Outstanding Performances at National XC Relays
Record team turnout and Ladies storm to Bronze Medal
Rugby & Northampton AC’s Young Athletes travelled to Mansfield to take part in the English Cross Country Association National XC relays.
The event which involves teams of three running separate legs over a testing cross country course is both challenging and provides an opportunity to compete against the top athletes from around the country, including many international capped juniors.
R&N AC entered 12 teams across the junior age groups, reflecting a mix of experience and new athletes, consequently the start lines and change over areas were filled with both nerves and expectation for each race.
The results were outstanding with the club achieving 3 teams placed in the top twenty and the first ever medals for the club at this event. Team Director George Jones was delighted “An excellent turn out and some brilliant performances from all teams”
The U15 Boys were first out on the course along with 86 other teams to entertain the large number of supporters who had made the trip. Team A: Logan Roberts, James Smith & Ben Jennings Team B: Luke Greer, Michael Inwood & Joe Lantsbury fought their way through the masses of runners to finish in 36th and 80th team spots respectively.
The U15 Girls, Sarah Bennett & Megan Love unfortunately lined up a team member short due to illness, however still entered into the spirit of the competition with newcomer Sarah improving with every race.
The U13 Girls were in abundance with three teams entered and Team C; Katie Clubb (8mins 21 secs), Phoebe Ellis (8 mins 9 secs) & Charlotte Murphy (8 mins 15 secs) produced the first top twenty finish of the day, 16th, with outstanding runs in an extremely competitive field of 80 teams. Team A; Alison Inwood, Rebecca Shears & Isobel Hughes were not far behind in 29th and Team B; Maddie Spellman, Emily Byrd & Ciara Moore showed true determination to finish 53rd.
The U13 Boys A team Billy Bowman-Shaw (7mins 20 secs), Nathan Groves (7mins, 23secs) & Jack Murphy (7mins 30 secs) were determined not to be outdone and notched up the second top twenty finish, 19th out of 74 teams. The less experienced B team, James Miller, Ben Musgrove & Harry Dominy fought hard to finish 64th.
The U17W lined up with the A team hopeful of a top ten finish and did not disappoint putting in outstanding individual performances to take the team bronze medal in style. Charlotte Inwood (9mins 21secs), Gabriella Moriarty (9 mins 31 secs) & Emily Waugh (9mins 12 secs) stormed around the course crossing the line to cheers (and a few tears of joy) from supporters. Team Manager Andy Byrd enthused “These ladies are definitely among the best in the country, proving the club is a growing strength in National Athletics”. With strength in depth the B team; Eleanor Barnes, Emma McGowan & Briony Banks showed determination to finish a very creditable 28th.
The U17M fielded two teams to cover the 3 x 3k course and came close to achieving another top twenty performance with Team A; Luke Robinson (10 mins 23 secs), Conor Hills (10 mins 19 secs) & Rory Grant (9mins 55 secs) putting in tremendous finishes to cross the line in 24th position. The young Team B; Robert Male, Danny Wardle & Kieran Garlick showed future potential to finish in 44th place.
George Jones concluded “ A big thank you to all athletes, coaches, team managers and supporters for making it a day to remember”.
