Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC young athletes achieved 4 individual wins and a number of high placings when the third of this season's Border Cross Country League events was held at Down Grange last Sunday. The heavy early morning rain gave way to a bright and breezy afternoon as some 240 athletes from Aldershot, Bracknell, Camberley, Fleet, Guildford, Windsor and Woking competed in the 8 races during the afternoon, Basingstoke had a contingent of 65 in action with some very good performances.

The Wildash sisters provided double wins, Lucy in the under 11s had a clear margin at the end of her race to win in 6m 16s while older sister Gemma was equally convincing winning the under 13 event in 10m 46s. Running as Guest, Charlotte Chalwin scored another convincing win in the under 15s, running over the soggy ground in fine style to record 13m 16s, Charlotte's guest status being that she has represented Hampshire a number of times now and is barred from scoring. In the same race Team mate Jenny Helyar was 3rd in 13m 45s and leads the League overall standings in this age group. In the very young age group 3 of Basingstoke youngsters ran well with Rebecca Bullock finishing 3rd, Minnie McDougall 4th and Tayler Wegg 5th in the under 9s over 1350metres. In the under 11s Amelia Cook was the best placed home Club athlete in 13th spot.

 

The Boys also produced some good performances with William Edwards the star in the under 11 race, again a convincing winner in 10m43s. In this race Matthew Comer improved on previous races to finish 4th. The under 15 Boys had to race 4300m and Richard Fernando showed he had the stamina to finish 2nd in 17m 10s,

 

Report by Ian Byett