Gloucestershire XC League 2021/22, Race 2 - Pittville
Results & Report.
I think it’s fair to say last Sunday saw some of the most atrocious conditions ever seen at a cross country fixture but Tewkesbury RC members proved yet again that a little wind & rain isn’t going to stop them from competing!
Once again, our ladies led the way as an 8 strong contingent battled their way around a two lap 6.5 km course at a windswept Pittville Park in Cheltenham.
The route at Pittville included the famous water crossing through the narrow stream that runs along from the lake but even this wasn’t enough to sink our runners who dealt with the harsh conditions admirably.
Leading our ladies home was William Holyoak who once again donned the familiar black & amber vest of TRC to run a fine race in the U17s category.
Finishing in 8th place in a time of 31.15, the youngster demonstrated yet again that he will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with when he eventually steps up to the senior ranks.
Talking of which, they don’t come more senior than Mungo Park. Appearing at a XC event for the first time in a long while, the Tartan Terror looked at home in the wild weather finishing 4th in his age category.
The first of our ladies to finish was Sue Baldwin. Sue had been something of a hobbyist when it came to running but these days she has become the woman to beat in the ladies division, recording some pretty mean times in the process.
Sunday proved to be no exception as she romped home in 38.35 to finish 6th in her category.
What was particularly pleasing to see was that most of the Tewkesbury contingent were bunched together, no doubt all eager to push each other on in very demanding conditions.
No sooner had Sue finished than that old warhorse Carol Cowley followed in her tracks just a few seconds later to claim yet another gold medal in her category to add to her ever growing trophy haul.
The Tewkesbury runners then started to come in thick and fast as Jane Sauer, making a steady return after injury, completed the “A Team” with some of the most colourful leggings ever seen since the days of Mr Motivator...
Talking of fitness legends, Mungo Park followed Jane over the finish line, the mighty Scotsman towering over his fellow competitors like Gandalf surrounded by a load of hobbits.
There was nothing small about the efforts of Sarah Dennis