It was the penultimate fixture in the NESS cross country league at Hadleigh (Suffolk). The venue always offers a proper hilly cross country course. The inclement weather conditions added to the challenge today.
The junior fun run was no exception with the 3 Halstead runners facing some big hills in the rain and mud over a distance of 1.8 miles. Martha May finished 22nd overall and 6th in her age category. Joshua Roughan was 44th overall and 15th in his age category. Lily-May Hollinshead, one of the youngest in the field, was 50th overall and 24th in her age category.
The senior race is a 2 lap course measuring just over 5 miles. There is a long hill in the first mile with a short sharp hill towards the end of each lap and plenty of wet mud throughout. For the men James Smith was first back in 6th position followed by Wes Atkins in 15th. Steve May had a great run (54th) finishing ahead of Bob Langley (79th). Sam Wolton (101st) and Andy Carter (127th) who continued despite picking up an injury, completed the scorers. Stewart Ellis made a welcome return to the men’s team in 133rd. He was followed by Phil Jeffries (142nd), Darren Powell (149th) and Antony Denton (152nd). The men finished 3rd in Pool B on the day.
The ladies team were missing a couple of their regular scorers due to injury and sickness. However, they put in a solid performance with Anna Bambridge first back in 39th position. Sandi Robinson-Miller (44th) and Treena Carder (60th) were the other scorers. Nicole Smith (62nd) put in a sprint finish ahead of two Ipswich Jaffa ladies with Val Kerrison (74th) rounding off the ladies team. They finished 4th in Pool B on the day.
Halstead host the final fixture next weekend at Gosfield School.
