Sunday saw the penultimate race of the NESS XC League, hosted by Harwich Running Club at a new venue, Wix equestrian centre. It was a flat course that featured a bit of everything, strong winds, long grass with boggy mud underneath, ditch jumps in and out of the woods & even a horse jump.
It was another strong team event for Halstead with 16 runners turning out. Wes Atkins was once again the first HRR home, finishing in 17th position, the 3rd time this season that he’s taken that position token, not far behind him was Jacob Page who had a really strong run on his debut XC to finish brilliantly in 21st place. Nathan Roulson had another great run finishing in 28th to prove he’s just as consistent over the shorter distances as he is over the crazy long ones he loves doing. Next home in 42nd position was Steve May followed a little way back in 69th position by Gavin Ripton. Neil Poulter, continuing his love of the off road running, finished well in 102nd with Alan Fancy, who is currently in marathon training, completing the scoring team in 111th. The next 3 runners in fairly quick succession were Joby Humm, who had his best XC run of the season so far, in 141st, followed by 2 recent birthday boys, XC’s ever present Andy Carter, 149th, and Simon King in 153rd. The final man home for Halstead in 166th place was Dan Roughan.
In the ladies race, Rachael Roughan continued her good form with a top 10 finish in 10th position. Victoria Metson, took another 2nd HRR lady spot in 49th place, having picked her way through the field after a cautious start, with Charlotte King finishing strongly not far behind in 55th to complete the ladies scoring team. The final 2 ladies home for Halstead were Jane Roach, continuing her new found love for XC, in 84th with ladies XC captain Lauren Ripton hot on her heels one place behind in 85th. Halstead men’s team topped their Pool B table in 1st place with the ladies finishing 5th in their respective Pool B. This meant Halstead finished in 3rd place on the day when the results were combined leaving Halstead in 3rd place overall in the league.
The final race of the NESS league takes place on 19th Feb on the infamous hills of Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Race report by Steve May
