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19th February 2011
Jonny and Ben on song at Alton Towers for the Nationals!!!
Reading
Athletic Club made their way to Alton Towers theme park this past Saturday to contest the National Cross Country Championships.
Ran adjacent to the theme park, it proved one of the most challenging and difficult courses ever tackled by the athletes. The course was challenging anyway with an undulating top field and a very long bottom field that included a very tough uphill climb, however the conditions were made so much more tougher with the entire field a total mud bath and in some places, with water laying up to a foot deep for stretches of 15-20m. This in itself caused delays and alterations to later races. That wasn't to deter however from some very impressive performances by Reading Athletes.
Male Report
Jonathan Davies and Ben Priddle stole the show as far as the club were concerned. Both placed inside the top 10 of their respective races. For Jonathan it continues his recent superb run of form since the turn of the year. In the U17 men's race he gave a sterling account and pushed hard towards the finishing line to secure a superb 8th place finish in a time of 24.18. Perhaps the most surprising and indeed more pleasing was the performance of Ben Priddle, whose form going into the race suggested he might do well, but certainly not within the top 10. However Ben showed great maturity as he got away with the leaders from the gun - and never looked back! He undoubtedly produced his best performance in a club vest as he finished a superb 9th in the U15 boys race.
Elsewhere on the day, Alex Bow and Ed Stockdale also tackled the U17 men's race. Alex seemingly enjoying the tough muddy conditions, as he gave a much better performance to finish 196th. Ed, a regular in the team, battled round the course and finished up with a position of 226th. Nathan Meredith joined Ben in the U15 race, Nathan enjoyed a solid effort and finished the race in 163rd place.
4 Senior men tackled the final race of the day, when the course was at its most muddiest and wettest, churned up by the preceeding 9 races. 1302 athletes competed the gruelling course and Reading's Carl Bradbury finished a very good 116th, Carl will be pleased with his effort as he got stuck in on the challengin course and he finished up with a time of 40.18. Team Captain Richard Kinnersley will have enjoyed the challenege of the race and he was the next club runner home with a 276th finish in 43.37. Darren Stevens was the 3rd Reading vest home, as he finished in 444th in a time of 46.42, whilst Luke McAra, who is becoming a regular of the team now, crossed the line in a time of 49.55, earning him 660th position.
Female Report
The u17 ladies were first up and their preparations were hampered as the team only arrived 30 minutes before the race due to being stuck in traffic through the narrow roads leading to the car park. However the 4 girls kept their cool and did their best to prepare best they could. They soon got away on a tough 5k course. It was again Cerys Aicken who led the girls home with a very strong performance, she moved through the field well and was first Reading girl back in 82nd position. Beki Taylor was next home in 121st with club mate Rosie Bishop in hot pursuit just 7 places back in 128th. Whilst Emma Taylor, despite a fall during the race, finished in 203rd to give the girls 15th in the team standings.
Immediately after the U20 ladies were set on their way over a 6k course that incorporated 2 loops of the tough, hilly bottom field. Anna Boniface continues to impress since her return this year and she again was the first club runner home in a very good 66th position. Hayleigh Wood and Hayley Randell had quite a tussle between them, exchanging places over the course but it was Wood who eventually got the better, finishing up in 86th, with Randell continuing her good form of last week, by taking 90th place.
The U13 girls were next up. Where Hannah Willis was to produce one of the performances of the day. In her first year as an U13 she showed she is developing nicely and she produced her best performance in a Reading vest to date. Getting away early with the leading pack, she looked stronger as the race went on and she held on for a brilliant 40th place finish from a field of 366. Georgia Walton was next home, as she regains full fitness, she finished 162nd whilst Lois Meredith took 272nd place.
The U15 girls were next up and the course was now beginning to deteriorate further. Due for a 1pm start their preparations were severely hampered. Warmed up and ready to go with 5 minutes until race time they were told there was to be a 15 minute delay. Ten minutes later the girls were stripped, ready to race and in the starting pen only to then be told a further ten minute delay was to follow. 25 minutes later the race was underway but it soon became clear the course had changed dramatically by about 1.5km, which the officials had failed to inform the majority of athletes, who were expecting a 4k race but were to find themselves finishing before they knew it. However the girls still made a decent account despite that.
