ECCA National Cross Country Champs., Roundhay Park, Leeds
We came, we saw, we got up hill 60
Will Cockerell guest reports ...
At this most scenic of venues, an intrepid band of 15 or so Belgravians made the long trip to glorious Roundhay Park, Leeds, to do battle in this most fiercely contested of club races. We were minus Alan who was keeping Pat company, but as a serviceable swap got a fab four of W.R. Laws, both the Flanagans and Jonesy who fulfilled team manager duties with aplomb. It was wet, cold, miserable and muddy, and George and Anne were kind to put up their camping tent for us to lay near waste to, ahead of their camping holiday the following week.
Onto the race, and we were minus talisman Wicksy for only the second time since he joined in ’05, which was a costly blow, but we still had some real talent on show. Dan Mulhare, all wrapped up like a peppermint patty against the elements, proceeded to have a rollicking run and fired in a four-under par 68 in golfing parlance; while JK scored a goal, and set up another, so to speak. Paskar got off to a flying start to reach his 50 off just 58 balls, but was then run-out when well set for 57. As for pretty Polly, not so pretty on this occasion. After lap 1 he all but stepped off the course in disgust, but somehow managed to persuade himself to stick it out for another lap before he’d definitely call it quits. However, when the time came an inspired piece of mathematical brilliance deduced that there was now only one lap to go, and the dead man running conspired to finish. Good lad!
So, who to close us in after this sumptuous feast of international all-stars from Ireland, America, Uganda and Scotland? Well, nobody does the clinical, gnarly stuff of ‘task completion’ better than the English and here we had Fairbs and Cockers, who have become deadly enemies over all surfaces of late, enduring a race long duel. The latter had the former in his sights for the entire show, but credit to Jimbo, he held firm as both ran solidly to form. All this gave us a result of 7th in the nation, heart-warming stuff since we were missing a few, just ahead of bitter rivals and defending champs Newham. Finally, a special menche for the ‘baby-bees’ for making the long slog, who on this occasion were expertly played by Mal, Lander, evergreen Rob Harding and ever-present Donny-boy.
A wonderful run from Nick Goolab
A wonderful run came from Nick Goolab who retained his Under 20 Men's Cross Country Championship. He was very nervous beforehand but ended up only the sixth man in the history of the race to defend his title. Nick came home with a 16 second advantage over arch rival James Wilkinson of Leeds.
Only Sarah Murphy was in action for the Belles but she had a cracking run to place 46th. Winner was Aldershot's Steph Twell.
Men's 12k. A Vernon (Aldershot F&D) 38:01; 2 M Geele (Newham &EB) 38:10; 3 S Vernon (Stockport) 38:20; 16 D Mulhare 39:52; 41 J Kelly 40:47; 89 P Owor 42:15; 103 M Pollard 42:40; 153 J Fairbourn 43:40; 165 W Cockerell 43:52; 232 M Byansi 45:01; 290 L Eguia 45:58; 1008 R Harding M45 56:26; 1254 Don Anderson M55 1:01:44; dnf M Trees M45; 1428 finished.
Teams: 1 Aldershot F&D 182; 2 Leeds City 208; 3 Bedford & County 291; 4 Coventry Godiva 309; 5 Woodford Green wEL 390; 6 Tipton 392; 7 Belgrave 567; 107 teams closed in.
Under 20 Men's 10k. 1 N Goolab (Belgrave) 33:07; 2 J Wilkinson (Leeds City) 33:23; 3 B Norris (Notts) 33:29; 104 P Dolan 38:14; 204 finished.
Teams: 1 Warrington 62; 2 Leeds City 107; 3 Aldershot F&D 130; 16 teams closed in.
Senior Women's 8k. 1 S Twell (Aldershot F&D) 27:52; 2 S Stockton (Vale Royal) 28:07; 3 H Dean (Hallamshire) 28:12; 46 S Murphy 31:14; 543 finished.
Teams: 1 Charnwood 73; 2 Aldershot F&D 99; 3 Bristol &W 134; 61 teams closed in.
Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.