CLC Striders Race Report from Race Day One of the Midland / Birmingham regional XC leagues
Midland Ladies Cross-Country League, 2024-2025 Season, Division 1, Race 1
Abington Park, Northampton - Hosted by Rugby & Northampton AC
Saturday 9 November 2024 saw CLC Striders competing in Race Day ne in their respective regional cross-country leagues – the ladies travelling to Northampton to race in Division One of the Midland League and the men staying at home to race in Pittville Park, Cheltenham in Division Two of the Birmingham and District League. Conditions were near-perfect for cross-country: overcast, still and surprisingly firm underfoot.
Due to lots of clashing commitments on the day, the ladies were struggling to muster their mandatary four runners, until Hifsa O’Kelly stepped in, changing her son’s birthday party plans to join the team and demonstrating the wonderful spirit of the club in the process. This meant that four CLC Striders ladies made the trip up to Abingdon Park in Northampton to represent the club in their incredibly competitive Division One.
After the long journey, Helen Knight finished in the top 50, in 47th place as the 4th finisher in the Masters category. Liza Bradshaw was next home in 70th overall and 14th Master. Steph Parker was 112th and Hifsa O’Kelly, saving the day, in 133rd. Overall, the ladies were 15th in the team standings but an incredible 3rd in the Masters standings.
CLC Striders ladies cross country team From left to right: Helen Knight, Steph Parker, Liza Bradshaw and Hifsa O’Kelly
Birmingham & District Invitation Men’s Cross-Country League, 2024-2025 Season, Division 2, Race 1
Pitville Park, Cheltenham - Hosted by Cheltenham & County Harriers
The men competed over familiar territory around Pittville Park in an event hosted by Cheltenham and District Harriers. No fewer than 24 runners turned out for their club, which made for a great team spirit on the day.
Dependable as always, Rob Green was first to finish for the club, earning a top-10 placing in 9th as the 3rd placed Master. Barely a minute behind him was Joe Willgoss in 26th place, and then came Rob Barnett in 39th and the returning-to-form Tom Burgess in 43rd. With four CLC Striders finishing in the top 50, the A Team scorers were completed by John Comer in 58th and James Endicott in 81st.
The next six home, making up the B-Team scorers, were Gavin Woods in 83rd, Chris Driskell in 103rd, club debutant Eddie Rollason in 104th, Jon Howes in 117th, Richard Aarons in 119th and co-captain Adam Greenwood in 121st.
Other finishers were Tom Foster, making his club debut, in 134th, Liam Richardson in 143rd, Will Pearce in 149th, Rob Hyams in 160th, Tim Brock in 169th, Andy Richardson, making his cross-country debut, in 174th, co-captain Dan Bazzard in 179th, Eoin McQuone in 183rd, Jack Wilde in 192nd, Joel Freeland in 210th, Andrew Danson in 218th and Colin Upton in 220th.
With such an epic turnout, the men finished as 5th A Team and 5th B Team and 4th Masters A Team and 4th masters B Team. All-in all, a solid start to the new season in Division Two.
CLC Striders mens cross country team Back row: Tom Foster, Gavin Woods, Jack Wilde, Andrew Danson, Colin Upton, Eoin McQuone, Andrew Richardson, Richard Aarons, Rob Barnett Middle row: Eddie Rollason, Rob Hyams, Joe Willgoss, Dan Buzzard, Tim Brock, Tom Burgess, Rob Green Front row: Will Pearce, Liam Richardson, Joel Freeland, Adam Greenwood