Essex XC Relays – Hockley

3 sets of medals in big Colchester Harriers turn out

The Winter Cross Country season kicked off at a very hilly Hockley course for the Essex Cross Country relay championships which gave more than 50 Harriers a tough test, especially as the weather was bordering on hot.

Although Harriers were weakened in the senior men’s race due to injuries, the ladies and mixed teams as well as the under 15 boys all came up with team medals.

Sarah Stradling was again in superb form and led the ladies to silver team medals. Stradling took the lead for the ladies on the second leg after a good first leg from Laura Shewbridge had settled Harriers into second position. Rebecca Cooke ran a fine anchor leg and was unlucky to finish second behind a strong Springfield Striders team.

The mixed team were involved in another tight contest, with bronze medals the final reward, behind Orion Harriers and Thurrock Harriers. The 4 Harriers to take the medals were Andrea James, Chris Sellens, Colin Ridley and the evergreen Denise Morley.

The under 15 boys produced a silver team medal performance thanks to Max Caulfield, Ziggy Lambton and Danny Millward. The race was closely contested with the first 4 teams finishing within 30 seconds of each other. The under 17’s were unlucky to finish 4th with great runs coming from Fergus Crouch, Jake Young and and Oscar Dawson.

Full Colchester Harriers results 2.7 mile XC legs.

Ladies A: Laura Shewbridge, Sarah Stradling, Becky Cooke. 2nd team
Ladies B: Hannah Watson, Ella Neal, Helen Bloomfield. 6th team
Ladies C: Debbie Cattermole, Fran Norris, Rachel Taylor. 13th team
Ladies D: Tonie Wilson, Rachel Rodgers

Mixed A team: Colin Ridley, Denise Morley, Chris Sellens, Andrea James. 3rd team
Mixed B team: Annette Oakman, Jon Nears, Heidi Steele, Mark Harrod. 5th team
Mixed C team: Vicky Presland, Becky Bjotter, Craig Mitchell, Richard Flutter. 8th team

Mens B team: Robbie Smith, Paul Rodgers, Ged McMillan, Keith Marley. 9th team
Mens C team: Craig Mitchell, Russell Goodridge, Chris Manby, Tim Ballard. 14th team
Mens D team: Simon Smith, Dan Marks, David Wright, Richard Pickering. 21st team
Mens E team: Ady Frost, James Waterson, Simon Morgan, Craig Harley. 24th team
Mens F team: Angus Holford, Pat Marsh, Chris Panton, Kevin MacAlinden. 19th team

Under 13 girls Milly Presland, Francesca Williamson 15:02, Grace Gardiner 12:56. 14th team

Under 15 girls A team:Jasmine West Lily Waterson, Jasmine Marley 9th team
Under 15 girls B team: Isabelle Minder, Hannah Rodgers, and Milly Presland running her second leg of the day 10th team

Under 15 boys: Max Caulfield, Ziggy Lambton, Danny Millward 2nd team
Under 17 men: Fergus Crouch, Jake Young, Oscar Dawson 4th team

A good turn out of juniors

U15 boys win silver. Danny Millward, Ziggy Lambton and Max Caulfield