The BLOG. All the latest news and updates from Telford Athletic Club.
26 Dec 2009
N Staffs League - Westwood High School, Leek
The final North Staffs Cross Country league of the saeson clashed with the Shropshire Championships at Lilleshall but Telford AC still managed to win the second division title after their first serious season in the league. Team manager Chris Talbot in his first season as mens team manager was delighted with the overall league result as the team won with 309 points from the 4 races with Vale Royal from Cheshire taking second with 644 points and Stafford Tri 3rd with 1141 pts. In the final race at Westwood High School Leek on a very hilly course Jamie Anderson led the way finishing 18th repeating his position in the previous race and giving him 10th overall in the league with Marc Gadsden 31st, Johnny Sanders 35th, Paul Williams 62nd and 4th overall over 45 veteran and Alan Hodgkiss 229th and 13th overall over 60 veteran.
Birmingham Cross Country Division 2
The second Birmingham League race of the season was held in early December at Blackbridge,Gloucester. The Telford Ac squad repeated their victory from the opening race with 111 points ahead of host team Gloucester with 172 pts and Kenilworth were 3rd with 221 pts in the 18 team second division. This now puts them well clear in the league overall with 173 pts with 136 points clear of second placed Gloucester.
Chris Rimmer was the first Telford AC finisher in 2nd place in 32.41 just 12 seconds behind the winner from host club Gloucester AC. Craig Walker who has recently joined Telford from Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletic Club ran well in his debut appearance to finish 4th in 32.51. Will Joyce was the third TAC finisher in 15th 34.06 whilst Chris Bagshaw was 19th 34.41 with Richard Lucock current leader of the Battery Trophy rankings, for the most consistant TAC performer throughout the cross country season in 26th, 35.06. Other finishers were Ben McDonald 45th, Nick Andrews 63rd, Paul Williams 100th and Malcolm Dawes 124th.
Chris Rimmer was the first Telford AC finisher in 2nd place in 32.41 just 12 seconds behind the winner from host club Gloucester AC. Craig Walker who has recently joined Telford from Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletic Club ran well in his debut appearance to finish 4th in 32.51. Will Joyce was the third TAC finisher in 15th 34.06 whilst Chris Bagshaw was 19th 34.41 with Richard Lucock current leader of the Battery Trophy rankings, for the most consistant TAC performer throughout the cross country season in 26th, 35.06. Other finishers were Ben McDonald 45th, Nick Andrews 63rd, Paul Williams 100th and Malcolm Dawes 124th.
North Wales Cross Country League
N Wales XC League
Oswestry Olympians Alison Lavender won her first ever North Wales Cross country league in the 3rd of this season's races held at Treborth Playing Fields, Bangor. The Loughborough University student who gained an England International fell running vest during the summer has had an excellent six months on the fells the road and at cross country. She finished in 20.37 and was 7 seconds ahead of second placed Marilyn Kitching from Tattenhall with Rhian Pierce from Denbigh taking 3rd. Denise Sanders led the Telford Ac contingent home in 9th with team mate Cheralyn Evans 11th.
Oswestry finished second team on the day with 46 pts to host club Eryri who had 36 pts, they are now 3rd in the league after 3 races with Colwyn Bay in second. Telford AC again won the second division with 46 pts and are clear league leaders with 85 pts almost 200 pts ahead of second placed Menai. Whitchurch Whippets were 7th with 165pts and Shrewsbury Ac 11th with 205 pts. Telford were second to Eryri in the veterans team race with 27 pts behind Eryri but lead overall with 53pts to Colwyn Bay's 64pts. Oswestry were 4th vets team on the day and are 4th overall.
Other leading finishers were
13th C Jones. Oswestry, 15th A.Tickner. Oswestry, 17th Y. Hill. Oswestry, 26th J. Hoad, Telford AC, 33rd J. Jarvis, Oswestry. 39th L. Blagden, Telford AC, 45th R. Foster, Whitchurch. 57th E. Sheekey, Shrewsbury.
