National Cross-country Championships 2005
by Simon Rutherford & Andy Bell
Last Saturday saw a number of Cambridge athletes competing in their national cross-country championships, a racing experience of the highest calibre over some seriously macho courses. The English champs were held at Cofton Park in Birmingham, and attracted a phenomenal number of runners, with 3114 senior men from all across the nation registered for competition!! Those who took part were treated to one of the year's best cross-country courses, beautiful clear skies, and a bone chilling northern wind... Plus a whole load of furious mud-churning, elbow-barging and general racing rage.
Run of the day went to Emma Pooley, who continued her fine season, building on 12th place at the Southerns (on 29th Jan) to finish 46th in the Senior Women's race, her best ever position in the Nationals... and this after two weeks of crippling tonsillitis - the Legend of Pooley is stronger than ever. Cambridge's other top finishers included Blues runner Owain Bristow (43rd in the Junior Men) and John Solly (244th in the Senior Men), both excellent results in very strong - not to mention outrageously huge - fields.
Ali Connell made the trip back up north to compete in the Scottish National Champs, coming 18th in the Junior Men's race. He also claimed a team victory under the banner of Giffnock North AAC. Meanwhile, in the Senior Welsh Championships on Sunday, the beast that is Will George finished an amazing 6th overall, and was first U23 man across the line. A truly outstanding achievement, from a fresher whose potential in the realm of Blues sport seems to grow each time he competes.
See here for results.