On Saturday 12th October a team of AVEAC athletes travelled to Marketaton Park to compete in the first match of the North Midlands Cross Country League. With the morning showers clearing just in time for the first race, the afternoon provided ideal conditions for off-road running, and a total of 12 athletes donned their club colours, competing across a range of age groups, delivering strong performances over a tough course.
In the Under 11 Girls category there were 4 athletes competing over a 1.5Km course. Katherine Turner lead the way coming in 10th place completing the course in 6mins 56sec, Florence Sibley in 14th finishing in 7mins 15sec, Claudia Sangster coming 29th place in 9mins 06sec, and Florence Protheroe, 31st place in 9mins 07sec. The team scored 53 points, with 3 scoring runners to place 5th in the league starting the competition.
In the Under 11 Boys category there were 3 athletes, also competing over 1.5Km. Dylan Knowles running his first cross country race achieved 6th place in 6mins 03sec. Jasper Sangster finished in 29th place completing the course in 7mins 01sec and Benjamin McClaren came 34th in 7mins 16sec. The team scored 69 points, with 3 scoring runners to place 6th in the league starting the competition.
The under 13 boys was represented by Lucas Sangster. He completed the 4Km course in 16mins 50sec (also) placing 29th in his category.
There were 2 under 15 girls competing over a 4Km course. Madeleine Turner finished in 7th position in 14mins 53sec and Lucy Norman coming 27th in 16mins 42sec. The team scored 67 points coming 7th in the league.
Eleanor Rigby ran in the under 17 women category. She completed the 5Km course in 27mins 46sec finishing 14th.
And finally club coach Geoff Lowry ran in the senior men’s race completing the 10Km course in 37mins 23sec.
The next race for this league is at West Glebe Park in Corby, on Saturday 9th November. However, before that there is the first of the Derbyshire Athletics Cross Country Mini League being held at Buxton Rugby Club on Saturday 26th October. It would be fantastic to increase our team numbers for both of these events.
Report – Chris Rigby
Photos – Chris Aikman