Maldwyn's Tim Davies from Welshpool, came 2nd in the mens race to follow up his 3rd and 4th places with Nick Swinburn from Bangor University winning the race. Shrewsbury's Ian Coupland was 5th to lead the reigning champions to second on the day with 163 points behind host team Eryri with Telford 6th, 380pts and Maldwyn 7th 469 pts. Telford still lead overall but have their lead cut to just 101 pts from Shrewsbury 625 with Wrexham 3rd overall, Eryri 4th and Maldwyn Harriers 5th. Oswestry were 4th in the second division with 330 pts whilst Whitchurch were 9th 570pts and Bridgnorth 14th with 1024 pts. Shrewsbury AC were winners of the veteran teams section on the day with 35 pts with Eryri second and Maldwyn 3rd whilst Telford were 9th. Telford still lead overall with 105 pts from the first 3 races with Shrewsbury second 127pts and Maldwyn 5th with 156 pts.
Other leading men finishers were
8th P. Middleton SAC.
9th R. Hughes TAC
15th P. Jones Oswestry
23rd J. Ogden Oswestry
24th G. Jones SAC 2nd over 50
25th E. Davies Maldwyn 3rd over 50
26th D Beales SAC 3rd over 45.
33rd J. Sanders TAC
45th H. Jones Maldwyn
47th R. Jones Maldwyn
49th S. Waters SAC
51st P. Clarke SAC
55th C. Talbot TAC
58th R. Sharam Whitchurch.
The 4th race is the N Wales League takes place at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Cefn Road, Wrexham on Saturday 16th January 2010.
Oswestry Olympians Alison Lavender won her first ever North Wales Cross country league in the 3rd of this season's races held at Treborth Playing Fields, Bangor. The Loughborough University student who gained an England International fell running vest during the summer has had an excellent six months on the fells the road and at cross country. She finished in 20.37 and was 7 seconds ahead of second placed Marilyn Kitching from Tattenhall with Rhian Pierce from Denbigh taking 3rd. Denise Sanders led the Telford Ac contingent home in 9th with team mate Cheralyn Evans 11th.
Oswestry finished second team on the day with 46 pts to host club Eryri who had 36 pts, they are now 3rd in the league after 3 races with Colwyn Bay in second. Telford AC again won the second division with 46 pts and are clear league leaders with 85 pts almost 200 pts ahead of second placed Menai. Whitchurch Whippets were 7th with 165pts and Shrewsbury Ac 11th with 205 pts. Telford were second to Eryri in the veterans team race with 27 pts behind Eryri but lead overall with 53pts to Colwyn Bay's 64pts. Oswestry were 4th vets team on the day and are 4th overall.
Other leading finishers were
13th C Jones. Oswestry, 15th A.Tickner. Oswestry, 17th Y. Hill. Oswestry, 26th J. Hoad, Telford AC, 33rd J. Jarvis, Oswestry. 39th L. Blagden, Telford AC, 45th R. Foster, Whitchurch. 57th E. Sheekey, Shrewsbury.
Maldwyn's Tim Davies from Welshpool, came 2nd in the mens race to follow up his 3rd and 4th places with Nick Swinburn from Bangor University winning the race. Shrewsbury's Ian Coupland was 5th to lead the reigning champions to second on the day with 163 points behind host team Eryri with Telford 6th, 380pts and Maldwyn 7th 469 pts. Telford still lead overall but have their lead cut to just 101 pts from Shrewsbury 625 with Wrexham 3rd overall, Eryri 4th and Maldwyn Harriers 5th. Oswestry were 4th in the second division with 330 pts whilst Whitchurch were 9th 570pts and Bridgnorth 14th with 1024 pts. Shrewsbury AC were winners of the veteran teams section on the day with 35 pts with Eryri second and Maldwyn 3rd whilst Telford were 9th. Telford still lead overall with 105 pts from the first 3 races with Shrewsbury second 127pts and Maldwyn 5th with 156 pts.
