Youngsters shine Harriers’ golden day at championships
THERE were big successes for Cheltenham Harriers in the Gloucestershire County Championships and Gloucestershire League Round Two combined event at Bath University.
In the County Championships, Harriers had success across all age groups as Al Spurr continued his excellent form – winning gold, 17 seconds clear of second place.
Combining with Monty Wilkins and Noah Seabright, the Harriers boys took gold in the team competition and the B team of Max Harrison, Theo Green and Seb Heath took bronze.
In the Under-13 girls race, a silverbronze finish by Ellie Thomson and Martha Marsden set up a convincing win for the A team, with Megan Cowley fourth but combining with the other two to take team gold.
Completing the dominant performance, Ivy Wightman, Kimberley Hodgkinson and Rosie Atkins were next home to take team silver.
Jess Bailey produced a strong run to shrug off the conditions and win gold in the Under-11 girls. With Niamh Pettingel and Elena Williams finishing strongly, the Harriers took team gold.
In the boys race, Benjamin Lewis led the team home taking bronze while Lucas Oliveira and Henry Simpson completed the scoring to take another team gold for the Harriers.
Freddie Hole, Rufus Hack and Seb Cowley won the team bronze.
The Under-15s races had very difficult conditions underfoot but Maddie Thomson, continuing an excellent season, powered home to take individual gold.
Strong running from Rosie Reynolds and Jess Sheppard made sure that Cheltenham also took team gold.
The boys race saw the most dominant performances as Patrick Paul took gold a fraction ahead of Tom Wightman, with Teddy Spurr coming in for
bronze to make a Harriers clean sweep and secure the team win.
The B team of Rhys Haines, Oliver Wilson and Harry Knight took the team silver.
In the Under-17s, there was a one/ two finish in the ladies with Erin Musty taking gold and Izzy Watt silver while Harriet Smith completed the scoring to ensure team gold.
In the men’s race, Dom Martin and Sam Wilson had another brilliant race with Martin taking the gold 0.02 seconds
in front of Wilson.
Ben Yates completed the scoring team to bring home team gold.
Men’s under 20: gold Isaac Henderson; silver Jamie Bell. Team gold – Henderson, Bell, Patrick Davis.
Senior women: team silver - Jane Fairbairn, Petra Vymetalova, Marie Brush; vet 35 silver - Petra Vymetalova; vet 45 silver - Marie Brush; vet 50 gold - Jane Fairbairn.
Vets: team silver - Jane Fairbairn, Petra Vymetalova, Marie Brush.
Senior men: bronze Max Thompson; team gold – Isaac Henderson, Jamie Bell, Max Thompson, Robert Finch, Patrick Davis, Harrison Miles. Vet 65 silver - Michael Ede.