 points as the County won the Men’s team trophy for the first time in the events near one-hundred year history.
In the Senior Women’s event the team was led in by Gemma Steel who chased home Loughborough-based Northern Ireland athlete Grace Carson to claim Individual Silver. Gemma was followed in by: Nikki Bartlett (21st); Hannah Seager (27th); Sophia Green (33rd); Emily Smith (46th); & Aimee Seager (69th). The depth of quality in the Women’s team was highlighted with our first non-scorer (Amy Jackson: 100th) also making the top 100 finishers.
In the younger age group races the stand out performance came from U15 Girl Shaikira King who took Individual Silver, missing out on the race win by a single second to Scotland West athlete, Zara Redmond. The outstanding team performance in the younger age groups was posted by our U13 Girls who finished 4th team, missing out on team medals by less than 20 points. The scoring members of the team were: Phoebe Langlands (18th); Matilda Don (31st); Amelia Towlson (38th); & Luan Power (49th).
Other outstanding (top 100) performances in the younger age-group races were recorded by: Daniel Van Aardt (U17M: 22nd); Isabella Wrightam (U17W: 34th); Violet Rudkin (U15G: 61st); Jayjay Rathod (U20M: 64th); Florence Wheeler (U15G: 68th); Freddie Sharpe (U13B: 72nd); Lachlan Finch (U20M: 84th); Max Muddle (U13B: 84th); & Lyla Bryan (U17W: 89th).
As Team Managers we would like to ‘thank’: all the athletes, for conducting themselves in an exemplary manner throughout the day; all the parents and coaches for their support; and John Skevington (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) for providing the County with a sizable tent to act as the team base on the day.
Full Results: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7039975178045137920
Alan Maddocks / Bilal Farah / Bill Winter / Lisa Douglas / & Wayne Walker. (Leicestershire & Rutland County XC Team Managers)
County Half-Marathon Road Race Championships: 30/10
The final Leicestershire & Rutland AA Championship event of the year was held as part of the Leicester Half-Marathon starting and finishing at Victoria Park, Leicester on Sunday, October 30th.
The Men’s race was keenly fought with the County title eventually going to Mo Hussein (Roadhoggs Leicester AC) in a time of 68 minutes and 41 seconds. Mo just got the better of Wreake & Soar Valley’s Danny Hallam (69.04), who also ran inside the 70-minute barrier. In Bronze medal place was Tom Mahon (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) in 71.22. The Master’s Gold was claimed by Ludo Renou (Leicester Coritanian AC) in 74.01.
The Women’s title was also fiercely contested as the winning margin came down to less than 10 seconds. At the finish it was Charnwood AC’s Vicky Baddick (85.36) who just got the better of Rebecca Randell (Shepshed RC), with Rebecca recording a time of 85.44. The Bronze medal was claimed by West End Runners’ Sarah Horner (88.05), whilst the Master’s Gold went to Laura Pescott (Race Rapid) in a time of 95.01.
The County Association would like to thank the organisers of the Leicester Half-Marathon for once again hosting our Championship event.
With our Championship events now done and dusted for 2022, we are pleased to announce that the winner of our ‘County Endurance Challenge’ (linking our Cross-Country Championships, Track Championships at 5000m & 10000m, and our Road and Fell Running Championships) is Tom Mahon (Wreake & Soar Valley AC). Tom claimed individual Senior medals at the following Championship event … Cross-Country (Silver); Track 10000m (Gold); Fell Running (Silver); 10K Road (Bronze); & Half-Marathon (Bronze) … and will shortly receive his cash prize as reward for both the consistency of his performances and the ongoing support he has shown to our Championship events.
County 5000m Track Championships: 10/8
The 2022 County 5000m Track Championship was held as part of the ‘Night of Endurance PBs’ at Pingles Stadium, Nuneaton.
The Men’s race soon developed into a three-way fight for the medals with Kieran Cann (University of Leicester AC) claiming the Gold medal (and County title) with a time of 15.47.2, ahead of two Owls AC athletes, Luke Ingram (Silver) in 15.56.7, and Simon Allen (Bronze) in 16.00.0. All three athletes registered personal bests, and Kieran’s performance was notable in that he has been competing for less than a year. Another notable performance in the Men’s race was posted by Ben Benson (Huncote Harriers) who registered the 2nd best UK time (to date) in 2022 by a V60 athlete. Ben’s time was 17.33.2.
The Women’s race also developed into a three-way tussle with Isabella Wrightam (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) taking the honours in a time of 19.11.2, ahead of Gill Bland (Huncote Harriers) in 19.18.9, and Kristina Pajedaite (Huncote Harriers) in 19.50.9. Isabella took the U20W Gold, whilst Gill claimed the Senior Women’s Gold medal, with Kristina claiming the Senior Women’s Silver medal.