Mollie Haines led them home with a 130th place finish. Katherine West was 2nd club runner home in 236th position with Ella Saunders just 2 places back on 238th. Lauren Herrington completed the scoring quartet as she finished up in 261st place to give the girls 30th team place. Outside the scoring team was Charlotte Moore who finished just 4 seconds behind in 262nd. Alice Milsom sprained her ankle during the race and finished 281st. Whilst Abi Froud finished 312nd.
To end the day the senior ladies were up and fortunately had a 10 minute delay, whilst also having their course shortened to 6k from the original 8k.
For the women the day belonged to Nicky Cooke who produced her best race for the club with an impressive performance. Whilst some struggled on the hilly and ankle deep mud, Nicky was the opposite and looked at ease and seemingly enjoying the tough conditions. She showed some strong running on the 2nd and 3rd laps resulting in her leading the team home for the first time with a 154th finish from a field of 560 finishers.
Rachel Phillips was the 2nd vest home as she finished inside the top 200 crossing the line in 166th place. Debbie Taylor gave a good account as she crossed the line in 253rd place whilst Hayley Pearce wrapped up the scoring with a top 300 finish with 298th to give the ladies 30th in the team standings. Charlotte Phillips was the 5th Reading runner and finished up in 388th.
All those who travelled and competed must be commended on one of the toughest courses and conditions for a while.
Ran adjacent to the theme park, it proved one of the most challenging and difficult courses ever tackled by the athletes. The course was challenging anyway with an undulating top field and a very long bottom field that included a very tough uphill climb, however the conditions were made so much more tougher with the entire field a total mud bath and in some places, with water laying up to a foot deep for stretches of 15-20m. This in itself caused delays and alterations to later races. That wasn't to deter however from some very impressive performances by Reading Athletes.
Male Report
Jonathan Davies and Ben Priddle stole the show as far as the club were concerned. Both placed inside the top 10 of their respective races. For Jonathan it continues his recent superb run of form since the turn of the year. In the U17 men's race he gave a sterling account and pushed hard towards the finishing line to secure a superb 8th place finish in a time of 24.18. Perhaps the most surprising and indeed more pleasing was the performance of Ben Priddle, whose form going into the race suggested he might do well, but certainly not within the top 10. However Ben showed great maturity as he got away with the leaders from the gun - and never looked back! He undoubtedly produced his best performance in a club vest as he finished a superb 9th in the U15 boys race.
Elsewhere on the day, Alex Bow and Ed Stockdale also tackled the U17 men's race. Alex seemingly enjoying the tough muddy conditions, as he gave a much better performance to finish 196th. Ed, a regular in the team, battled round the course and finished up with a position of 226th. Nathan Meredith joined Ben in the U15 race, Nathan enjoyed a solid effort and finished the race in 163rd place.
4 Senior men tackled the final race of the day, when the course was at its most muddiest and wettest, churned up by the preceeding 9 races. 1302 athletes competed the gruelling course and Reading's Carl Bradbury finished a very good 116th, Carl will be pleased with his effort as he got stuck in on the challengin course and he finished up with a time of 40.18. Team Captain Richard Kinnersley will have enjoyed the challenege of the race and he was the next club runner home with a 276th finish in 43.37. Darren Stevens was the 3rd Reading vest home, as he finished in 444th in a time of 46.42, whilst Luke McAra, who is becoming a regular of the team now, crossed the line in a time of 49.55, earning him 660th position.
Female Report
The u17 ladies were first up and their preparations were hampered as the team only arrived 30 minutes before the race due to being stuck in traffic through the narrow roads leading to the car park. However the 4 girls kept their cool and did their best to prepare best they could. They soon got away on a tough 5k course. It was again Cerys Aicken who led the girls home with a very strong performance, she moved through the field well and was first Reading girl back in 82nd position. Beki Taylor was next home in 121st with club mate Rosie Bishop in hot pursuit just 7 places back in 128th. Whilst Emma Taylor, despite a fall during the race, finished in 203rd to give the girls 15th in the team standings.
Immediately after the U20 ladies were set on their way over a 6k course that incorporated 2 loops of the tough, hilly bottom field. Anna Boniface continues to impress since her return this year and she again was the first club runner home in a very good 66th position. Hayleigh Wood and Hayley Randell had quite a tussle between them, exchanging places over the course but it was Wood who eventually got the better, finishing up in 86th, with Randell continuing her good form of last week, by taking 90th place.
