BMAF Cross Country Relays - Moorways Stadium
Saturday 17 Nov
The BMAF Cross Country relays took place at the grounds around Derby AC’s Moorways Stadium. The course was a short and sharp, 2 lap 3.1k through woods, and up and over the grassy banks surrounding the running track. It was a truly national event with many clubs competing, including the usual local opposition.
First off was the Ladies race in which LERC fielded a V35+ team of Cath Benson, Sharon Orridge and Sarah Harris. Cath and Sharon were once again representing LERC in a national cross country relay event following the English Champs two weeks earlier. Cath took on the first leg and ran very steadily for a leg time of 13.42 mins. Sharon was next, and picked up several places, putting the team in a strong 3rd place in a magnificent 12 mins dead. She was also just behind 2nd place. The poor girl running the 3rd leg for the 2nd placed team must have wondered what had hit her as Sarah Harris tore past her instantly, and was out of sight, running the fastest leg of the race in 11.35. This wasn’t quite enough to beat a very strong Charnwood AC, but enough for a superb BMAF team silver medal, with a gold to Sarah for her fastest leg.
The 5-man LERC team, entered as a true V45-54 team, in a hotly contested race. Rich Wilkinson bravely went first and battled gamely for an excellent time of 11.43, putting the team in a 4-way tie for 8th place in our age category. Andy Dickenson took on the chase, followed by Ed Murden, between them gaining four places, and running 11.27 and 11.42 respectively. Importantly, they were clear of 5th, and enabled Rob Fox to chase the 3rd placed Redhill “A” runner. Rob , completing the leg in 11.24, giving Andy McNeill a fighting chance of pinching 3rd place overall. Unfortunately, the last leg runner for Redhill was one Andy Wetherill, who was in no mood to relinguish his teams 3rd place position, despite Andy Mac’s superb 11.03 time.
So a creditable 4th place finish overall to go with the LERC women’s 2nd spot.
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