The County Association would like to thank the above athletes for supporting our 5000m Championship, and Nick Wilson (Nuneaton Harriers) for incorporating our 5000m Track Championship within his Open Meeting promotion.
County 10K Road Race Championships: 04/09
This takes place within the Wilne 10K (that also incorporates the Midland Counties 10K Road Race Championships) … details/entry here: https://www.wilne.co.uk/ … Currently the number of entries is nearing 600 (& I believe the race limit is 750 or 800) so – if you intend to compete & have yet to enter – you would be well advised to do so as soon as you can … Note: there are complementary entries for runners with ‘fast’ recent 10K / Half-Marathon times (details are on the event website)
County Half-Marathon Championships: 30/10
Further details can be found here: https://www.resultsbase.net/event/6153
County 5K Road Race Championships: 28/07
Race Rapid once more hosted the Leicestershire & Rutland AA County 5K Road Race Championships at Mallory Park on the evening of Thursday, July 28th. A strong men’s race soon developed into a four-way battle for the medals that was decided over the last mile as Alastair Watson (Notts AC) stretched away for the victory in a time of 14.34. In doing so Alastair added the County 5K title to the County XC title that he had won in January. Alastair was followed home by our 2021 5K & 1500m Champion, Adam Barber (Harborough AC) in a personal best time of 14.44. The battle for Bronze saw Finn Lydon (Charnwood AC) just getting the better of Charlie Neece (Wreake & Soar Valley AC), with both recording personal bests of 14.50 & 14.55 respectively. Additionally, Alastair claimed the Masters Gold, and Adam the Junior Gold.
The Women’s race was equally competitive as Gill Bland (Huncote Harriers) equalled her recently set personal best of 18.59 to claim the County title. Gill was followed home by Chloe Scotchbrook (Datchet Dashers) in 19.16, and Phoebe Langlands (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) in 19.28, with both Chloe and Phoebe running personal bests. In addition, Gill claimed the Masters Gold, and Phoebe the Junior Gold. The County Association wish to extend our thanks to Rob Osborn and his team at Race Rapid for their excellent organisation of the event.
CAU Inter-Counties
Prestwold Hall, 12/3/22
The UK Inter-Counties XC Championships (including the British Athletics XC Challenge) drew some of the best XC runners from across the UK to Prestwold Hall, Loughborough, on Saturday, March 12th. With up to 40 County/Regional teams participating the quality of competition was as always extremely high.
In the weeks following the County and Area Championships a number of runners became unavailable through injury, illness, or other reasons, weakening the pool of available athletes for final selection. In the circumstances our teams performed well as those present stepped up to the challenge on freshly designed new courses.
At Senior level, the Men’s team (whittled down to just six runners on the day) all completed to finish 12th (just failing to register three consecutive top 10 finishes). The team was admirably led in by our County Men’s Champion Alastair Watson, who finished 11th (a step up of 5 positions compared to 2020). Also recording a top 100 finish was Harry Lupton (making his county debut) in 34th position. … The Senior Women’s team finished in 24th place, with Emily Smith (101st) and Amy Jackson (115th) leading the way.
In the younger age group races our U15 Girls’ team excelled with a 7th place team finish (our highest team position on the day). The team was led in by Shaikira King, who just missed out on an individual medal with a 4th place finish. Shaikira was followed in by: Rebecca Van Aaardt (35th); Rosie Ashmore (58th); & Imogen Saunders (100th). There was a strong performance from our U13 Girls’ team (14th), with both Violet Rudkin (15th) and Luan Power (16th) featuring prominently. Our U17 Women’s team finished 33rd, with Amelie McCann (124th) leading the way; whilst Lexie McLoughlin excelled with a 41st place finish in the U20 Women’s race (no team finish).
The U13 Boys (28th), U15 Boys (36th), and U17 Men (34th) teams were the hardest hit by withdrawals. U13 Boy Edward Orchard (97th) secured a top 100 finish, whilst the U15 Boys and Under 17 Men’s team were respectively led in by Joe Matthews (174th) and Lachlan Finch (126th). The Under 20 Men’s team finished in a very respectable 15th position, with Joseph O’Connell (32nd) – making his county debut – leading the team in. Behind Joseph, both Colin Foord (88th) and Adam Barber (100th) secured top 100 finishes.
