NEHL Thornley Hall Farm 10th February 2018

Despite my report from last time and the reputation that the course earned last year, Thornley Hall Farm saw the joint highest turnout of Claremont Road Runners this cross-country season.  This is a proper cross-country course with some steep climbs, uneven ground and some very muddy areas.  Thankfully the weather was kind on the day but I think we all found it tough and there were some very tired bodies at the end.

Grace Scott started us off in the under 11s and then showed that not only will she become an excellent runner but she will be in demand for babysitting duties too.  Grace made sure that young Charlotte Kerr was well entertained so that Mum (Sarah) could once again lead the Claremont ladies home.  Sarah was followed home by the 4 runners starting from the medium pack – Lucy Dunbar, Mandy Herworth, Catherine Young and Sarah Bowen for a very good 3rd place finish in the 2nd Division.

There is an individual competition based on the 4 best performances in the Harrier League and Lucy is now in a very impressive 10th place in the Senior Women’s table.  Rose Hawkswood is also well-placed in 21st.

For once, we had more in the men’s race than the ladies one and, for the first time this season, a male starting from the medium pack – John Lea-Wilson.  As John was full of cold, he found it a bit hard but I am sure that he will benefit from the experience (and come flying past me!) next time out at Alnwick.  We did have 12 runners but unfortunately David Devennie is not in the results below as he had to pull out injured at the end of lap 2.  The best that can be said for the rest of us is that we got around!