ESSEX XC LEAGUE

Last Saturday saw the 5th and final round of the Essex XC League and HRR had three women and one man tackling the challenging Gloucester Park course in Basildon. The recent heavy rain made the going very soft and slippery, especially up and down the steep hills that runners had to overcome on each of the three laps. In the women’s 7k race, Wendy Carter once again led the way for HRR with a fine 78th position out of 122 finishers. Having completed all 5 races and with the best 4 finish positions counting towards the end of season placings, Wendy was agonisingly close to a bronze medal as she finished 4th in the V60 age category. Lorraine Garnham was next with a strong run to hold off the in form Emily Bentley as they crossed the line in 87th and 89th place respectively. In the men’s 9k race Andy Carter, another ever present this season, was a little disappointed in his run but pushed hard to complete the race in 175th out of 195. Andy’s overall score for the season placed him 6th in the V65 age category. Last but not least, despite missing the last race of the season, Bob Langley’s previous 4 races gave him an overall score good enough to secure a Silver medal in the V70 age category.