As Team Managers we would like to ‘thank’: the athletes for conducting themselves in an exemplary manner throughout the day; and Simon Mayes (West End Runners) for providing the County with 2 tents on the day. … Alan (who had to attend a family wedding) would also like to personally thank Iain Barber (U20 Men) and Tony Forryan (Senior Men) for stepping in and fulfilling his Team Manager duties on the day.
Full results can be found here: https://results.sporthive.com/events/6907000954898446080
Alan Maddocks / Bilal Farah / Bill Winter / Lisa Douglas / & Wayne Walker. (Leicestershire & Rutland County XC Team Managers)
County Cross Country Championships
Burbage Common, 8/1/22
Race 1: U17 Women
Elsie Robinson took a decisive victory, defending the title she won in 2020. Amelie McCann was clear in second, with lower age U17 Isabella Wrightam taking the bronze. There was a fantastic scrap for the team gold with the Charnwood trio of Amelie McCann, Sophie Dunbobbin and Gracie-Rose Walters edging it by a single point from Wreake & Soar Valley (Isabella Wrightam, Lyla Bryan and Cassandra Dodge).
Race 2: U13 Girls
Wreake & Soar Valley dominated the race, supplying the first four finishers and twelve in total. Violet Rudkin took a tight victory over Luan Power, with Sian Evans come home for bronze and completing a perfect team score of 6.
Race 3: U13 Boys
Joshua Adkin defended his U13 title, but he was made to work by newcomer Miles Willetts of Stilton Striders, who finished a strong second. Archie Clarke of Wreake & Soar Valley held off the Owls duo of Edward Orchard and Harry Campion for third. Charnwood (Joshua Adkin, Jacob Duncombe and Olly Lockton) edged a very well contested team competition from Wreake & Soar Valley (Archie Clarke, Jake Tyrrell and Ewan McKittrick) and Owls (Edward Orchard, Harry Campion and Charlie Allen).
Race 4: U20/Senior/Masters Women
The combined race was well contested, with the first four separated by less than twenty seconds. The overall County title went to Justine Anthony, adding to the 10K road title that she won in December after committing to her new county. Runner-up Emily Smith added another silver to the one she won in 2015, just holding off the challenge of the U20 gold medallist Emma Richards, with senior bronze medallist Hannah Seager close behind. U20 silver went to Katie Parker and bronze to Bethany Wallis. The Masters title was won by triathlete Clare Shea-Simonds, who added a gold to her county medal collection, with Kristie Matthiae taking silver and Clare McKittrick bronze.
Senior team gold was won by Charnwood (Hannah Seager, Ella Taylor and Elaine Seager) and silver went to Huncote (Gill Bland, Sarah Pegg and Sophie Cook). Wreake & Soar Valley (Laura Storer, Nicola McGlinchey and Claire Bryan) took Masters gold with Hinckley (Kelly Wilson, Karolina Bruska and Patricia Holland) in second and Desford (Linda Whitelegg, Jo Fluke and Amy Miller) third.
Race 5: U15 Girls
Shaikira King took victory in the U15 race as Wreake & Soar Valley swept the board. The English Schools 1500m champion was joined on the podium by Rebecca Van Aardt and Rosie Ashmore.
Race 6: U15 Boys
The U15 title went to William Ronald of Corby AC. Behind him, Seth Lawrance of Owls held off the late challenge of Coritanian’s Finlay Friedersdorff for silver. Owls strong showing gave them team gold (Seth Lawrance, Harry Rainbow and Alex Howard) ahead of Wreak & Soar (Joe Matthews, Josh Hatherley and Louie Paddison).
Race 7: U17 Men
Charlie Neece of Wreake & Soar Valley took a dominant victory but the battle for the remaining podium places was much closer fought, with three athletes in contention. At the end of 5km of racing, Joel Sharman of Race Rapid came away with silver and Lachlan Finch of Saffron AC the bronze. Daniel Van Aardt of Wreake & Soar Valley was the athlete to miss out, but he had the compensation of winning a team gold, alongside winner Neece and fifth place finisher Mackenzie Bloxham.
Race 8: U20/Senior/Masters Men
For Alastair Watson, victory was the only thing on his mind as he eschewed the safe option of entering as a Master. At the end of the first of three laps, he had a small lead over Tom Mahon. The Notts AC athlete made a decisive move during the subsequent lap and held almost a minute advantage at the line. Third over the line was international triathlete Tim Don who took a comfortable Masters Gold. Fourth to finish was U20 champion Adam Barber, with the Harborough AC man adding another gold to his growing collection of county medals. Pascal Bouttier-Butler took the Senior bronze and Tony Woodward Masters silver. Joseph O’Connell made it a Harborough 1,2 in the U20s, with Tom Hattee of Corby taking bronze. The final medal, the Masters bronze, came down to a contest between two evergreen county favourites, with Phil Critchlow of Beaumont eventually proving too strong for Charnwood’s Mark Couldwell.