The U13 girls were next up. Where Hannah Willis was to produce one of the performances of the day. In her first year as an U13 she showed she is developing nicely and she produced her best performance in a Reading vest to date. Getting away early with the leading pack, she looked stronger as the race went on and she held on for a brilliant 40th place finish from a field of 366. Georgia Walton was next home, as she regains full fitness, she finished 162nd whilst Lois Meredith took 272nd place.
The U15 girls were next up and the course was now beginning to deteriorate further. Due for a 1pm start their preparations were severely hampered. Warmed up and ready to go with 5 minutes until race time they were told there was to be a 15 minute delay. Ten minutes later the girls were stripped, ready to race and in the starting pen only to then be told a further ten minute delay was to follow. 25 minutes later the race was underway but it soon became clear the course had changed dramatically by about 1.5km, which the officials had failed to inform the majority of athletes, who were expecting a 4k race but were to find themselves finishing before they knew it. However the girls still made a decent account despite that.
Mollie Haines led them home with a 130th place finish. Katherine West was 2nd club runner home in 236th position with Ella Saunders just 2 places back on 238th. Lauren Herrington completed the scoring quartet as she finished up in 261st place to give the girls 30th team place. Outside the scoring team was Charlotte Moore who finished just 4 seconds behind in 262nd. Alice Milsom sprained her ankle during the race and finished 281st. Whilst Abi Froud finished 312nd.
To end the day the senior ladies were up and fortunately had a 10 minute delay, whilst also having their course shortened to 6k from the original 8k.
For the women the day belonged to Nicky Cooke who produced her best race for the club with an impressive performance. Whilst some struggled on the hilly and ankle deep mud, Nicky was the opposite and looked at ease and seemingly enjoying the tough conditions. She showed some strong running on the 2nd and 3rd laps resulting in her leading the team home for the first time with a 154th finish from a field of 560 finishers.
Rachel Phillips was the 2nd vest home as she finished inside the top 200 crossing the line in 166th place. Debbie Taylor gave a good account as she crossed the line in 253rd place whilst Hayley Pearce wrapped up the scoring with a top 300 finish with 298th to give the ladies 30th in the team standings. Charlotte Phillips was the 5th Reading runner and finished up in 388th.
All those who travelled and competed must be commended on one of the toughest courses and conditions for a while.
12th February 2011
Salisbury Hampshire League ends on a high!!
Reading Ac ended their 2010/2011 Hampshire Cross Country league campaign this past Saturday as they
travelled to Hudson's field, Salisbury. For the vast majority it was the perfect warm up in preperation for the National
Championships this coming weekend, to be held at Alton Towers.
Female Report
The female side in particular really florished. Enjoying their best set of results across the 4 age groups. The senior ladies were again at the solid, good, consistant best, but it was the younger age groups who also caught the eye, producing some vast improvements in form, resulting in many gaining their best league positions of the season.
The day began with the U13 girls as usual and it was Hannah Willis that typified the re-newed spirit and confidence of the Reading youngsters, she was a lot more confident from the gun and got stuck in with the leading pack, Hannah continued to battle and her result was to finish her highest place this season of 6th. Katie Holt's terrific run of recent form continued, she too is showing a huge deal on confidence in her own ability and she too was rewarded with her best league finish so far, with 10th. Georgia Walton continues to regain her form and her 12th place signalled that. This was good enough for the girls to claim their best team finish of the season with 3rd, helping them to finish the league 4th overall. Outside the scoring, Lois Meredith posted a decent race, placing 22nd, with the ever improving Kate McKim just seconds back in 23rd. Lauren Church was next in 28th, whilst Sophia Mann, making her cross country debut, impressed when taking 32nd with young Charlotte West rounding things up in 36th.
The U15 girls also produced a solid outing and despite missing a few key runners, still placed very well. Infact during the course of the race, 5 different girls occupied the 3 scoring slots. Ella Saunders was struggling for form at the tail end of 2010, largely down to a drawn out virus she had, but she has bounced back superbly and the confidence is now flowing again, she rightly led the girls home with her best league finish of 15th. Katherine West was impressive with her start, showing good intentions, she held on to claim 18th position. The third scoring slot eventually went to Alice Milsom, who is rapidly making huge strides to return to the form she is capable of, having worked hard the past few months, her efforts are being rewarded, she looked a totally different runner at times and will rightly be delighted with making the scoring team of 3, in 20th position. This secured the girls 4th on the day and to their delight, earned them the bronze medals overall at the end of season awards. Just missing out on a scoring slot was Lauren Herrington, who ran well to finish 21st, depsite having missed alot of endurance work during the winter due to injuries, which look to be finally clearing up. Lottie Moore was also impressive in her confident start and although she was disapointed to have dropped off during the race, if she continues with that same attitude, it wont be long before she is another 6-10 places higher, she finished 24th. Andi Vietz was next in 26th, with Emily Stone and Abi Froud rounding things up.
