Latest News - November

28th November 2011

Jonny and Ben compete well at McCain cross country race in Liverpool!!

Two of Reading AC’s outstanding young male athletes made the trip to the McCain’s cross country challenge at Liverpool on Saturday 27 November. In a field of 108 Jonny Davies, the club and UK’s top Under 17 at track 3000metres and undefeated in his age group over the cross country,competed in the older U20 age group. He came to the race having easier won the McCain’s first race at Bristol in his own age group. At Liverpool he was the youngest in the field making a move up the age group to test himself against the finest under 20s in the UK. The race was also the trials for European championship selections with 3 automatic places and a further three for UK consideration and for those around the top 20 to be considered for other national representative caps this cross country season

Jonny had a great run and finished a fine 15^th defeating some of the most talented endurance athletes around including national medallists , an English schools 3000metres champs and UK international this from older age group. Jonny must be in with a chance for a representative vest now. Ben Priddle had a very good run in the U17s. As a first year in the age group and in a high quality field of over 100, the race was always going to test Ben but he came through well to finish 54^th and in the run in defeated the U K schools games steeplechase champion. With Jonny and Ben still in general aerobic conditioning stage of their training this early season, they are shaping up well for the national and other major championships in the new year

20th November 2011

Isaac and Matthew lead the U13 boys to victory!!

Thefirst major championship of the cross country season took place on Sunday with the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Cross Country Championships, taking place at Swinley Forest, Bracknell. It proved a good day for the club as they saw their athletes claim 7 team medals and 6 individual medals

Male Report

Reading's Under 13 boys led the way for Reading Ac on Sunday with a near perfect showing at Bracknell. From the gun it was clear the Reading lads were going to be a hard act to beat for the team race and so it became more apparent as Isaac Farnworth and Matthew Rawling's were battling it out for the lead. Isaac stormed away towards the end and claimed his first championship title with a very convincing victory. Matthew soon followed and claimed himself the individual silver. With H Lowrey completing the scoring trio in 5th place it proved a very easy team victory. Ben Corless led the b-team home just behind in 6th. Peter Cook was next as he finished a pleasing 10th place, whilst completing the b-team was Ben Hughes in 13th, who much to their suprise, gained a brilliant silver team medal position.
Callum Gregory was among the medals in the U15 boys race, as he finished strong to gain silver to lead the Reading lads home. Matthew Rainbow was next in 11th place, whilst completing the a-team was Elliott Morton in 13th to give them the team bronze medals. Max Scaife led the b-team home in 22nd, Tom Ryan in 23rd and Dan Williams 24th completed the b-team for 6th place.
Jonny Davies added yet another championship gold medal to his ever growing list, as he was never troubled in his quest for the U17 title. Ben Priddle was the next vest home in 9th, whilst completing the team that won the bronze medals was Nathan Meredith in 17th place.

A below strength Reading AC Senior and Junior men competed fairly well at Bracknell.

Club Captain Carl Bradbury had a very good run to finish 2nd , next to finish was Junior Jon Roberts in 11th Richard Kinnersley having his first cross country race of the season finished 14th followed by Junior Ed Stockdale in 19th Tony Laver in his first run of the season finished 35th final scorer for the team was over 50 vet Tony McCreery having his first cross country race for a few years finished 63rd this gave the team 4th position missing 3rd position by one point to Newbury. Non scorer Matt Rodda having his first race for us finished 74th

