Active Training World Cross Country – Merchant Taylors

Richard Slade and Aran Davidson

A great turnout of over sixty Chiltern Harriers took part in the third ATW cross country meeting at Merchant Taylors School on Saturday.   RESULTS
 
In grey, chilly but still conditions, the course was quite firm and bumpy after a few weeks of dry weather and contained several taxing climbs for the runners.
 
The races again featured small waves of athletes triggering a chip as they ran over the start line. Results were up promptly and showed a good deal of success for Chiltern, the highlight being a win in the Senior Men’s race for Richard Slade.
 
The Under 11s were first off with boys and girls mixed together in the waves. In  high quality races Ellie Danner completed a great set of races to be highest placed harrier in fifth place. There was good packing from the other Chiltern girls with Kara Gorman sixth (same time of 8.45 as Ellie), Evelyn Wildman 15th, and Nia Clarke 16th.
 
For the U11 boys Tom Ford was second, George Mawby fourth, Charlie Quantrill seventh, Jacob McCall eighth, Felix Danielli ninth, Hugo Mundy tenth, Isaac McCall 14th, Luke Coultate 20th, and Jack Dixon 34th – a great showing from the boys.
 
In the U13 Girls race Emily Ford led in another strong team performance in third. Also running well were Lily Jessop-Tranter in sixth, Izzy Martin 8th, Marlie Nkoane 12th, Olivia Clarke 13th, Jocelyn Davies 16th, Lydia Cross 24th, Issy Robinson 32nd, Rebecca Lawson 37th, Beth Togneri 43rd, and Keya Kara 49th.
 
Alex Hughes and Daniel Munn had a good battle in the U13 boys race to be second and third respectively. Also doing well in Chiltern colours were Callum Powell 12th, James Holdsworth 22nd, and Charlie De Sousa 35th.
 
Maddie Hughes was highest placed in the U15 Girls race in fifth. Backing her up were Frankie Baxter tenth, Sofia Lomas 16th, Ellie Shield 19th, Lesedi Nkoane 24th, Hannah Ashby 28th, Jo Snelling 30th, and Savarnah Pandya 34th.
 
Thomas Redmond was up against England international Ben Peck in the U15 Boys race and did well to hold him to nine seconds. Good packing came from Oakley Denson eighth, Archie Pinder ninth, Euan Pinder 11th, Sammy Bennetts 12th, Max Baxter 15th, Isaac Jessop-Tranter 16th, Ethan McCall 23rd, and Jerry Anderson 27th.
 
In a small but high quality U17 Women’s race Charlotte Docwra ran well to be sixth. The U17 Men had a great turnout and the team was led in by James Palmer in fourth. James was backed up by Luke Martin 11th, Angus Stoneham 14th, Thomas Askey 18th, Will Shield 20th, and Henry Webb 25th.
 
The Senior Women had a solid turnout and the team was led in by Bex Nkoane in fourth with Lean Ni Chiobhain fifth and Louise Martin 11th. Also featuring were Katie Royals 22nd, Fiona Kelleher 28th, Cath Holloway 35th, Miriam Kempson 47th, Fiona Williams 49th, Jo Murray 51st, and Tamsin Finch 61st..
 
Richard Slade made the trip back from Bath University to win the Senior Men’s race powering up the final circuit to pull clear by 13 seconds at the end. Aran Davidson was fifth and Nick Hughes tenth. Backing up were Mike Worsfold 58th, Glen Martin 80th, and Trevor Brawn 103rd.

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