The U17 ladies again produced a good performance, with the scoring 3 inside the top 10. Cerys Aicken again got the better of clubmate Beki Taylor, as Cerys, despite suffering from a bad stich in the final 600m, held on for 5th place. Beki hot on her heels in 6th position, whilst Emma Taylor wrapped things up for the team in 9th, giving them 2nd on the day, earning them 2nd in the overall standings. Becky Mrowiec also ran and was 12th.
Louise Bardsley yet again led the Reading ladies home with a solid effort, this time holding on at the end to cross the line in a good 5th position. Rachel Phillips is finding some terrific end of season form and did so again on Saturday, a lot more involved in the early stages of the race, Rachel gained her best league finish of 7th on Saturday, whilst the experienced Sue Francis, used her vast experience of racing to show her younger counter parts a clean pair of heels to finish a really good 13th position, that was also good enough for 5th vet on the day. This gave the team 3rd on the day and saw them finish 4th overall.
Sarah Wilkins first Hampshire league race of the season saw her finish in 16th position, 2 places ahead of Nicky Cooke in 18th. Anna Boniface claimed 5th in the U20 category, with her 23rd place finish overall, whilst Hayley Pearce continues to put some good form together with 27th place. Hayley Randell will certainly be happy with a much improved effort, she looked more like her old self with a solid 34th, whilst Charlotte Phillips continues her impressive improvement with a 40th place finish.
The end of season individual awards saw Julia Henderson win the U20 category, Louise Bardsley take 4th senior and Sue Francis 4th veteran.
It proved the perfect platform for the Nationals the following weekend and no doubt many will take that confidence from Saturday into next weekend.
Male Report
The male side gained some good individual positions from the day, but were worryingly short of numbers, only fielding 2 teams on the day. Carl Bradbury however enjoyed another solid effort for the club as he raced round the 9.1k course to come back a very strong 6th position. U20 David Lewis gained 2nd in his section on the day with his 17th place finish, also eanring bronze in the overall U20 standing's. Darren Stevens was the club's third scorer, as he crossed the line in 44th position. Steve Bond and Luke McAra had quite a tussle between them and it was Steve who got the better as he finished 60th, with Luke completing the team in 61st place, giving the men 6th on the day to end the season 4th overall. Andy McDonald also ran and finished in 73rd.
Only 2 U17 men faced the starter and meant an incomplete team followed, but Ed Stockdale will have been pleased with his 11th placed finish, with club mate Alex Bow finishing in 16th position.
Ben Priddle was the pick of the young male performers as he finished a very good 8th in the U15 boys race, setting him up nicely for the Nationals the following weekend. Nathan Meredith enjoyed another good performance, he finished his best placing of the season with 17th, whilst Arun Dance completed the scoring trio with a 41st place finish which saw the lads take 7th on the day.
The U13 boys only had 2 in action also, meaning they too were incomplete. Ben Corless was the first one home in 19th position, with club mate Michael Lennon enjoying a good effort to finish 21st.
Female Report
The female side in particular really florished. Enjoying their best set of results across the 4 age groups. The senior ladies were again at the solid, good, consistant best, but it was the younger age groups who also caught the eye, producing some vast improvements in form, resulting in many gaining their best league positions of the season.
The day began with the U13 girls as usual and it was Hannah Willis that typified the re-newed spirit and confidence of the Reading youngsters, she was a lot more confident from the gun and got stuck in with the leading pack, Hannah continued to battle and her result was to finish her highest place this season of 6th. Katie Holt's terrific run of recent form continued, she too is showing a huge deal on confidence in her own ability and she too was rewarded with her best league finish so far, with 10th. Georgia Walton continues to regain her form and her 12th place signalled that. This was good enough for the girls to claim their best team finish of the season with 3rd, helping them to finish the league 4th overall. Outside the scoring, Lois Meredith posted a decent race, placing 22nd, with the ever improving Kate McKim just seconds back in 23rd. Lauren Church was next in 28th, whilst Sophia Mann, making her cross country debut, impressed when taking 32nd with young Charlotte West rounding things up in 36th.
