A Worthwhile Journey up North for the National Cross Country Championships.

It’s getting quite a habit with our younger members, and it could not be a better habit by picking up medals in National Championships. This latest success came despite the long journey to Durham for the national cross-country meeting with our under 13 boys and under 17 women both coming up with third place in the team scores.

To the boys, and Mason Sanford with an excellent fifth individual placing was well supported by Freddie Blacketer 34th and Dylan Law 39th with James Pollard 123rd closing in to ensure their bronze medals.

Great packing by our under 17 women brought about with the four scorers all finishing in the twenties - Emma Lole 20th, Daisy Stollery 22nd, Amelie Shipton 24th and Jorjia March 26th whilst Hetty Harrison was backing up with her 67th place. Incredibly this was not our strongest squad out which shows the depth of the club at this age level.

Our under 17 men also closed in a full team taking 14th spot with Daniel Pollard 80th, Austin Kelly 109th, Ben Smith 129th and Thomas Carter 151st. Both the under 15`s teams could not muster a fourth member with the girls having Lilly Sanford 52nd, Erin Kelly 69th and Orla Martin 103rd. For the boys we saw Jamie Gilbey 31st, Josh Humphries 87th, and Jake Boarer 121st. In the under 20 women's race there was a very impressive seventh finish for Lucy Nuttall with support from Sophie McCall 71st and Molly Drane 69th. For the under 20 men, we had Finn Rafferty 34th and Joseph Grange 36th whist for the under 13 girls only Leila Robinson has faced the starter and finishing in a very satisfactory 33rd place.

Star performer of the day from a Chelmsford view point has to be Megan Harris in the senior women's for taking eighth place this must line her up for further international selection.

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft.