Kent Cross Country League – season review
The Kent Cross Country League has drawn to a close for the season. The four-race series is open to all affiliated Kent clubs, schools and EA registered athletes; with categories and races for everyone from U13 Boys/Girls to V70/V65 Men/Women!
Being open to all athletes, there are 20 or so ‘elite’ runners at the front of the senior men/women’s competitions. Otherwise, the fields are packed and there is always a great race to be had regardless of where you end up finishing. It’s great to mix it with individuals and clubs from all over the county.
I was the lone representative for TRAC this year in the senior categories. However, we did have a good turnout for the juniors. Including four top 10 finishes in the U20W! It would be great to get some larger teams together for next year’s competition.
Round 1 – Swanley Park, Swanley
A venue familiar to those who run in the Kent Fitness League cross country. Good conditions on the day made for some sharp racing at the front. The course being slightly modified to avoid crossing the miniature railway which was in use. Only a few weeks post London Marathon, I was happy with my race performance.
Round 2 – Somerhill School, Tonbridge
Probably the best cross-country course I have raced, in the beautiful surroundings of Somerhill School’s grounds. The route had the perfect mixture of challenging hills, fast descents and firm terrain underfoot. I started out steady and built into the race, ending with a faster finish.
Round 3 – Danson Park, Bexleyheath
No senior men at this event, so I can’t comment on the course. But our juniors achieved some great results.
Round 4 – Footscray Meadows, Sidcup
I found this course to be the most challenging. There is not as much elevation here as some other courses, but uneven footings in places made for tiring work. I finished the race feeling a bit disappointed, but on reflection, I still achieved a solid finishing position.
Round 5 – Norman Park, Bromley
Not your typical cross-country course, with almost no elevation! Without hills, this was fast and furious. I set off at a fast pace and held on as best I could. I was rewarded with my best finishing position of the season.
Results
Overall league positions are based on completing all races in the series. This is something that many of the ‘elite’ runners do not do, so I was pleasantly surprised with an overall 9th place! I gained loads of experience from racing this year, and I hope to do even better next season.
|
Category |
Name |
Mt 1 |
Mt 2 |
Mt 3 |
Mt 4 |
Mt 5 |
Overall |
|
SM |
Jack Bradley |
36 |
34 |
NA |
31 |
18 |
9 |
|
U20W |
Natalie Nicoll |
13 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
NA |
3 |
|
U20W |
Isobel Tyler |
15 |
15 |
15 |
11 |
NA |
5 |
|
U20W |
Lucy Hulm |
17 |
18 |
16 |
14 |
NA |
7 |
|
U20W |
Maddison Morters |
18 |
19 |
18 |
13 |
NA |
8 |
|
U17M |
Louis Eldred |
14 |
17 |
16 |
– |
NA |
17 |
|
U15B |
Aiden Cooper |
– |
34 |
– |
– |
NA |
78 |
|
U15G |
Sophie Gower |
– |
– |
33 |
– |
NA |
59 |
|
U13G |
Maisie Kemp |
29 |
19 |
– |
– |
NA |
42 |
Well done to all who took part in this race series and big thanks to Jack Bradley for the season report.