The South West Cross Country Championships were dealt with, very efficiently, by the recently established South West Athletics Academy. Thus no fewer than 22 runners from our home club were there for these Championships, which incorporated inter-club and inter-county team competitions, as well as those for the various age groups, including veterans and juniors.
The Harriers women raced over 6.5 km, men over 8km on a muddy multi-lap course which had some short but challenging hills. The courses took the runners along the edge of the Bicton lake and in front of the main house: not that participants would have had time to admire the views along the way!
The presence of County teams helped ensure an overall high standard. Three of the four senior inter-club team competitions were won by an ever-strong Bristol and West AC. However, the Exmouth Men’s team of five finished in sixth place with the women’s team of four finishing seventh.
The other two inter-club races were for new trophies for the winners of male and female ‘Mob Matches’. In those the Exmouth men’s team of twelve were third but again it was the women who shone, winning their competition for teams of eight and lifting the very impressive silver tray and ensuring that 'Exmouth Harriers' is the first club to have its name engraved upon it!
First woman from Exmouth Harriers was Hannah Bown who was also running in the Devon County team. Hannah was in the top third of finishers in a strong field: 21st of 69 athletes in 28:12.
Completing the team of four were Carly Audritt (55th in 32:05), Emma Dupain (56th, 32:10) and Lisa Hatchard (61st, 34:04).
Four others together with these four made up the winning eight-woman team. The others being, Dawn Teed (64th, 35:15), Lorraine Gilson (65th, 35:18), Lucy Hodgson (6th, 35:54) and Alison Milborrow 68th 38:09.
The Exmouth men’s team of five consisted of Dave Stone (41st of 130 finishers in 30:21), Adam Miller 48th, (30:57), Tony Hatchard (56th, 31:26), Mike Musgrove (65th, 32:03), and Mark Cox (70th, 32:32). The following then contributed scores to the twelve-man team: Jon Garrity (77th in 33:36), Richard Hawes (94th, 34:50), Dave Wright (97th, 35:04), Chris Dupain (108th, 36:28), Scott Jordan (117th, 37:58), Dave Backway (119th in 38:20) and Terry Oldham (126th, 40:19). Also competing were Dave Eveleigh (128th, 45:57) and Jim Wyatt (130th, 47:02).
(Report adapted from Dave Eveleigh's press article.)
Just 3 of the 8 victorious members of our ladies team receiving their 'Mob-Match' trophy from guest of honour, 5 time Olympic race-walk champion, Chris Maddocks
Our Harriers men, watching the ladies in action.... comments on a postcard!
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