In true winter league fashion there was the weather as well as other runners to compete again at the third race of the winter league. There was a switch from the very cold and icy conditions the day before to wet, slushy and muddy at the start line.
This was the second outing for this route for a winter league race and the start/finish line had been moved from the previous year – to allow for less congestion at the finish line I should imagine. The route had also been used for the summer 10k series which I had taken part in and I think familiarity with the route really does help.
The two lap race starts off running through the farmyard and then follows field margins with a couple of wooded stretches and has just enough undulation to make it a very challenging run. On the first lap, we all spotted Mike B taking photos – and it is interesting to look at the facial expressions of the runners on his photos – all happy and jolly for the first lap but just grit and determination on the second to get to the end of the test of endurance through the mud and rain.
The Croft ladies were led home by Kelly who was first in her age category and sixth lady home. Bella, Jo M and Liza were the A team and came in as third team with a combined time of 3.33.16 – it’s the times this year that count for the final positions and with only one race left takes Croft into second place.
Steph M, Flora, Sam H and Anna were the B team in 4.05.31 – tenth female team and Carol, Gemma, Ali and Claire finished in 12th with a combined time of 4.48.44.
The front runners of the race had quite a battle on their hands and saw some very impressive finishing times in such muddy conditions. Sam J was third accross the line, only 17 seconds behind winner Gwynent Joes of Maldwyn Harriers. Eric was second Croft Man home, unfortunately taking a fall along the way but still a very impressive sixth place. Gareth and Simon completed the A team – finishing in second place – and in the overall standing also second place, just two minutes behind Hereford Couriers.
There were three further teams for the Croft men – Steve, Joe, George and Toby were Croft 2 in 14th place, Paul, Neil T, Roland and Oli were Croft 3 in 23rd place and Rob W, Crispin, Ian and Gary were team 4 in 26th place. It was great to see Tom D running and crossing the line in 1.19.35.
With such slippery conditions it wasn’t only Eric who took a tumble. Howard had to take it steady finishin with and injury and Stuart had to pull out – fingers crossed it was only short term injuries and they are back running soon.
There was also some fantastic Croft results for the juniors. Summer Morgan was missed off the initial results on Sunday which was a real shame as it meant she was missed off the Sunday night news letter. She was first FU17 runner – completing one course of the senior lap in 27.38, just two seconds behind Oliver Marsh who was third MU17.
Henry Wall was fourth MU15 and Owen Marsh 5th MU13, Owen Spicer 6th MU13.
Alex Gardiner 7th MU11, and Taite Morgan tenth MU11.
Fantastic results for everyone full results can be found on the ready set go website
No league race until February so plenty of time for injuries to recover and looking forward to some Croft Medal winners.
