Shropshire Cross Country Championships

10th January 2009 , Lilleshall.

SAC fielded athletes from U13 through to the Seniors in this years County Championships, run over the icy course in near Arctic conditions. For the large part the ground was frozen solid which made for difficult footing, and was not to everyones liking.

Juniors - U13
In the U13 Boys, four runners set off with Ben Ashcroft again a challenger at the head of the field. A comfortable display from Ben resulted in a 4th place finish, clear of any threat from the 5th place runner and with it selection to the County Squad.
Further down the field two of our younger runners who had ran so strongly in the U11 competition this year took on their more senior rivals at this longer distance. Ross Kirby was next SAC runner, coming home a very well earned 23rd while Luke Howes put in an solid even paced run capped off with a great sprint finish to finish in 32nd.
Daniel Lucas again demonstrated his improvement in his debut season with a strong run in 27th.

4th - Ben Ashcroft, 11m 08s
23rd - Ross Kirby, 12m 34s
27th - Daniel Lucas, 12m 53s
32nd - Luke Howes, 13m 08s


Senior Women
Anna Bartlett was the sole representative in the senior womens race, and again cemented her place in the higher echelons of the county runners. A 5th place overall, and 1st in the Vet Ladies just rewards for another strong performance from the ever ready Bartlett.

5th Anna Bartlett, 22m 22s


Senior Men
Track star Andy Beeston joined the ranks of the X Country team which was depleted through a combination of injury/illness and work commitments. The team of 6 performed well enough to secure the 2nd Team prize, sandwiched between Telford 'A' and 'B' teams.
Steve France & Dom Kirby lead the way for SAC with a strong run together as they tried to break up the domination from the Telford team. France finished strongly again to secure 9th place, with Kirby trailing 20seconds back in 11th.
Evergreen veteran and Club Captain Graham Jones was next up in 14th place showing Kev Francis how its done. Francis, who was quietly celebrating his birthday finished 16th.
18th was where Steve Waters finished after a recent heavy training schedule took its toll, while Beeston completed the team placings in 31st.

9th Steve France, 34m
11th Dom Kirby, 34m 20s
14th Graham Jones, 34m 57s
16th Kevin Francis, 36m
18th Steve Waters, 36m 26s
31st Andy Beeston, 39m, 10s


Next date in the XC calendar (Seniors)is this Saturday, 17th January with a trip to Wrexham in the North Wales Cross Country League. SAC continue the defence of the title won last year.