South East Of England Schools Inter Counties XC

This year these championships were held at Ardingly, West Sussex. The course was a tough one that included a hill that was around 8/900 metres in length and described by one of the athletes as “gruesome”. Coach John Stow was tipped off about this hill a week ago at the Southerns.

We had seven athletes representing Essex Schools,two for the first time. The weather, however, was kind to the athletes, mild and little wind.

Each race had around 90/100 runners starting. Seven counties took part.

Bethan-Rose Davies, wearing Essex colours for the first time in the Junior Girls race, found the hill tough - ”it just went on and on”. This being Bethan’s first season on cross country she is slowly adapting to the different types of course. Although Bethan lost ground up the hill she still finished 36th and 6th scorer for Essex.

Luka Norden and Harry Stockill toed the line in the Junior Boys race. At the end of the first lap of 2k Luka was part of the leading pack of around eight runners. Just after this point he lost a shoe and lost ground as a result. Nevertheless he still pressed on as well as he could to place 16th, 30 seconds down on the winner from Kent. Behind Luka, Harry, having had a chesty cough during the week, ran really well for a course that would not have suited him for 25th.

Emily Caton was in the Inter Girls race. Emily, who is having a great season, was gallant and stuck to the task to place 38th, just over a minute down on Lottie Quinn of Hampshire.

Nate Harding, combining training with other activities, had a real go in the Inter Boys race but the tough course got the better of him as he placed 75th. Another county vest for Nate.

In the Senior Boys race Nathan Wright, giving this a real go despite recovering from a nasty virus, was 20th at halfway but, like Nate, he found it hard going for 45th. Chris Richardson won his county colours for the first time and did well for 59th.

Given the severity of this course our athletes should be proud of their performances against top opposition across the South East Of England.

Congratulations to you all for your county call-ups!