With the weather turning, it was clear sign that the Cross-Country season was back with us for the 2022/23 season. Twelve JJs made the trip to Sunderland for the traditional curtain raiser at the Sunderland Harriers Farringdon Relays. A 1.8 mile undulating lap of hard ground and a puddle in the traditional water jump waited the runners.
Women’s Race
The women set off first with Laura Chapman looking like she was meaning business, leading the field round the open field at the start. Laura, who is in full marathon training, used her strength to push hard and come home 8 seconds down in second place behind the Sunderland Harrier and 43 seconds faster than last year and the 3rd fastest JJ time of the day. Straight after her leg, Laura set off on a 21 mile training run back to Jesmond to keep her marathon training on track. Sophie Reynolds then set off and had a stormer to take off 50 seconds from last years’ time to bring home the JJs in 3rd place. In form Liz Heard took off for the last leg and against tough competition brought the JJs home in a respectable 5th place and going under 13mins, a great achievement. A great start to the XC season for the women.
5th Laura Chapman 10:54 Sophie Reynolds 13:08 Liz Heard 12:48
Men’s Race
With the women showing the way, the JJ men had two teams on the start line. 19 years after running at the Farringdon cross country for the first time, the talented Jake Archer led the A team out with debutant Calvin Marsland leading off the B team. Jake ran a superb 10:11, taking off 33 secs off last year and Calvin a great 11:02, to record the 4rd fastest JJ time of the day. Niran Patel and Cliff Veitch were off next with great runs. Mark Adamson and Angus Routledge went off on the 3rd legs both running solid times and handing over to Joe Kirtley, another making his JJs debut and running a very solid time of 10:39 and Angus Miller. Angus brought home the B team with a good 12:09, showing that the recent foray in to Ultra Running hasn’t dented his speed. The A team manged a good 9th place with the B team coming home in 19th. Well done men, looking forward to the first NEHL race of the season.
9th Thomas Jake Archer 10:11 Niran Patel 11:06 Mark Adamson 11:03 Joe Kirtley 10:39
19th Calvin Marsland 11:02 Cliff Veitch 12:27 Angus Routledge 12:01 Angus Miller 12:09
Simon Wells 4/9/22