National Cross Country Relays - Sat 5th Nov
Lamb leads the way at Mansfield
Chris Lamb set himself up for the first Birmingham League race with an excellent run in the Mens National Cross Country Relays held at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield. The Rugby & Northampton athlete ran the fastest leg for the club over a boggy 5k course, which included a few twist and turns through a wooded area.
Lamb recorded a time of 17 mins 43 secs on the opening leg and this gives the current Midland indoor 800m champion confidence going into this weekends first League race.
Also in the four man team was former World Masters 800m champion John Gercs who was back in action after a lengthy lay off and he ran the second fastest for R&N on leg two with 18.40.
Terry Egan was competing in the event for the first time in 11 years and he recorded a respectable 20.47 to hand over to the reigning club cross country champion Paul Birch who made up eight places with a time of 18.50 to bring the team home in 73rd place.
The Men also had a B team taking part and John Hurst had a good run when he was timed at 20.28 on leg one and handed over to Brendan Moen who was the fastest in the team when he advanced 23 places with a time of 19.55. Another club stalwart Brian Summers recorded 21.07 and Neil Willsher closed off the team with 21.15 in 110th spot.
The Senior Ladies ran over a 3k course and the R&N team finished in 69th place with all three athletes very closely matched on the day. Michelle Leach started the ball rolling with her 13.27 and then came Louise Thompson with 13.22 to move up 19 places and Rachel Shaw on the anchor leg recorded 13.28 to take another six places.
The opening race in the Birmingham Cross Country League Division Two takes place on Saturday for Rugby & Northampton’s Men at Leamington and after last seasons relegation they are hoping for a quick return to the top flight. Joining Chris Lamb and Paul Birch in the team should be Stuart Nelson, Rory Grant, Luke Robinson and Chris Perez. The Ladies also run their first Midland League at the same venue and will be relying on club champion Jo Pulsford to make an appearance along with Maree Jesson and Angela Copson.
