We’ll start this weekly report with some high-quality action from Sefton Park in Liverpool for the British Athletics Cross Challenge, the selection race for the European Cross Country Championships. Pride of place goes to Isobelle Jones who placed 5th in the Junior Women’s race in 15.46, good enough to qualify to represent GB at the Euro Champs, a great performance after a disrupted 12 months. There was a win for her younger sister, Alba Jones in the U11 girls race in 7.22, Lila Pearce was 13th in 12.07 in the U13 girls race, Rocco Hawley placed 2nd in 10.39 and Seb Palmer was 21st in 11.24 in the U13 boys race, Noah Homer was 20th in 10.26 in the U15 boys event and Jack Stockton was 51st in the U17 mens race in 15.34.
There was some overseas action for members of the club in the Benidorm 10k where a large group travelled with some taking it far more seriously than others. Lucie Tait-Harris placed 113th and claimed 1st in her age group in 39.27, Greg Asbury was 166th in 41.12, Phil Evans was 222nd in 42.43 and 2nd in his age group, Keith Carter was 278th in 44.14, Simon Calrow was 303rd in 44.54, Dave Norman was 309th in 44.59, Anthony Pinson 416th in 47.24, Emily Simmonds 492nd in 48.52, Jo Lane 636th in 51.12, Vanessa Landreau-Barnes 640th in 51.14, Anna Moore was 731st in 52.42, Lee Partridge 994th in 56.05, Rob Challoner 1094th in 57.24, Carl Morgan was 1540th in 1.02.26 and Russ Blair was 1541st in 1.02.27. And over the half marathon distance Dave Newport was 181st in 1.29.22 and Carl James placed 195th in 1.29.53.
Our marathon man was on his own this week and in les exotic climes in Cheshire at the Oulton Park Running Grand Prix, obviously taking part in the marathon. Dave Joynson clocked 3.32.03 to place 18th and 1st in his age group.
And finally, we have received confirmation that Jon Hart has been called up to represent England in his age group over 10k on the back of his stellar performance in Brighton a week or so age. He will be pulling on an England vest in a race in Newcastle next summer.
Dave Norman
