SAC Running Report 26/11/09

Exceptionally rough weather and ground conditions were not enough to deter Shrewsbury Athletic Club’s cross country squad when they competed in the third fixture of The North Wales Cross Country League at Bangor, Gwynedd. Inspired performances by the team, experienced in difficult conditions, resulted in their highest placing and best points tally so far in the Series, finishing second team on the day behind Eryri Harriers and first in the Masters Team category. Lead home in style by Ian Coupland in 5th place, Pete Middleton, now firmly established as one of the Club’s top performers, followed in 8th place. Close competition followed for the next four team placings, Duncan Beales forging ahead of Club Captain Graham Jones, before being overtaken by Jones, the two finishing 24th and 26th. Next, places were exchanged between Steve Waters and Paul Clarke, with Waters overtaking near the end, the two finishing 49th and 51st.

Emma Sheekey and Sheila Richards were the sole Club competitors in the Womens’ Race, the Club team depleted because of injuries, the two finishing 64th and 81st.

Results:
5 Ian Coupland, 8 Pete Middleton, 24 Graham Jones, 26 Duncan Beales, 49 Steve Waters, 51 Paul Clarke, 78 Chris Wakeman, 133 Duncan Rose, 143 Adam Stockwell, 145 Phil Whittles.

Away from the cross country scene, top fell guy Steve Cale, has continued to take the fell running scene by storm, with outstanding performances in consecutive weekends, with second place in the Corndon Classic Fell Race in Church Stretton in 42/32, followed up by first place by nearly 6 minutes in the Wrekin Wrecker Fell Race in 59/30. At Corndon, Cale was followed by Pete Ball 14th in 51/49, Anna Bartlett 16th and 1st Lady in 52/08, Derek Owen 48th and 10th Vet over 50 in 63/51 and Gordon Trevor 62nd and 2nd Vet over 60 in 72/36. At the Wrekin Wrecker, Duncan Beales, not content with having competed in the arduous conditions of the Bangor cross country the previous day, turned in an admirable 8th place and 3rd in the Vet over 45 category in 72/05.

Club Captain Graham Jones’ impressive display at Bridgnorth, lead to his selection to represent Wales at the British Masters Athletic Federation’s British and Irish International Cross Country at Perry Park, Birmingham. Jones rose to the occasion, achieving 30th place in the Veterans Over 50 Category in 33/20, helping the Welsh team to 4th place in the age category event.

The Club are staging their inaugural Severn Loop 5K Race on Sunday 27th December 2009 in the Quarry Park in Shrewsbury, starting at 10.30am and with a Junior 2K Race starting at 10.00am. With the race likely to become another popular local event for runners of all abilities, a limit of 500 entries has been set, with pre-entries closing on 18th December 2009. Entries will be accepted on the day, subject to availability, for the 5K race, but for the Junior(Under 17) 2K Race, entries will be on the day only. Entry forms can be accessed at http://shropshirerunnersnetwork.blogspot.com/