Despite illness and injury, there was still another excellent turnout for the 3rd Sussex cross country league held in Stanmer park. With one league meeting to go, we have four teams top of their leagues and one in joint 1st place.
In the Under 13 girls’ race, Gracie, with her best race to date, led the team home in 6th place, and with Seren 8th and Elodie scoring for the first time in 19th, the team were 3rd on the day and are still top of the league by 10 points. There was great support from Mia P, 20th, Kira 21st, Evie 25th, Lola 27th, Juliana despite a heavy cold 29th, Claudia having her first race for the club, 34th and Mia D, 37th. The B team were in 6th place, and the 1st B team.
In the Under 13 boys’ race, George had another excellent run in 2nd, and with Taylor 6th and Oliver 7th, they were the 2nd team on the day and are now joint leaders with Eastbourne. Not far behind and all in the first year in the age group, Louis 9th, Joaquin 10th and Seb 15th, all having their best runs, were the 3rd team on the day. Good support also came from Ben 27th; Dominic 32nd Felix having his first race for the club 45th; and Elliott R was 52nd.
In Under 15 girls’ race, Julieana, also suffering with a cold, led the team home in 8th and with Merle 18th, Angelina 20th Naomi 22nd, and Leily 33rd. They were the 5th team on the day and are 4th in the league.
The Under 15 boys completely dominated as they have done all season, with Finlay completing a hat trick of wins, he is this year’s Sussex league champion, and with Tom M 3rd and Saul 5th, the team are now leading by a massive 58 points. The B team was led home by Freddie M, having his best race in 7th, Tom B 8th and Alex 9th; they were the 3rd team on the day and are now 3rd in the league, 47 points clear of the 4th team. Well done also to James 19th Lewis 24th and Sam 41st.
The Under 17 women ran with the seniors and with over a hundred finishers Dulcie had an excellent run in 3rd (8th), Rosie not far behind 5th (12th), Marnie 10th (31st) and Nicole had her best run in 12th (39th) the team were clear winners and have moved to the top of the league by 24 points.
In the Under 17 men’s race Charlie 2nd, Jude 3rd and Rowan 6th, all had excellent runs and like the women are also 24 points clear of the 2nd team. The B team were led home by Rory in 12th, Reuben W 21st, Freddie-Ray 22nd, Ruben Di Carlo 23rd and Reuben O 24th. They were again the 1st B team.
Prior to the league races in the u/11 race Isaac was 12th Jesse 13th and Eli 15th.
Well done to all the athletes. The last League meeting is on 11th February in Stanmer Park.
by Pete Witcomb