West Midlands Young Athletes XC – Race 5
R&N AC Juniors Retain XC Champions Title
Perry Park 6th March, 2011
Perry Park, Birmingham, was the venue for the final WMYACCL Race, March 6th 2011. A tough course, with mild conditions, created the perfect cross country experience. After gutsy performances in previous races, all athletes excelled in this race.
The highlights included Georgia Willix, eighth in the U11 Girls race, solidifying her claim as the third best cross country runner in the West Midlands. In the U15 girls Bethan Goddard and Becky Pinto ran a great race coming fifth and sixth respectively. The U11 boys saw Joshua Lay come 2nd, beating most of the top six placed runners in the overall standings. In an exciting U15 boys race George Goodwin and Jack Murphy battled it out for second and third, with Goodwin pipping Murphy to the post, claiming third in the overall standings. In a tough U17 men’s race Jacob Allen ran the best race of his season coming sixth. We say goodbye to our top age athletes who will be too old to run in the league next year, wishing them good luck as they progress to the gruelling U20’s distances.
The tension only built after the races as the athletes headed for the Alexander Stadium for the overall awards ceremony, who was to be crowned as WMYACCL Champions?
If you had asked me five months back who has the best youth cross-country team in the West Midlands I would have said Birchfield Harriers. They have the best funding, best facilities and top class coaching. Ask me the same question five months on and you’d get one definite answer, Rugby & Northampton – West Midlands Young Athletes Cross Country League Champions 2011. Out of five races, R&N won five.
All the teams finished in the top 3 places with the U11 Boys, U13 Girls, U15 Boys and U15 Girls taking top honours with gold team medals.
So if money doesn’t create success, what does?
Teamwork is the key. The team spirit and determination the club has is phenomenal, whether it be from the parents, coaches or athletes themselves. The chemistry between coach and athlete, parent and coach is what drives R&N to victory, and without this spirit the club wouldn’t be where it is today. Coaches with the athletes set the goals, team managers give the runners a good kick up the backside, and the athletes do the dirty work (literally).
By Sam Turnell
‘A huge congratulations to each and every athlete who took part in the West Mids XC league this year and as we maintained our position as the top XC in the Midlands by retaining the title we deservedly won last year. It has been a fantastic XC season and it has been a pleasure to be associated with you all throughout the series of races.’ – Ruth Waugh