Female Report
Reading Ac's junior girls contested their first championships race of the cross country season as they travelled to Swinley Forest, Bracknell to compete in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championships.
There were some strong performances from the Reading girls as between the 3 age groups, they collected 3 sets of medals.
The U17 women gained 2 sets of those, with team silver and bronze medals. They ran over a much longer distance than they are used to in league races, but nonetheless enjoyed the occasion. As has been the case all season, Cerys Aicken had the distinction of leading the Reading vests home with another solid display finishing in 7th position. Cerys had quite a battle with team mate Beki Taylor who enjoyed a good run also to finish just 7 seconds behind in 8th place. Natasha Harris-White's best ever performance over cross country saw her not far behind in a very solid 9th position to complete the scoring 3 for the a-team who gained silver. Ellie Kemp had her best race since returning to the club in the summer, as she led the b-team home in a pleasing 10th position. Rosie Bishop battled well despite being a little under the weather as she placed 13th, whilst completing the b-team in 14th was Mollie Haines. Emma Taylor was the final Reading vest home in 16th.
The U15 girls enjoyed a satisfactory day and they saw their a-team pick up bronze medals. Lauren Church put last weeks disappointment behind her to get back on top and lead the Reading girls home in a pleasing 9th position.
Katherine West's recent good form continued as she posted a pleasing 10th place finish. Ella Saunders, who has been struggling with race form lately, put that firmly behind her with a very solid display to take the final scoring slot for the a-team and secure them the bronze medals.
Just outside the scoring was Lois Meredith, who is showing some vast improvement this winter, she took 15th. Grace Tatam enjoyed her best run of the winter with an improved 22nd place, with Georgia Walton just a few seconds behind in 23rd place. Jodie Penny is continuing to improve and can be happy with her 25th place finish whilst Alice Milsom finished just 3 seconds behind in 26th. Lydia Blythe is also improving with each race and she placed 27th, just one ahead of Charlotte Tanner in 28th, whilst Abi Froud placed 34th to round up the u15 girls.
The U13 girls just missed out on bronze but enjoyed some good individual results, especially from 2 new members making their cross country debuts.
Katie Holt is enjoying a fine start to the season and she gained a good 5th position on Sunday in the U13 girls race. Kirsty Walker was one of the above mentioned debutants and she highlighted what a talent she is for the future, with another year still in this age group, she showed some fine qualities and will rightly be delighted with her position of 7th. Caitlin Stacey completed the scoring team, showing real improvement in recent months as she placed 22nd giving the girls 4th in the team standings.
Ella Saunders was the other athlete making their cross country debut and she too can be very please with her 29th place finish. Kate McKim was next across the line with a 30th place finish. Loren Hunter soon followed with 32nd. Followed in quick succession by Alanna Rayfield in 33rd and Grace Bedford in 34th.

Reading Athletic Club’s Senior Women failed to make any impact team wise at the Berks Bucks and Oxon Cross Country Champs on Sunday, and it was their Vets that shone through the fog to collect individual medals at Swinley Forest. Run in conjunction with the under 17 girls and boys, the seniors and Vets made a very steady start, with Hayley Pearce and Sue Francis leading the Reading contingent early on. Sue gradually improved her place to lead the team home in 12^th position and 2^nd Vet 40. Close behind, Julie Rayfield had easily her best run since returning to the club to take the Vet 40 bronze medal in overall 14^th place, with Lucy Daniels completing the A team in 17^th.

Andi Curson had a very strong 2^nd lap to take 18^th spot having passed Hayley Pearce who was 20^th.

Annie Ellison enjoyed her first cross country race for 2 years but showed she is reasonably race fit with her 24^th place. Charlotte Phillips led the C team home in 30th with Hayley Randall having a much more confident race next in 31^st.

Lee Fellowes showed that sprinters can also run cross country and surprised a few with a very solid 39^th place. The team position of 4^th was disappointing, but did not reflect their true ability, on this occasion.

12th November 2011

Jonny wins McCain Cross Country in Bristol!!

Jonny Davies our Under 17 UK number 1 ranked 3000 metres track performer continued his fine unbeaten cross country start to the season by comfortably winning the McCain’s Cross county Under 17 men’s race at Bristol on Sunday. The McCain UK Cross Challenge in partnership with UK Athletics gives up-and-coming athletes the opportunity to match themselves against established cross country stars and competitive fields.
Jonny sat in for the first part of the race behind Michael Callagari, (second fastest to Jonny in the 2011 track Under 17 3000 metres rankings). Jonny then moved ahead winning by 34 seconds. Jonny is looking in great early season and will be tough to beat in his age group this coming season over the cross country

12th November 2011

Matthew on song with 3rd place at Goodwood!

After a quiet spell on the competition front, the cross country squad of Reading Ac made their way to Sussex this past Saturday to contest the 2nd Hampshire League of the season. Matt produced the performance of the day with a superb 3rd place in the U13 boys race. Katie Holt continued her good form with a pleasing 5th position for the U13 girls. Cerys Aicken maintained her top 10 placing's this season with a 7th place for the U17 women. It was the U17 men and Veteran women who posted the best team placing's of the day as they both secured 3rd.
Male Report
Reading Athletic Club's male athletes continued their strong start to the winter season with another good showing in the 2nd league fixture at Goodwood. The first race for them of the day was the U13 boys and it was here that the best individual result of the day was to come from. Matthew Rawlings produced the performance of the day over a tricky Goodwood course to finish strong and take a brilliant 3rd place finish. He was ably backed up by Andrew Smyth, who showed huge potential with his impressive 11th place finish. Completing the scoring trio was Tom Nike, who showed what an asset to the team he will be as he finished in 34th position, this gained the team 7th place on the day. Just outside the scoring and making his cross country debut was Emil Rayfield, who finished 54th, with Joby Gray also making his first cross country appearance for the club in 62nd.
The U17 men placed a fine 3rd place team on the day and they were led home by Ben Priddle in a strong 11th position. Nathan Meredith continued his recent good form, as he placed 18th and completing the team was Alex Bow, as he finished up in 23rd position.

