HRR had a cross country double header this weekend with an Essex League race at Hilly Fields, Colchester on Saturday and an Ellisons Solicitors League race at Writtle University on Sunday. Six of the runners in action on Sunday had also run the previous day so well done to them!
In Saturday’s 6k women’s race Halstead placed 3rd in Division 2, leaving them 1st in the league with one race to go so promotion to Division 1 looks odds on. There were 107 finishers on a tough course that included a couple of steep climbs on each of the two laps. Rachael Roughan once again lead the way with a fine 31st place, followed by Kelly Judge 48th, Emma Healy 73rd, Victoria Metson 88th and Nicole Smith 89th.
In the men’s 8k race it was a different story. After gaining promotion last season it now seems certain that HRR will be relegated back to Division 2 as their lowly 12th position leaves them very much in the drop zone! Out of 221 finishers, James Smith ran well to cross the line in 45th followed by Neil Poulter 155th, Andy Carter 189th and Darren Powell 206th.
Sunday saw an increase in numbers with 9 men and 6 women representing HRR on a 5 mile course that was soft and muddy in places after some heavy overnight rain.
Nathan Roulson lead the 6 man scoring team home in 38th position with Steve May 41st in close contention. Gav Ripton was next in 72nd then Steve Metson with a great run in 94th, Sam Wolton 117th and Simon King 130th (after placing 181st for his 1st claim club Grange Farm & Dunmow Runners the previous day). Then came Cley Dearsley in his cross country debut for the club 134th, Andy Carter 137th and John Warne 151st.
The women needed 3 to score and with Rachael Roughan in a tremendous 8th position and Kelly Judge in 24th it was down to the other four to battle it out for the 3rd team spot. Emma Healy came 55th just edging out Anna Bambridge 56th followed by Victoria Metson 66th and Lauren Hutley 72nd.
And a huge thank you to Chairman “Big Bob” Langley, out injured since September, who attended both races to cheer on his clubmates!
