THE BRITISH Universities & Colleges Sport Cross Country Championships were held at Graves Park in Sheffield where the record entry of 1,991 students from across the UK included three from Stratford Athletic Club.
There were three races – a men’s long course and short course and the women’s race – all of them over tough, hilly courses including a treacherous mud slide and hurdles over bales just to break up any rhythm the runners may have had.
Pride of place for Stratford went to Alice Reed, running in Nottingham colours, who ran a typically consistent, even-paced run in the women’s 7.38km race to finish in 28.39 (80th). Alice was pleased to be first home for her team.
A little further back representing Cardiff was Cadie Hibberd (431st/37.01) who said afterwards how much she enjoyed the race and had given everything.
In the men’s short course race (8.18km), Matt Bayliss, running for Kent University, raced for the first time this season and found the going tough but should be pleased with his time of 39:13 to finish in the middle of the field.
