SAC Running Report 16/12/10

Shrewsbury Athletic Club made a successful trip to Wrexham to compete in the third fixture of the North Wales Cross Country League. In the absence of Ian Howarth and Pete Middleton, Kevin Francis rose to the occasion, producing one of his highest placings in the Series, finishing in 15th place, followed by Club Captain Graham Jones 25th, then Club newcomer Chris Penny 31st in his debut race, Paul Clarke 46th, Steve Turk 51st and Chris Wakeman completing the team placings in 61st. In the Womens’ Race, Claire Burgoyne produced her highest placing in the Series, storming to 4th place, ahead of Anna Bartlett 8th ,Emma Sheekey, 70th and Sheila Richards 88th. In the Team events, the Club achieved 2nd place in the Senior Men and Masters categories, while the Women achieved 2nd spot in the Division 2 category.

Wrexham Results:
Men: 15th Kevin Francis 32/01, 25th Graham Jones 33/10, 31st Chris Penney 33/19, 46th Paul Clarke 34/07, 51st Steve Turk 34/35, 61st Chris Wakeman 35/49, 70th Gary Harper 36/10, 118th Derek Owen 39/36, 148th Adam Stockwell 44/38..
Women: 4th Claire Burgoyne 20/04, 8th Anna Bartlett 20/37, 70 Emma Sheekey 27/23, 88th Sheila Richards 36/14.


In the Shropshire Hills Winter Series, Steve Cale continued his outstanding form, with 1st place in the Wrekin Wrecker in 56/28 and 2nd place in the Cardington Cracker in 1/13/50. In the Wrecker ,he was followed by Juan Castillo in 6th place in 66/16, with Anna Bartlett 16th and 1st Lady Vet over 40 in 68/58. At Cardington, he was followed by Kevin Francis 23rd in 1/30/47, Pete Ball 80th in 1/44/31 and Adam Stockwell 135th in 1/56/40, with Anna Bartlett 49th and 1st Lady Vet over 40 in 1/36/20. Cale currently leads the Series after three races.

The Shropshire County Cross Country Championships took place at Lilleshall, where, despite a low turnout of Shropshire clubs, the Club turned out one of their strongest squads, lead by the star trio of Steve Cale, Ian Howarth and Pete Middleton, to win the team Championships in the Senior Men and Veterans categories.

County Results:
Men: 3rd Steve Cale 27/33, 4th Ian Howarth 27/55, 6th Pete Middleton 28/06, 7th Kevin Francis 29/59, 8th Dom Kirby 30/11, 11th Steve Turk 32/35, 12th Tim Smith 32/46, 14th Chris Wakeman 33/26, 15th Derek Owen 37/06.
Women: 6th Rebecca Houston 31/20, 7th Emma Sheekey 32/53.