The Clubs athletes had a good day when the second of this season’s Hampshire Cross Country League meetings took place at Popham Airfield. Hosted by BMHAC, the deluge of rain at the latter end of last week made organisation difficult and the course was saturated for the races. Nevertheless despite the wind and the rain the Clubs athletes that competed did well and with places in the Hampshire team to compete in the Southern Inter Counties up for grabs a number ran well enough to secure a place.
The first race of the day the under 13 girls race over 3K, saw the athletes face strong winds and first home for the Club was Lucy Hempstead in 27th position. Next up the under 13 boys race runners were also facing testing conditions but Cameron Coveney was in fine form finishing 7th just 21 seconds down on the winner, Cameron who has been in good form all through the winter so far, maintained his form to secure another high placing. In the under 15 girls race over 4K again there were some great performances with Rebecca Poole having her best race for sometime to place 6th and with team mates Rebecca Bullock 12th and Isobel Mannion 18th the Team has moved into 3rd in the League. Ben Pattison was the Club’s lead under 15 boy finishing 7th as the runners finished well spread out. Up another age group and Maddie Deadman put in the best performance among the younger age groups to finish 5th, 3rd Hants runner as the wind tested the athletes, overcoming a recent injury scare this was a very encouraging performance. James Beeks ran equally well the under 17 Men’s race placing 6th in a classy race
In the Senior races with the Ladies running 6K and the Men 10K the Clubs teams were well to the fore. In the Senior Men’s race with course turning into a quagmire in places Jermaine Mays led home the Clubs 20 runners in 10th spot, followed by Tom Sycklemore 15th, Alex Hamilton 17th, Brendan O’Connor 21st and Hayden Carter 33rd for 3rd Team overall. Newcomer to senior ranks Dylan Bardwell finished a very good 63rd on his debut in the event. The Women were led home by Lucy Wildash returning after a layoff finishing 35th, next came Rebecca Sleap 46th while Krissy Lloyd finished 51st to put the team in 5th spot.
On a atrocious day thanks must go to everyone that assisted with this event, officials, course builder, marshals and the team management.
Ian Byett
Full, results can be found at http://www.hampshireathletics.org.uk