NEHL Wrekenton, 19th January 2025
Wrekenton, the incongruously urban, traditionally balmy opening to the cross-country season. One can be reasonably confident of drier, firmer ground than the muddy bogs that come later in the year, with almost uncomfortably warm temperatures that see the runners sweat their way round Whitehills Nature Park.
Not this year. Due to the fixture re-shuffle, runners arrived to today’s overcast event in January rather than September, to be greeted by temperatures hovering at around 1 degree celcius, ice, thick frost, and a breeze that could be variously described as ‘stiff’ and ‘bitter’. Any mud to be found was frozen solid.
After only a couple of junior races, the wails of distressed children could be heard echoing among the tents, as those opting to run in just vest, shorts and no gloves, found their extremities succumbing to uncomfortable degrees of chilled numbness.
Danielle O’Brien was not one of the wailers, sticking gamely to the task at hand, earning her cosy tent retreat for the rest of the duration.
Up next were the senior women, 8 of our brave ladies facing down the arctic blast with steely determination. Jenny Roberts made her first Harrier League appearance of the season (though due to the two cancellations already suffered, this was only the third fixture to take place, and the first since October) and Holly Porter was the first Claremonter over the line, finishing impressively high up a field of 342.
Of the 6 men, 4 were attending their first league fixture this season. One of these, Chris Jones, finished highest, despite Jim Crinnion doggedly tailing him throughout the 3 laps. Unfortunately, despite their valiant efforts, no points were accrued for the team tally, with Ari Hodgson re-aggravating his achilles due to a stumble on the second lap, seeing him withdraw from the race. Hopefully a speedy recovery is on the cards for Ari. Our remaining men no doubt felt rewarded enough, by their character-building afternoon cos-playing as arctic foxes.
The Sherman Cup/Davison Shield race at Temple Park is up next in February. Double-digits is highly unlikely, but a slight rise in temperature would probably be appreciated by everyone! Big thanks as usual to everyone who gave lifts, wrangled the tent, and baked lovely treats.
| U11 Girls | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 79 | Danielle O’Brien | 11:07 |
| Women | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 70 | Holly Porter | 31:06 |
| 137 | Sarah Kerr | 32:49 (Fast pack, actual time 27:48) |
| 165 | Nina Jensen | 33:16 |
| 186 | Jenny Roberts | 33:48 |
| 205 | Yana Bevan | 34:30 |
| 208 | Cate Walker | 34:41 |
| 219 | Nicki O’Brien | 35:13 (Medium pack, actual time 32:42) |
| 237 | Hazel Juggins | 36:27 |
| Men | ||
|---|---|---|
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 227 | Chris Jones | 43:20 |
| 242 | Jim Crinnion | 43:50 |
| 317 | Alex Harding | 46:50 |
| 331 | David Lydall | 47:33 |
| 389 | David Devennie | 57:58 |
| DNF | Ari Hodgson |
Thanks to Nina and Jenny for additional photos.