Reading A.C. Senior and Junior Men bounced back from not fielding a full team in the first fixture to take 4th place in the second match at Goodwood Race Course.

The team was lead home by club captain Carl Bradbury in 18th position in 29.26 he was closely followed by Nick Earl who made the long trip down from Norwich to run for us finishing in 21st 29.36. First year Junior Jon Roberts had a excellent run to finish three places higher than he did in the last fixture in a much stronger field to finish 32nd in 30.50 Well done Jon. Not far behind was another one of our Junior athletes Jack Williams who has just started university at St Mary's College Twickenham Jack was a little disappointed with his run but with a couple more races he will improve on that, finishing 34th 31.07. The final scorer for the team was another first year Junior Ed Stockdale whom looked to be really struggling when he started his last lap but showed real guts and determination to get himself going and to move back through the field finishing 52nd 32.14. We had one non scorer Darren Stevens who ran over a minute faster than last year finished 58th 32.33.Although we are lacking in numbers at the moment we have a very young team and under the guidance of coach Rob McKim the club looks like it has a bright future
Female Report
Reading Ac's young female athletes enjoyed mixed results at Goodwood as a large squad made their way to the Sussex course. It was the opening race of the day that saw their best individual result of the day as U13, Katie Holt continued her recent good form, another confident start earnt Katie 5th position. Charlotte West was the next Reading vest home, having only just turned 11, showing what potential she has. Lorna Cousins completed the scoring 3, having started confidently, she faded slightly at the end from a stich but held on to finish 51st giving the girls 10th place on the day. Alana Rayfield was one of the many making their cross country debut's for the club, she showed promise by finishing 55th. Emily Pickett was another who made her first appearance for Reading over cross country with 56th. Loren Hunter was next in 58th. Whilst the final 2 Reading vests were both making their club debut's. Chloe Zmuda showed she has potential at middle distance/cross country with a 65th place finish, whilst Libby Cairns ran well for her first outing in 68th.
10 Reading vests faced the starter in the U15 girls race. The age group is potentially a strong one and will certainly improve as the season progresses. They packed in well, led home by Katherine West with a well deserved top 20 finish, crossing the line in 19th. Georgia Walton was the next runner home in 22nd, whilst Lauren Church completing the scoring team of 3 in 29th, giving the girls 7th on the day.
Lois Meredith produced a strong 2nd half of the race to take 31st, Jodie Penny had one of the biggest improved performances of the day with a pleasing 33rd place. Ella Saunders was next in 37th. Grace Tatam's first cross country race for the club resulted in a 41st place. Alice Milsom soon followed in 46th, with Lydia Blythe hot on her heels in 47th. Abi Froud rounded things off for the girls with a 60th place finish.
The U17 women had a pleasing day too. Cerys Aicken again giving an impressive display with a strong 7th place finish. Beki Taylor's return to form continued with an 11th place finish, completing the scoring trio was Mollie Haines who crossed the line in 14th, giving the girls 4th team on the day. Just outside the scoring team was Ellie Kemp in 15th position. Emma Taylor enjoyed a better performance with 21st, with Bethan Taylor finishing just behind in 23rd.

Reading Athletic Clubs Senior ladies were keen to improve on their 4th position at the 2^nd Hants Cross Country League fixture last weekend. But with a few key runners missing, core team members faced a tough task to be glorious at Goodwood. As always they rose to the challenge and made a confident start with Rachel Phillips, Hayley Pearce and Sue Francis leading a number of Reading AC vests well up in the opening mile. The rest of the Reading AC team were packing well not far behind. On the long climb through the woods, the field was well spaced out, with 11 Aldershot athletes completely dominating the top 15 places, but the Reading girls stuck to their task well and fought for every position.

Rachel Phillips once again led her team home in 17^th place with Sue Francis leading the Vets team in 3oth. Nicky Cooke showed her true form and closed the scoring team in with a much improved 35^th. Hot on her heels and looking stronger with every race was under 20 Anna Boniface in 36^th. Julie Rayfield and Hayley Pearce both had strong runs for 42^nd and 47^Th places, whilst Andi Curson improved by 20 places on the previous fixture to close in for the Vets in 48^th. Lucy Daniels and Jenny Prescott worked hard together throughout the race and Lucy just got the edge with 52^nd to Jenny’s 54^th. Charlotte Phillips continued her well deserved improvement, jumping up 21 places to 61^st with Hayley Randell completing the team in 75^th place out of a large field of 117.

The senior team finished 5^th on the day, but overall keep their 4^th place after 2 fixtures, whilst the Vets, 3^rd on the day remain in joint 2^nd overall.