SATURDAY saw a number of Bromsgrove & Redditch Athletic Club members representing Worcestershire at Cofton Park in Birmingham – which was the venue for the UK Inter-Counties Championships – which also included the World Cross Country Trials.
Athletes from across the UK earned the right to compete in this prestigious event by placing highly in their respective County Championships in January.
Recent dry weather meant the ground was much firmer in comparison to the heavier conditions experienced earlier in the year. The course, however, was tough and undulating, making the races testing for all athletes.
The best B&R individual and team performance of the day was in the U15 girls’ race. A talented trio of B&R athletes – Ellen Bowen (91st), Alice Battey (114th) and Amy Mijovic-Couldwell (139th) – helped Worcestershire secure a tenth placed finish out of the 41 counties.
Other B&R athletes competed strongly for Worcestershire, with final placings as follows: U13 Girls – Anna Nicod (210th); U13 Boys – Alex Roberts (284th); U15 Boys – Gareth Richardson (148th); U17 Women – Ruth Gameson (210th); U20 Women (6km) – Orianna Ball (133th); U20 Men – Lewis Anderson (181st); Senior Women – Tamara Ball (200th); Senior Men (12km) – Joe Smith (262nd), Simon Lanckham (263rd).
Selected B&R youngsters will compete in the English Schools Cross Country Championships this coming weekend in Lancashire. Next up for the seniors is the Midland 12 and 6 stage road relays on March 28.
