The final race and Championship for the South Yorkshire League took place on a very cold, grey, windy and eventually wet day in Doncaster. There was a good turnout for the club despite the winter lurgies and odd injury taking its toll and our overall team score at the end of this season lifted us to 3rd place in the League – quite a remarkable achievement from everyone who has turned out and run in the series this season considering we ended last year just missing relegation to Division 2. Well done everyone! All of you who have competed this season have made a contribution.
As we have come to expect this season, there were some notable individual and team performances. Jacob Clark was the first U20 Man home, followed closely by Adam Newton in 2nd and James Gray in 3rd, taking all 3 Championship individual medals in the U20 Age Group. The six man Senior team was completed by Howard Wood (4th Man), Mick Thompson (5th Vet 50 and not feeling great – thanks Mick!) and Glenn Hardy, (12th Vet 40 and recovering from the night before) taking the Senior Men’s team Championship Silver medal.
Helen Elleker completed the season as 5th Vet 55 in the Ladies race and 4th overall in the League competing in 3 league matches and marshalling the one she didn’t run in. Thank you Helen!
U17 Man Joe Lancaster took the Championship Gold in a fine return to form and a nail biting sprint over the last 50 metres.
Our U17 Ladies took Championship team Gold with Beth Ansell leading the team home in 4th, Eve Pound 5th, Calvi Thompson 7th and Susannah Curran in 11th. Eve also took 3rd place overall in the League.
U15 Boys. What can I say? It was the last race. Most people had gone inside out of the teeming icy rain and wind to wait for the presentation so there was very little support for you out on the course (I was in the gazebo….). Well done to both Joe Hibbert (6th) and Matt Chaib (8th)
The U15 Girls had a storming run taking team Championship Gold, led home by Ellie Curran in 1st, Sophie Taylor (4th), Anina Atkinson (5th) and Georgia Hird (7th). Ellie went on to take 1st place overall in the League.
Our U13 Boys also did exceptionally well with Alfie Manthorpe taking Championship Gold in 1st place, Joe Morton 3rd, and Morgan Bishell 8th. Unfortunately injury had struck and they were one athlete short of a team or they’d have also taken the Championship team prize. Joe Morton also took League 2nd place overall.
The U13 Girls have had tough competition this year all being younger in the age group and, compared to their rivals, relatively inexperienced. They’ve done tremendously well. Amelia Lancaster took Championship 3rd place and just missed out on overall League 3rd place too. Megan Storey showed that wet and windy doesn’t put her off and finished in 8th, with Emily Simpson hard on her heels in 9th. Mariella De Lara ran a courageous race and completed the team in 12th place, with Poppy Nolan finishing in 19th.
U11 Boys. Well done lads! Team Championship Gold led by Kaya Walker who took individual 1st place in the Championships and 1st place in the League. Joseph Martin finished 13th, with Cameron Walker following in 18th. Nathan Ramsay picked up speed and completed the scoring team in 20th position, with Peter Sykes not far behind in 21st.
Olivia Hogan was the 1st U11 Girl City of Sheffield athlete home in 7th place, with Mariana Wood Bonelli and Erin Bartholomew doing a great bit of team running and finishing 12th and 14th respectively.
I have collected medals for Joseph Martin, Nathan Ramsay, Mick Thompson, Glen Hardy and Adam Newton. I’ll see some of you on Wednesday at the EIS and the rest of you as and when!
Commiserations to those of you who I know wanted to be there but were struck down by illness. Sophie and Catherine Kebell - you’ve been great competitors, keep smiling, there is always next season…. Oliver – no more rugby for you! Laura – keep taking the tablets and get fit for the Yorkshires. Simon and Martin, Eleanor - get well soon. Sam - you're on my email list now..... And anyone else I missed!
For U11s there are some indoor track competitions and you have the summer athletics to look forward to. For the rest of you, I hope to see many of you at the County, Regional and National Championships after Christmas, and may bump into you at the indoor competitions beforehand. Don't forget that there is a club open night at Sweatshop in Meadowhall on Friday 16th - 20% off!
Full results including overall League positions can be found at www.sycaa.co.uk under the Cross Country tab. Have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas break, and best wishes for the New Year!
Kind regards
Isabelle
And thank you Isabelle for doing all of the organising for these matches, it's much appreciated.