Owls took senior team gold (Simon Allen, Luke Ingram, Scott Green, Bilal Farah and Lee O’Connor), continuing their dominance of the category. Tim Don lead a Barrow Runners team of Dan Robberts, Andy Simpson and Geoffrey Beetham to Masters gold, with Owls (Richard Wayman, Chris O’Neil, Craig Twigg and Russell Shute) taking silver and Race Hub (Duncan Shea-Simonds, Stephen Jelly, Nick Cook and Steve Doores) bronze.
2021 County 10K Road Race Championships: December 12th, 2021
Mallory Park hosted our final County Road Race Championships of 2021. The pattern of the race was soon established as the leading man and leading woman surged to race winning leads on the opening lap of six circuits. The Men’s race was dominated by Jordan Rowe (Thames Valley Harriers), a Loughborough resident, who had featured prominently in the European XC Trials at Liverpool just a fortnight earlier. Jordan stretched his lead throughout crossing the line in a time of 30 minutes & 41 seconds to clinch his inaugural Leicestershire & Rutland County title. Tony Woodward (Notts AC), fresh from a 2-24 top 20 finish at the London Marathon, took County Silver in 32-21. Close behind, Luke Ingram (OWLS AC) got the better of a fine tussle with David Robertson (Leicester Coritanian AC) to take the County Bronze in 32-48. The Masters Gold was secured by Fraser Harris (Hermitage Harriers) in 38-29; whilst Zach Spence (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) took the U20M Gold in 39-09. Zach has supported the vast majority of our County Championship events this year and should be commended for his persistence. The women’s race was once more poorly supported by County runners, leading to medals going spare. Justine Anthony (Cambridge & Coleridge AC), another Loughborough resident, took Gold with a dominant display clocking a more than respectable time of 37 minutes & 00 seconds. The only other County female finisher was Gracie-Rose Walters (Charnwood AC) who clocked 46-09 to claim the individual Silver and the U20W Gold. The County Association once more wish to extend our gratitude to the race organiser (Rob Osborn of Race Rapid) whose on-going support over the past two years has enabled us to offer both a 5K and 10K (2020 & 2021) Road Race Championships at this challenging time for the sport.
2021 County Road Race Championships: October 31st, 2021.
Wet and windy weather added an additional challenge to the Leicestershire & Rutland Road Race Championship events held on Sunday, October 31st.
County 5K Road Race Championships
At Mallory Park, the County 5K Road Race Championships featured within the day’s competitions organised by Race Rapid. The Men’s race came down to a sprint finish along the home straight with Adam Barber (Harborough AC) just holding off David Robertson (Leicester Coritanian AC) for the County title by less than a second with both clocking a highly respectable time of 15 minutes & 13 seconds in the prevailing conditions. Just two seconds down (15-15) Tom Mahon (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) took the individual Bronze. Adam also secured the Junior Men’s Gold, whilst Mark Powell (Leicester Coritanian AC) (16-31) was the leading Masters finisher. The Women’s race was by comparison more clear-cut with Stephanie Lawrie (Kettering Town Harriers AC) claiming the County title in a time of 18-24, with Isabella Wrightam (Wreake & Soar Valley AC) (19-40) and Gracie-Rose Walters (Charnwood AC) (21-39) claiming Silver & Bronze. Isabella also secured the Junior Women’s Gold. There were no finishers in the Masters Women category.
County Half-Marathon Championships
The County Half Marathon Road Race Championships were held within the Leicester Half-Marathon starting and finishing at Victoria Park, Leicester. Facing the worst of the day’s weather it was Leicester Coritanian AC’s Pascal Bouttier-Butler (74-27) that secured the County title, with the 22-year-old taking over 6 minutes from his previous best time. The remaining individual medals were claimed by Jason Barton (Stilton Striders) (76-46) and Gurmit Singh (78-44). Gurmit also claimed the Masters Gold with Toby Ward (Hinckley RC) (79-36) taking the Junior Gold. In the Women’s event the County medals were awarded to: Rebecca Randell (Shepshed RC) (82-48); Emily Hall (West End Runners) (90-22); and Sarah Horner (West End Runners) (92-02). The Women’s Masters Gold was awarded to Mika Mihell (Wigston Phoenix RC), who recorded a time of 98-54.
The County Association wish to extend our thanks to the organisers of the above events for so kindly hosting our Championships.
Recent Comments