Following on swiftly from the high of the previous day’s Senior Fell Relay victory, P&B were back in action at the first of the West Yorkshire Cross Country races. In a return to Spring temperatures, the unseasonably warm weather was an unexpected challenge on the day. The course laps were short but interesting on a tour of what I’m told was Spenborough’s premier Golf Course!
Thanks to Spenborough AC for hosting a great event which was well organised and marshalled.
Well done to everyone who turned out and raced hard on a fast and furious cross-country course. There was no mud and I think most spikes were cleaner at the end of the race than at the start. So, to the performances:
Malerie Samuel was the best placed P&B athlete in the U11 girls race, finishing 32nd overall. Esther Umoru (57th) and Eve Muirhead (59th) and Lydia Kelsey (74th) completed the team to finish in 11th overall. Rivals, Ilkley, finished just 23 points ahead so at the next race, a top 10 finish is possible. Great work and keep those Ilkley vests in sight at the next race.
In the U11 Boys, Thomas Martin had a strong run to finish in 18th Place overall. Next across the line was Uzair Khalid in 33rd.
The U13 Girls were led home by Charley Fennell in 67th place. Together with Emelia Jamieson (70th) and Molly Enever (75th) they finished in 11th position in the team competition.
Next up was the U13 Boys. Ben Simenton finished 57th with Reuben Shamin only 30 seconds behind in 62nd Place.
Jacob Roberts battled round the U15 Boys course and finished in 27th overall. With a tightly packed group only a 16 second gap separated him from 24th. So there is plenty of targets to aim for in the next race.
Well done to the ladies, finishing in 5th Place in the team event behind York Knavesmire, Holmfirth, Bingley and Skyrac. Rachel Pilling led the charge with a fantastic 9th place and backed up by Claire Green (21st), Suzie Sharman (63rd), Steph Wilson (67th), Caroline Harding (74th) and our newest member, Megan Clarke (77th). With only 13 points separating from 4th place, Skyrac are the target for the next race.
In the mens, Neil Armitage, coolly started at the back and worked his way through to finish in 49th place. Next up was Niall Bourke (67th), Graham Pilling (82nd) and Scott Alder (85th). Unfortunately we failed to place a team.
Next up is Nunroyd Park on the 4th of November. What conditions we will face will be anyone’s guess as the course can turn from solid to soft in a few days. Keep an eye on the weather!
Keep up the training. We’ve had a good start to the season and everyone should have a good idea of what their fitness is like, who their closest rivals are and more importantly develop a good benchmark to work from over the season.
Thanks to Dave & Eileen of Woodentops for the photos.