Arriving at around 1pm members of the Westbury Harriers planning to run the national cross country championships at Alton Towers were greeted with some of the most shocking conditions most could remember experiencing! A sight more reminiscent of Glastonbury, the regular sound of the ambulance siren, a worrying indicator of the safety issues that plagued the early junior races. The ladies race was delayed by 20 minutes whilst organisers reworked the course to avoid the most dangerous sections.
As Keith Brackstone pointed out today was about "survival" and it certainly was as all the Harriers returned home safely. Debbie Marsden led the team home in 73rd place, in a time of 27.49 for a revised 4m route. Next home for the Harriers was Tamsin Chick finished 129th, Zoe Dixon was 192nd and Evita Gonzalez was 300th. The team finished 22nd overall. The winner of the race was Louise Damen, with Hatti Dean second and Liz Yelling 3rd.
In the mens race Gregg Ward was first home in 309th in a time of 44.09 - he believes a personal worse for 10k - Robin Phillips was 598th in 48.59 with Colin Johnson Was 678th in 50.08. They all fared better than John Terry who pulled out, have experienced enough of the course, after 4k! The mens race was won by Stockport's Steve Vernon in 35.11, one of the slowest times I can remember for a 10k XC and reflective of the atrocious conditions the runners faced!
A great effort to everyone who braved the conditions!
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