The U15 girls also produced a solid outing and despite missing a few key runners, still placed very well. Infact during the course of the race, 5 different girls occupied the 3 scoring slots. Ella Saunders was struggling for form at the tail end of 2010, largely down to a drawn out virus she had, but she has bounced back superbly and the confidence is now flowing again, she rightly led the girls home with her best league finish of 15th. Katherine West was impressive with her start, showing good intentions, she held on to claim 18th position. The third scoring slot eventually went to Alice Milsom, who is rapidly making huge strides to return to the form she is capable of, having worked hard the past few months, her efforts are being rewarded, she looked a totally different runner at times and will rightly be delighted with making the scoring team of 3, in 20th position. This secured the girls 4th on the day and to their delight, earned them the bronze medals overall at the end of season awards. Just missing out on a scoring slot was Lauren Herrington, who ran well to finish 21st, depsite having missed alot of endurance work during the winter due to injuries, which look to be finally clearing up. Lottie Moore was also impressive in her confident start and although she was disapointed to have dropped off during the race, if she continues with that same attitude, it wont be long before she is another 6-10 places higher, she finished 24th. Andi Vietz was next in 26th, with Emily Stone and Abi Froud rounding things up.
The U17 ladies again produced a good performance, with the scoring 3 inside the top 10. Cerys Aicken again got the better of clubmate Beki Taylor, as Cerys, despite suffering from a bad stich in the final 600m, held on for 5th place. Beki hot on her heels in 6th position, whilst Emma Taylor wrapped things up for the team in 9th, giving them 2nd on the day, earning them 2nd in the overall standings. Becky Mrowiec also ran and was 12th.
Louise Bardsley yet again led the Reading ladies home with a solid effort, this time holding on at the end to cross the line in a good 5th position. Rachel Phillips is finding some terrific end of season form and did so again on Saturday, a lot more involved in the early stages of the race, Rachel gained her best league finish of 7th on Saturday, whilst the experienced Sue Francis, used her vast experience of racing to show her younger counter parts a clean pair of heels to finish a really good 13th position, that was also good enough for 5th vet on the day. This gave the team 3rd on the day and saw them finish 4th overall.
Sarah Wilkins first Hampshire league race of the season saw her finish in 16th position, 2 places ahead of Nicky Cooke in 18th. Anna Boniface claimed 5th in the U20 category, with her 23rd place finish overall, whilst Hayley Pearce continues to put some good form together with 27th place. Hayley Randell will certainly be happy with a much improved effort, she looked more like her old self with a solid 34th, whilst Charlotte Phillips continues her impressive improvement with a 40th place finish.
The end of season individual awards saw Julia Henderson win the U20 category, Louise Bardsley take 4th senior and Sue Francis 4th veteran.
It proved the perfect platform for the Nationals the following weekend and no doubt many will take that confidence from Saturday into next weekend.
Male Report
The male side gained some good individual positions from the day, but were worryingly short of numbers, only fielding 2 teams on the day. Carl Bradbury however enjoyed another solid effort for the club as he raced round the 9.1k course to come back a very strong 6th position. U20 David Lewis gained 2nd in his section on the day with his 17th place finish, also eanring bronze in the overall U20 standing's. Darren Stevens was the club's third scorer, as he crossed the line in 44th position. Steve Bond and Luke McAra had quite a tussle between them and it was Steve who got the better as he finished 60th, with Luke completing the team in 61st place, giving the men 6th on the day to end the season 4th overall. Andy McDonald also ran and finished in 73rd.
Only 2 U17 men faced the starter and meant an incomplete team followed, but Ed Stockdale will have been pleased with his 11th placed finish, with club mate Alex Bow finishing in 16th position.
Ben Priddle was the pick of the young male performers as he finished a very good 8th in the U15 boys race, setting him up nicely for the Nationals the following weekend. Nathan Meredith enjoyed another good performance, he finished his best placing of the season with 17th, whilst Arun Dance completed the scoring trio with a 41st place finish which saw the lads take 7th on the day.
The U13 boys only had 2 in action also, meaning they too were incomplete. Ben Corless was the first one home in 19th position, with club mate Michael Lennon enjoying a good effort to finish 21st.
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