Race report by Tori Dickinson
Herefordshire & Borders Winter Cross Country League 2026/27 kicked off with a new course at Gwatkin Cider Farm in Abbey Dore. Hay Hotfooters were the race hosts and what a fantastic event they put on.
I think most of us were in slight trepidation at the start as the first few hundred metres were what can only be described as ‘ankle twisting’ (I did wonder what it would’ve been like if it was muddy) but (I think/hope) everyone survived and after it the 2 lap route was a fantastic mixture of hills, woods and some lovely long downhills all run in beautiful autumn sun. We had fallow deer running across the route and some feisty sheep to contend with.
Croft did really well and we had some great results. The Ladies’ team (Irina W, Kelly B, Natalie C. and Emma J) ran a cracking race and are sitting in first place with a lead of about 3.5 minutes over Hereford Couriers who are about 12 minutes ahead of Maldwyn Harriers.
The Men’s team (Sam J, Andrew D, Oscar A, and Steve P) finished in second place just 3.5 minutes behind Western Tempo with Hereford Couriers in third place only just over a minute behind Croft….so lots to race for in the next race at Croft.
There are quite a number of sky blues placing in their age category also. Overall we had 31 runners, five scoring men’s teams and three scoring ladies’ teams. Well done team.
The individual times are:
Sam Juson 34:50 1st overall, 1st SM
Andrew Davies 38:23
Oscar Austin 42:20
Steve Partridge 44:12
Nigel Taylor 44:28 1st MV60
Miles Davis 45:24
Simon Norwood 46:36
Irina Whitfield 48:20 3rd Lady overall, 1st FV35
Kelly Bowen 2nd FV40
Russ Limbert 52:10
Natalie Covill 52:13 1st FV50
Emma Jones Snr 53:26 2nd FV50
Greg Jones 53:54
Paul Lewis 54:02
Liza Austin 54:43 3rd FV60
Richard Coltart 55:00
Oli Cameron Swan 55:23
Tom Powell 58:21
Ian Price 58:46 1st MV75
Sonia George 58:54
Neil Taylor 58:59
Tori Dickinson 61:15
Rob Wood 62:54 3rd MV70
Hayley Colebatch 63:09
Guy Whitmarsh 63:48 1st MV80
Lisa Gray 64:04
Lou Phillips 64:50
Nick Paviour 67:13
Gary Gunner 67:53 2nd MV80
Sue Wood 68:03 2nd FV70
Huw Williams 75:28
Some photos from Sam Harper who was resting a dodgy knee: If anyone wants higher resolution copy, just send her a message:
