STRATFORD-upon-Avon Athletic Club’s men’s and women’s cross country teams continued their respective seasons in freezing conditions.
The 12-strong women’s team headed to Aldersley Stadium in Wolverhampton, competing in the Midland League.
Stratford finished 13th out of 18 teams on the day meaning they will need two strong performances in the final races of the season to remain in Division One.
First home for Stratford was Charly Marshall (26:55) in 21st place and fourth junior with Olivia Robinson (27:39) just behind coming home as ninth junior in just her second full distance ladies race.
Next to finish was Emma Bexson (28:53) 20th master’s runner followed by Suzie Ross (32:07), Bronwen Mansel (33:17), Sarah Gillard (33:29) and Emma Vickers (33:50).
In hot pursuit were Emma Davis (35:51), Pip Bell (35:56), Emily Adams (36:32), Sam Swanepoel (40:40) and Kath Pester (40:53).
Elsewhere, competing in the Birmingham League, the 25-strong men’s team were on home soil at Clopton Park in foggy conditions.
Ned Campbell (36:17) led Stratford home in 17th place while Rich Shephard (37:57) fought his way through the field to finish second for the team in 36th place.
Just behind was Robin Hughes (37:58) in 37th place with Tom Cox (38.27) 43rd and seventh junior on his senior debut.
Moreover, the ever-reliable Matt Burdus-Cook (38:43) finished 53rd with first time runner Tom Southall (39:48) in 65th place, completing the club’s A team.
Meanwhile the next six runners made up the B team: Dave Teasdale (40:01) 66th, Drew Sambridge (41:26) 96th, Sam Mercer (41:36) 99th, Tim Hutchinson (42:07) 110th, Rob Gisbourne (42:50) 115th and Hue Crosweller (43:39) 124th.
Max Ross (44:04) sprinted to the line to finish 129th with Steve Batsford (44:28) 134th, Joe Lee (44:57) 140th and Damian Wheeler (45:29) 147th all working hard to earn points for Stratford.
The final six runners to finish were David Battersby (46:28) 158th, Chris Spriggs (46:46) 161st, Richard Erasmus (47:47) 171st, Mike Sheppard (48:38) 178th, Stuart George (50:30) 191st and also debutant Paul Bird (56:53) 204th.
