English National CC Champs., Alton Towers

"Wicksy's" best ever run for National silver

At the end of a tough day at Alton Towers a stream of tired Belgrave runners made their way back from the finishing funnel to the tent, each one asking Phil Wicks how he got on: and there was plenty of back slapping and handshaking when the answer was received. For only the third time since we first contested this race in 1920, our leading man was placed 2nd – Vic Blowfield in 1948, Allen Graffin in 2002 and now 23 year-old Phil Wicks.

As a team we were only strong enough to scrape into the top twenty but we were 12th at nine to score and couldn’t help feeling satisfied that our squad of engine-room men plus one star had done a great job in upholding the tradition of the last decade that no matter what our expectations on the day, it’s imperative that we travel to the “national”, wherever it is, and fill out a team. From such efforts spring the occasional gem – 28th in 2003 followed by 1st in 2004!

Throughout that decade one man has attended every race – our current Skipper Will Cockerell, running his last cross country race as Captain. But although stepping down from the captaincy after four years we have no doubt that he’ll remain a fixture in the team, for in 2011 we have every expectation that our erstwhile Skip will take the club record for the most consecutive number of National outings. Well done William and thanks for all you have done – now, what other job can we give you!

But back to the race. After the normal fast start a bunch of six started moving away from the field as they descended to the lowest point of the very undulating course. Salford’s Andi Jones was at the front with favourite Tom Humphries a step behind and then Steve Vernon (Stockport), Mike Skinner (Blackheath & Bromley), Phil Wicks and Matt Watson of Bingley, all bouncing off each other in their efforts to keep close to the leaders; and then came the climb! We can’t remember a tougher ascent in any “National”. Three hundred metres of ever-steepening terrain was topped by a final thirty metres that had mortals scrambling on hands and knees to get over the top. A huge crowd had assembled at the summit where gasping runners in severe oxygen debt were urged to keep going.

Tough it was, but it was a circuit that suited our Phil, and in fact many said how good it was to race over a “real” cross country course even though it was a mile shorter than the expected distance. Soon Humphries surged past Jones and the foursome behind split asunder with Phil moving into second spot. The Cannock & Staffs man seemed to have a winning lead but Phil was working very hard – and had to, with Steve Vernon still eyeing up something better than bronze. But if anything it was Phil, now, perhaps moving the fastest, as he closed to within 13 seconds of a majestic Humphries by the finish. A fabulous run from our man – his best race ever – and one which surely gives a hint that one day a Belgravian may win this event.

Further down the field our engine-room boys excelled themselves. Will got the better of veteran Knut Hegvold who had a marvellous race. Malachi Byansi was running with a hamstring niggle but came through strongly over the final lap while James Fairbourn, in his first senior “national” could be at the beginning of a long love affair with the event. Our scoring six was closed in by the irrepressible Tim Weeks who had turned down a chance to star as “break-dancing Billy the Badger” at Fulham Football Club’s match. It was Tim’s last run before an operation to sort out a dodgy ankle but he tells us that his enthusiasm for running has never been stronger.

As normal Will waltzed off with the men’s cross country plate with “Weeksy” in runner-up spot and James Fairbourn in third. All three had taken part in every plate race (and more).

Team manager Catherine Eastham donned her racing shoes to join Jennifer Beecroft in a depleted women’s team and Jennifer had the pleasure of winning the women’s plate – another runner to take part in every constituent race.

Men. 1 T Humphries (Cannock & Stafford) 32:03; 2 P Wicks (Belgrave) 32:16; 3 S Vernon (Stockport H) 32:32; ... 191 W Cockerell 37:31; 223 K Hegvold M45 37:59; 237 M Byansi 38:13; 257 J Fairbourn 38:25; 318 T Weeks 39:12; 392 D Mason 40:22; 462 M Whiting 41:22; T Fordyce 41:54.

Teams - 6 to score: 1 Leeds City AC 183; 2 Notts AC 192; 3 Bristol & West 303; 4 OWLS AC 367; 5 Newham & Essex Beagles 395; 6 Bedford & County AC 417; ... 19 Belgrave H 1228.

Teams: 9 to score: 1 Leeds City AC 377; 2 Notts AC 395; 3 Bedford & County AC 350; 4 OWLS AC 979; 5 Sale H Manchester 1149; 6 Blackheath & Bromley H 1314; 12 Belgrave H 2580.

Women. 1 L Yelling (Bedford & County AC) 23:44; 2 G Miles (Kendall AC) 24:25; 3 R Townend (Winchester) 24:29; ... 333 C Eastham 34:54; 354 J Beecroft 35:39.

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.