The winter season is well underway and C&C are already achieving great things!
My last post went out just prior to the National Cross Country Relays at Mansfield, where our Senior Men were defending their National title that they won in fine style last year. They didn’t quite manage a repeat performance, but they did medal for the 3rd season in a row, still a fantastic achievement. It was great to see Callum Elson back in the team following his awful injury at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year. He’s not back to full fitness yet, but he’s on his way.
Also at these Championships, our U15 Boys team won Gold! This means that the three of them: Finn MacLennan, Harry Cantell and Harrison Pearson, have now won the Southern Road Relays, the National Road Relays, and now the National Cross Country Relays. What a fantastic trio of victories! Well done to them, and to coach Ric Park.
C&C’s unbeatable U15 Boys!
At the East of England Masters Cross Country Championships Stef Godfrey and Sharon Warren each won individual gold medals in their age group, with Alan Pritchard winning a bronze medal in his category.
Alan on his way to Eastern glory!
There was more Masters success at the Brighton 10k where both Nicola McBride and Ellen Leggate both had storming runs. This was a qualifying race for the England Masters Team, and both successfully qualified for selection for the National team. This is particularly sweet for Nicola, who has qualified for the team twice before, only to be injured and miss the opportunity. Her last injury put her out of running for a long period and she must have wondered at times if she would ever get back to her previous standard. Now she is running superbly again, which must be a real joy for her. Nicola and Callum are great examples of never giving up when fighting back from injury.
The 8th December is the date of the third of the six Frostbite League matches. This one is at March. There was a fine team turn-out and performance at the last match at Peterborough. We came 2nd on the day, and moved up from 3rd to 2nd in the series overall standings. C&C have only ever won the Frostbite League twice, in 2011 and 2012. In the last two years we have finished 2nd and 3rd. Hunts are the team to beat, they have won it for the last 4 years in a row, and are the current league leaders again this season. Wouldn’t it be great if we could really push them this time? If you want to have a good track season next summer, building strength in these types of events over the winter is one the best things that you can do.
C&C’s Frostbite Team at Peterborough in November.
The Junior race starts at 10.15, the Senior race at 11.00. Let’s have a massive turn-out and hunt down Hunts!
Looking ahead to next year’s Cambridge Half Marathon, and I have been asked by the organisers if C&C could help to man a Water Station as follows:
Drinks Station 2
Barton Road Layby – just before Queen’s College Sports Ground
Meeting time approx. 8am, to ensure station setup by 9am to allow the course to be signed off by event control
First athlete approx. 10.00am
Last athlete approx. 12pm
There are some perks for volunteering including half price entry to next years event!
To volunteer please follow this link: https://teamwass.rosterfy.eu/login
Once again this month, C&C have shown what can be achieved across all age groups. It’s so great to see.
Best of luck with your training and racing in December. Let’s keep it going!