RAF v Eastern Counties v Cambridge University
Cambridge Girls Fly to Victory
CUH&H v Eastern Counties v RAF
Magog Downs 29th October 2011
In the build-up to the Varsity races in December, things are looking promising for Cambridge's cross-country runners following their match against the Eastern Athletic Association and the Royal Air Force on the Magog Downs on Saturday. The hilly Gog Magog course and breezy conditions provided a stern test of running against the stunning backdrop of the city of Cambridge.
In the women's 5.4 km race, fresher Rebecca Moore demolished the field to take a commanding victory by over a minute. With Mairead Rocke securing the 1-2 and strong runs by Alice Duncan (6th) and Joanna Mobed (11th), the Cambridge girls claimed the team win.
The men's team found things a little harder over their 10.4 km course against a particularly strong Eastern Counties outfit. Club Captain Will Mackay was first Cambridge runner home in 4th place while fresher Will Ryle-Hodges had a stormer of a race to take 6th. The A team was completed by solid performances by Matt Halliday (9th) and Pete Townsend (11th) hence the Cambridge men were able to take 2nd place ahead of the RAF.
With 11 ladies and 20 men donning the light blue vests, the strength in depth of the Cambridge teams was also evident. So despite missing several key runners in both the men's and women's races due to injury and illness, the confidence of the Cambridge team should definitely be boosted by the day's racing.