The Kent Cross County Championships – Race Report
On Saturday 4th January, we took our Junior Thanet Roadrunners team to Brands Hatch for the Kent Cross Country Championships.
The first race of the day was for our under 13 girls. Natalia Austin led the way with a 3rd place finish followed by Millie Dack in 7th place, Grace Cummings in 17th place, Mercedes Mcgivern in 19th place and Ferne Pierce in 33rd place. The girls finishing positions secured the team a very impressive overall 3rd place podium.
Alex Dack was victorious with a 1st place finish in the under 13 boys race followed by Riley Maisey in 3rd place and Franklin Shepherd in 4th place. Despite the boys all being top finishers, points are secured by the first 4 finishers so being a “man down”, unfortunately the boys team didnt make the podium this time.
Our under 15 girls was led by Lola Sutton who finished in an impressive 9th place followed by Jenny Swandle finishing in 14th place. Isobel Tyler completed the team in 32nd place. The girls team secured a 5th place overall ranking.
Jack Stevens finished in 2nd place in the under 15 boys race with Dylan Leach finishing in 21st place. Louie Procopi finished in 30th place and our newest member, Finley Hickmott, finished in 54th place.
Aeryn Stretton took on the Under 17/20 womens race and finished in 13th place with a super sprint finish in the last 100 metres.
Congratulations to Natalia Austin, Alex Dack, Riley Maisey, Franklin Shepherd and Jake Stephens who all received an automatic selection to represent Kent at the Intercounties Cross Country being held at Preston Park in March. We also anticipate that some more of our junior’s will also be selected to take part.
It was an incredibly successful day for our juniors at The County Championships. Next up for them is the Kent Schools Cross Country Championships held at Duke of Yorks Military School on Saturday 18th January followed by the South of England Cross Country Championships at Parliament Hill the following weekend.
Everyone at the Club would like to say a huge congratulations to all of our junior runners that took part and continue to inspire all of us. A special mention to their coach Noel Sutton on the fantastic work that you do for our juniors.
