National Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships

The most prestigious cross country meeting of the season, the National Inter Counties, took place at a sunny Prestwold Hall, near Loughborough on Saturday. Thirty-Five Chiltern athletes were representing their counties.
 
Underfoot conditions were quite good but there were still some very muddy sections to negotiate on the tough undulating circuit around the attractive park.
 
Highlight of the day was a win for Buckinghamshire’s U13 Girls with Kara Gorman having another great run to be sixth, and second scorer.

Earlier four Chiltern U20 men had competed in the first race of the programme. James Palmer had a good run to be first Bucks scorer in 44th place. Luke Martin was third scorer in 134th, Charlie Stone was fifth finisher in 162nd and Ben Jackson 172nd.
 
It was then time for the U13 Girls and, despite a poor start, Kara Gorman worked her way steadily through the field to a brilliant sixth spot. The four Bucks scorers were all in the top 20 so secured a memorable win.
 
Hannah Wardley took part in the Senior Women’s race despite suffering from sore calves recently. Hannah ran a solid race to finish 88th, second Herts scorer.
 
There were plenty of Chiltern lads in the U15 Boys race, including the Pinder twins running for Herts. For Bucks Alden Collier had a solid run to be 16th. Isaac Jessop-Tranter had a good outing to be third scorer in 79th, and Alex Hughes was fourth scorer in 97th. Daniel Munn was right behind Alex in 98th having been badly spiked at the start. Daniel gamely pressed on but needed four stitches in his foot after the race. Max Baxter was 182nd and Rory Hilton 233rd. For Herts Archie Pinder in 25th, and Euan Pinder in 28th both had great runs, being first and second Herts scorers. In the team stakes Herts were 9th, Bucks 12th.
 
Bucks U17 women were 8th and featured a strong Chiltern presence. Maddie Hughes had another top ten finish in a major race to be ninth. Holly Henderson was third scorer in 72nd and Abbie Henderson fifth finisher in 109th. Charlotte Docwra was 111th, Ellie Shield 138th and Alice Brown 162nd.
 
Next up were the U20 Women and Katie Repper was first Bucks scorer in 83rd but unfortunately Alicia Bushell did not finish due to hip problems.
 
Bucks U17 Men were 23rd and featured contributions from Jerry Anderson, fourth scorer in 158th and Sammy Bennetts in 219th.
 
Tom Ford had another excellent run to be ninth in the U13 Boys race, and first Herts scorer. For Bucks James Holdsworth was third Bucks scorer in 120th.
 
In the U15 Girls race Emily Ford had a great run to be first Herts scorer in 45th. Frankie Baxter was second Bucks scorer in 96th. Other Chiltern girls involved were Lily Jessop-Tranter, fourth scorer in 126th, Sofia Lomas, seventh finisher in 202nd and Jocelyn Davies eighth finisher in 222nd.
 
Finally the Senior Men took to the circuit with four Chiltern men in the team. Richard Slade completed his great winter season in 51st place, first Bucks scorer. Aran Davidson was third scorer in an impressive 105th and Neil Turner was 262nd but James Repper had to dropout with injury.