WITH the cross country season coming to an end, the Bromsgrove & Redditch Athletic Club senior ladies’ and men’s teams travelled to Tewkesbury on Saturday for the final Gloucester League cross country meeting at Tewkesbury High School.
The league consists of four fixtures, with medals given out to the best three athletes in each age group. This is achieved by competing in at least three of the four fixtures and your individual performances being added together (lowest being the best score).
The course was made up of school playing fields and farmers fields and the athletes were treated to thick and sticky mud, which proved to be a real test of strength and endurance.
The senior women’s team were off first, taking on a 7.4km course. Strong running from the ever-present Charlotte Ball (43th, 37:53) brought the team home and this earned her a gold medal in her age category overall (LV55).
Jane Anderson also fought hard and was next home for the ladies (50th, 40:18). Holly-Jane Smith completed the scoring team with a season-highest position of (77th, 43:19).
Absent from this fixture, Katy Anderson had done enough in the previous three fixtures to secure a silver medal in the age category (senior ladies).
With the senior ladies performing well, the senior men’s were next up, taking on a 10.3km course.
The senior men’s team were led home by Joe Smith (3rd, 36:32) who took bronze in his age category (senior men).
In the middle of some serious marathon training, Simon Lanckham found good form for his best position (17th, 39:50) of the season and was second back for the club, followed by his father Kevin Lanckham (40th, 42:22), which was also good enough for a bronze overall in his age category (MV45).
Andrew Freeman (43rd, 42:44), Dean Hartshorne (55th, 43:55) and Stephen Brooks (63rd, 44:22) completed the scoring six.
Other results: Ian Keyte (69th, 44:46); Jamie Dancyger (89th, 46:46); Phil Richardson (114th, 50:02); Phil Anderson (138th, 52:50); Len Quartly (155th, 56:50).
Phil Richardson received a bronze medal in his age category (SV55) and Len Quartly got silver in his age category (MV70). Absent from this fixture, Lewis Anderson also picked up bronze in his age category (MU20).
Unfortunately Matthew Henney, who started, had to pull out with an injury.
Next up for B&R is a trip to London for the National Cross Country at Parliament Hill on Saturday when all age groups will compete against the best athletes from around the country.
