Senior Men : Birmingham XC League Division 1, Leamington
Jacob Allen became the first Rugby & Northampton athlete to clinch a top five place in division 1 of the Mens Birmingham Cross Country League when the opening race of the season was held at Leamington’s Newbold Comyn. The 10k course, which features a steep hill and a water filled ditch saw Allen, 19, finish in 4th place with a time of 36.11, but at one point was challenging for second behind winner Weynay Ghebresilasie, the Eritrean Junior from Birchfield Harriers.
Allen had back up from a strong R&N team, which placed 9th from the 16 clubs and improving from last years 50th spot was Seb Palmer who covered the muddy course in 38.30 to cross the line in 42nd position. Making his league debut after graduating from Sheffield University was Robert Gardner and his solid performance in 63rd place with 39.36 gave him a target to build on for the next race. Hywel Davies was the fourth athlete over the line in 73rd spot with 40.06 and was followed by Chris Lamb in 95th on 40.55. Completing the scoring six was Junior Robert Male who recorded 41.19 for 101st place.
R&N showed their strength in depth when the B team finished in 6th place and were led home by the first M40 veteran from the club John Gercs in 109th spot. In his first league race for two years the 44 year old club President recorded 41.35 to see off the challenge of fellow veteran Brendan Moen who was 12 seconds behind in 113th. Although defending club champion Chris Perez wasn’t in the form he showed last season he nevertheless still turned out for his club to finish 147th ( 43.16 ). The B team was closed off by three former club champions with Vince Carroll ( 158th in 43.44 ), Paul Birch ( 159th in 43.48 ) and Terry Egan ( 212th in 46.19 ).
Six more runners negotiated the course to make a third team with Max Chippington being timed at 47.48 for 239th and newcomer to the club David Brooks coming home in 243rd with 48.19. Aaron Lincoln and Colin Durrant finished 261st and 263rd respectively with 49.42 and 49.56, followed by two league debutants Richard Franklin ( 280th in 53.40 ) and Adrian Hodson ( 288th in 57.01 ).
Senior Women : Midland Womens XC League, Leamington
The first Midland Womens Cross Country League also took place at Leamington and from a field of 290 runners Rugby & Northampton’s Emily Waugh finished in 15th place. She covered the 4 mile course around Newbold Comyn in 29 mins 9 secs and led home five athletes from the club,which helped the Senior team to 19th spot.
17 year old Tilly Lea was the next athlete home in 121st position with 35.16 and completing the team was fellow Junior athlete Clarissa Blake on 35.25 for 126th. Veteran Susan Lawrence followed ( 134th in 35.57 ) and another first year Junior Eden Bates recorded 36.03 in 136th spot.
