STRATFORD Athletic Club was represented in seven races at the Midland Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park in Nottingham and finished the day with a host of superb performances to its name.
The highest placed finisher was Imogen Sheppard, who secured 17th position in the Under 13 Girls race with a dogged display.
Stratford’s six Under 13 Boys were covered by just over a minute, with Dion Love leading the way in impressive fashion.
For the Under 15 Girls, Jessica Sheppard and Edie Hutchinson both ran high quality races and it was always likely to be a close run thing between the two, whilst Hannah Bexson thrived on this testing course.
Oscar Barbour and Cadie Hibberd were SAC’s lone rangers in the U17 Men’s and U20 Women’s races respectively. Oscar keeps stepping up his performance level with each race that he runs, whilst Cadie is clearly reaping the rewards of her focus on endurance training.
In the Senior Women’s race, Emma Bexson and Debbie Edkins can be very pleased with their excellent finishing positions.
Tim Hutchinson has really started his club career with a bang. He followed up his marvellous run in the recent league fixture with a strong and controlled effort in this Senior Men’s race.
Richard Dobedoe worked hard and did his utmost to keep Tim in his sights but he was never completely happy on the uphill sections of the course.
Full Stratford results: U13 Girls – 3km: Imogen Sheppard – 17th, 12.36; Georgie Campbell – 28th, 12.54; Olivia Hall, 29th, 12.55; Charlotte Gravelsons – 92nd, 14.25; Charlie Johnson – 114th, 15.59.
U13 Boys – 3km: Dion Love – 57th, 12.16; Josh Angus – 63rd, 12.21; Archie Musk – 72nd, 12.32; Rowan Love – 81st, 12.41; Adam Pomeroy – 96th, 13.12; James Bexson – 104th, 13.31.
U15 Boys – 4km: Jessica Sheppard – 73rd, 17.41; Edie Hutchinson – 75th, 17.46; Hannah Bexson – 102nd, 20.13.
Under 17 Men – 6km: Oscar Barbour – 55th, 23.35.
U20 Women – 5km: Cadie Hibberd – 23rd, 24.38.
Senior Women – 8km: Emma Bexson – 78th, 35.16; Debbie Edkins – 229th, 45.27.
Senior Men – 12km: Tim Hutchinson – 152nd, 45.57; Richard Dobedoe – 228th, 48.51; David Smyth – 287th, 51.17; Mike Sheppard – 311th, 52.21; Paul Jefferies – 352nd, 54.43; Brian Gravelsons – 410th, 59.22; Phil Marshall – 415th, 59.41; Larry Coltman – 436th, 1:03.39.
THE FOURTH race in the Tempo Events Winter Series of 10km races attracted 24 Stratford AC runners to test themselves on the hilly terrain in and around Ilmington on Sunday.
This is one of a series of five 10km races held on roads and lanes near Ilmington during the winter months.
Kate Wright added another 1st Woman prize to her collection. First of the club’s men to finish was Graham Taylor, who showed his versatility with a classy demonstration of pace judgement.
Full Stratford results: Kate Wright (7th, 40.23); Graham Taylor (10th, 40.40); Sarah Wheeler (11th, 41.29); Phil Howell (17th, 42.48); Robin Kindersley (23rd, 43.57); David Smyth (26th, 45.00); Alan Coley-Smith (29th, 45.17); Mark Newman (40th, 46.43); David Jones (68th, 49.37); Anthony Howell (82nd, 51.05); Luke Watkins (85th, 51.19); Phil Brennan (88th, 51.37); Lesley Kirk (90th, 51.41); Anna Watson (95th, 52.52); Chris Whately (120th, 55.10); Dave Maundrell (124th, 56.04); Maureen Birch (128th, 56.24); Allan Coldicott (165th, 59.54); Kate Sergent (199th, 1:03.35); Martyn Sergent (209th, 1:05.12); Marie Fitzgerald (222nd, 1:07.47); Victoria Jeffs (226th, 1:08.15); Natasha Watkins (231st, 1:09.38); John Butler (249th, 1:13.44).
Highlights: Kate Wright 1st female and 1st FV45; Sarah Wheeler 2nd female and 1st FV35; Lesley Kirk 1st FV55; Graham Taylor 1st MV45; Robin Kindersley 1st MV55; David Jones 1st MV65.
Women’s winner Kate Wright halfway down Larkstoke Hill in the Tempo Events race on Sunday. Picture by Barry Cornelius (www.oxonraces.com).
