Page 21 - BBHAC Winter 2017-18 Gazette

Athletics Report 21

National Cross Country Relays The U13 girls teams placed 13th Tom Brash ran hard and fast
Mansfield 4th November 2017 and 32nd. on leg one in the U15 boys race
The National cross country passing to Will Andrews, who
relays were once again held in Twenty one BBHAC boys ran well posting a time 25 sec-
Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, descended on Mansfield from onds quicker than last year. Will
Nottinghamshire, on the superb various locations across the handed to Oliver Bright making
course that offers everything country including Birmingham, his full club debut and Oliver
needed for a great Champion- Durham, West London, South made light work of the course
ships - tough hills, woodlands, London and Hayes! powering around in the second
mud, grass, fast sections and fastest time of the day, with
all this easily accessed by the The U17 boys were best repre- the team finishing 33rd. Bailey
large numbers of spectators in sented and the A team finished Marks and Harvey Blanden
attendance. a high 16th. They were led out both ran well but without a third
by Peter Guy running hard in runner were unable to complete
Dave Cordell temporarily came his usual fashion, handing over a team.
out of retirement to transport to Callum Myatt who negoti-
the tent up North before secur- ated the tough 3k course well, A great championship and great
ing prime location just down the before handing over to Matthew venue but still at least three
hill from the start. Fortunately Francis who stormed around hours away on a good journey.
a few of our keen members the course being rewarded with So many thanks must go to all
were also on site early and able the 6th fastest time of the day. the parents who made the huge
to help put the tent up. Many A great team effort. The B team effort to get our athletes to
thanks to Dave and all who saw Ben Gardiner continue his Berry Hill in plenty of time to
helped with the tent. fine form on leg 1, finishing prepare and warm up. Special
high up the field passing to thanks to Sarah Gardiner who
At these Championships we are Charlie Andrews who kept the had a people carrier full, coach
restricted to only three teams pressure on leaving Cameron Nigel Stickings, Paul Brash (who
per age group. This probably Swatton to bring the team home even managed a leg in the senior
affects our U15 girls most, due crossing the line in 41st. team) and Dan Marks (who
to the large number of U15 also managed a leg in the senior
athletes we have but this makes Theo Wood and Carlos Ohler team) who took over 6 hours
competition for the team slots had strong runs for the C team negotiating Friday traffic!
harder but ultimately increases but unfortunately we had no
standards as was proved by their third leg runner to complete the It was also fabulous to have club
unprecedented results. The A team. President Nick Brooks there
team were emphatic winners supporting all of our athletes
and the B team were equally The U13 boys finished a cred- and many thanks to Nick’s
impressive coming a very strong itable 30th with Ben Campbell mum for bringing him up (to
2nd while the C team placed a running a great opening leg Mansfield)! Great also to have
very creditable 15th. Incredible passing to Max Gregson who immediate Past President Bill
results. The A team of Ava held his own on U13 2k lap, Foster at the club tent, in his
White, Morgan Squibb and handing to Jamie Sears who capacity as a club ambassador
Naomi Toft and the B team of ran a good leg for his first run and the endurance coach at
Zakia Mossi, Annie Thomas in these championships. Oliver Loughborough University.
and Ellie Dolby unsurprisingly Robertson was our only B team
all feature high up in the fastest runner but his performance puts Paul Austridge
times posted on the day. him among the U13’s best.