Sunday, February 24, 2013

2013 Inter Insular Cross Country

Sunday 24th Feb - Footes Lane, Guernsey.
On a freezing cold day with flurries of snow, the Guernsey team set about the continuance of the dominance of Guernsey endurance running over our Channel Islands counterparts - the Crapauds.  In true Guernsey donkey style the men's team stubornly kept a firm grip on the 'Boots' trophy with a 1-2-3 setting up a comprehensive 20th consecutive win.

Steve Dawes did the honours in leading the team home, Mike Wilesmith was just 20 seconds clear of me in second and I took third.  I was the only member of the Guernsey winning team from 1994 running which I can be quite proud of.  I felt great on the day and wish I had perhaps tried to hang onto Mike a little longer on the early laps as not much changed after half way.

Not to be out done the women also did a 1-2-3 with Louise Perrio leading Sarah Mercier and Nat Whitty to the clean sweep.

My children Katie & Alex won their respective races and we had a good showing of junior team results.
Next up for my athletes and children - Inter Counties XC in Birmingham on 9th March 2013.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Southern Counties Cross Country

Parliament Hill, London, Sat 16th Feb 2013
The team performed really well in some really muddy and heavy going conditions. The highlight was my daughter Katie's 2nd place in the u15 Girls race.  Louise Perrio found the mud heavy going and not suiting her style but it was still a great performance to finish 12th in the senior ladies. 

The rest of our junior teams faired well at this high level competition.  Danny Ray - for whom this is his first year of 'proper' athletics was 11th in the u15 boys and my son Alex was 14th in the u13Boys with Hugo Bisson not far behind in 27th.

The rest of the juniors enjoyed their races and gained valuable experience at this level of competition.  It is great to have a number of athletes of the right calibre to take to an event like this.