Cross country focus pays off
Team Bath AC’S decision to target the 2021/22 Gloucestershire Cross Country League paid off handsomely as the club produced one of their best all-round performances in the event.
In the men’s race they placed their leading two runners in the top ten and squeezed five in 20 to finish just five points adrift of newcomers Western Tempo – a breakaway from Cheltenham & County Harriers – in the team competition.
In addition, they finished first B team in fifth overall, first C team in 11th and second in the masters team competition.
A resurgent women’s squad, led by new signing Amber Gascoigne in fifth place, also made their presence felt as they placed third team behind the University of Bath squad and Cheltenham.
The club’s B squad placed seventh overall and second in that category behind the Bath students while the third-string were second C team behind Cheltenham.
Gascoigne, who was top veteran over-40, was backed up by Heather Fell and Ruth Mckean to win the masters team competition.
Encouragingly for the future, the young athletes also served up some notable results. Brothers Harry and Joshua Maxwell took a one-two in the under-15 boys’ race, as did Charlie Lloyd-bostock and Toby-lee Loughlin in the under-13s age group.
In both events Team Bath won the team event with Alex Hearn and Jack Wells providing solid support.
Dylan Stoneman was fifth in the under-17 men’s race and both Rory Osborne and Maxi Bastable made the top ten in the under-11s novice race.
Sophie Maxwell finished fourth in the under-13 girls’ race and Ella Treby was fourth under-20 competing in the senior competition.
“It was a great day for the club,” said endurance coach Paul King.
“We wanted to create the type of atmosphere that showed cross country is great fun and to get as many runners out as possible to enjoy it.
“We did that and full marks to the organisers for providing a fantastic course at Cirencester Park, which had something of everything in it – including lots of mud.”
It is worth noting that two years ago Team Bath’s men trailed eventual champions Cheltenham by 50 points after the opening fixture but with only five points separating the top two on Saturday the league title is wide open.
Inspired by new signing Andy Fooks, who made a strong debut to finish fifth just ahead of Aidan Daniel plus solid support from Dan Jones, Robert Eaton, Aaron Pritchard and Eliot Ball to complete the scoring Team Bath showed they mean business this winter.
“I think that is probably the best performance we have ever had for an opening match since I have been involved,” said men’s captain James Donald.
“Last year it was almost game over after the first match but now it is game on. Five points is nothing.”
Women’s team captain Amy Glynn was equally happy with their strong start to the campaign.
“We had a lot of new girls out and everyone ran really well,” said Glynn.
“Now we have to try and keep it up and it would be nice to get out similar numbers for the rest of the fixtures.”
BOX-BASED ultra distance star and former Running Bath/chron competition winner Damian Hall finished runner-up in the Westonbirt half marathon on Sunday.
Hall was happy with his time of 1hr 20mins 26secs over an undulating course that also included some short sections of trail conditions.
GEORGIE Wells placed sixth (48:09) in the Calne 10k road race with Team Bath clubmate Phil King was seventh (39:20).
NICK Worboys opted for the Coventry half marathon clocking a time of 1:35.44.
The athletics coverage in the Chron is sponsored by Running Bath