Exe-rated: The Blog of Exmouth Harriers: Things are hotting up in the XC!

On remembrance Sunday, 10th November, Exmouth Harriers once again headed to Cornwall to take part in the second round of the Westward cross-country league. This month the fixture was held in a high school in Newquay over a 6k course for the women and a 9.6k course for the men. The event also incorporated the Cornish County XC Championships and so, although not eligible for this race within a race, our Harriers had stiffer competition to face than in the previous round in Redruth, with entry numbers up across all the races.

Once again we managed to field a team that offered both strength and depth in the men's event. Although we lost Rob Orton, who has now returned to his winter home and job in the Alps, Tom Merson stepped in as a more than adequate replacement. Backed up by a battalion of some of our club's speedsters, this ensured that we were able to remain in contention in the team competition and consolidate our third place established in round 1.

In a very competitive field of over 160, Tom won the 9.6 km Men’s race in 33:45. The next three scorers were packed close in behind: 20th (Dave Stone 36:48), 22nd (Tony Hatchard 36:50) and 31st (Adam Miller 37:42). Completing the scorers was Jamie Pearson in 51st place (39:00). Marc Cox was 72nd in 40:10 but don’t forget that there were rival scoring runners behind Marc who each scored a point less because of his efforts, making his - and indeed any non-scoring Harrier member's - presence at the event crucial to the overall outcome in the team contest. Cornwall AC Lead the men's team event on 2901 points, ahead of Bideford AC (2888) and then us (2775). Now that the events move north to Devon, it's still all to play for.

The welcome arrival of Cathy Newman into the team meant that the ladies had a sufficient number of counters to close in a team this round. They were 10th on the day and are lying in 12th overall, but really need to get at least 3 ladies to each event from now on to ensure any chance of climbing higher. In a field of over 70 females, Cathy Newman was a creditable 8th in 25:59 and comfortably first FV50. Recently voted in, new ladies captain, Carly Miller, was 37th in 30:23 and out-going captain extraordinaire, Dawn Teed, placed 52nd in 32:51.

The next round is closer to home, at the Exeter Arena Exhibition Fields, on Sunday 1st December. It would be great to field a strong men's and women's team and to repeat (or better!) the success we saw here last year as it is the Devon County Championships. Not forgetting that teams for the South West Intercounties and the National Intercounties championships are decided upon based on your finish position at this event, so get your Devon County entry forms in asap!!!