Other leading men finishers were
8th P. Middleton SAC.
9th R. Hughes TAC
15th P. Jones Oswestry
23rd J. Ogden Oswestry
24th G. Jones SAC 2nd over 50
25th E. Davies Maldwyn 3rd over 50
26th D Beales SAC 3rd over 45.
33rd J. Sanders TAC
45th H. Jones Maldwyn
47th R. Jones Maldwyn
49th S. Waters SAC
51st P. Clarke SAC
55th C. Talbot TAC
58th R. Sharam Whitchurch.
The 4th race is the N Wales League takes place at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Cefn Road, Wrexham on Saturday 16th January 2010.
Shropshire AA Cross Country Championships
Shropshire AA XC Champs.
(Full results on the website)
Claire Martin won her 6th senior Shropshire Athletic Association Cross Country Championships in the annual championships at Lilleshall National Sports Centre. The Telford AC athlete, who has won all her senior titles since 2001 and is now closing in on the all time Shropshire record of victories held by Amanda Wright, now Smith, from MUch Wenlock, who has 8 senior victories to her name. Other senior ladies that have won 3 or more titles are Yvonne Hill 3, Heather Anslow 3, and Jenny Pearson 3. Claire won the race in 20.32 and was well clear of second placed Oswestry Olympian Alison Lavender, who was 4th last year, has been in good form recently with victories in the North wales League and the Midland Counties 5 mile championships. Michelle Clarke, was the second Telford AC runner home taking her first county medal as she finished 3rd a big improvement from her 6th last year. Nellie Sanders completed the winning Telford Ac team in 4th, whilst Cerian Lancaster retruned from univeristy in Brighton to retain the junior womens title and 5th overall with the Shropshire womens team manager Alison Tickner from Oswestry taking 6th. Telford AC won the team title for the 10th consecutive year.
Paul Ward continued his current top form as he won the senior mens title for the first time. he crossed the line in 31.46, just 8 seconds clear of his nearest rival his Telford AC team mate, 2008 champion and runner up last year Chris Rimmer. Ward who recently represented England in the masters International cross country had only ever been in the top 3 once before when he finished 3rd at Bridgnorth in 2006. Steven Cale, from Shrewsbury AC, a Wrekin College teacher who is currently leading the Shropshire Fell Running Winter Series was 3rd to take his first Shropshire medal in 33.01. Chris Bagshaw was 4th in 33.28, with Will Joyce, 3rd last year and second the year before taking 5th, Pete Butler a talented fast improving Oswestry runner took 6th in 33.52. Dave Mansbridge was the second veteran home in 8th whilst Greg Wilson, now an over 50 was 3rd. Telford AC took the team title for the 28th consecutive year. Dennis Gardner of Telford AC won the under 20 title in 35.40, 12th overall with Ryan Ordidge of Wrekin College taking second and Harry Hobson of Adams School third.
Isobel Bradley from Wellington, the Shropshire league champion, comfortably won the under 13 girls race the largest of the day with 49 finishers.The Telford AC athlete finished in 10.51 and had a 25 second winning margin with Ludlow Runner's Emma Clarke taking the silver medal in 11.16. Telford AC's Molly Brown taking 3rd just one second behind. The impressive Wrekin College team, that earlier in Decemeber had been Shropshire's only representatives in the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final in Cornwall easily won the team race as they packed 4 girls into the top 9, led by 4th placed Emma Draycote. Telford Ac were second with Shrewsbury Girls High School third.
Alex Burrows won his first Shropshire AA cross country title as the Broseely boy representing William Brookes School, who had finished second overall in the Shropshire league took the under 13 boys title in 10.04, just 4 seconds ahead of last years bronze medallist Connor Jones from Ludlow. Oswestry Olympian James Morris took the bronze medal a further 2 seconds adrift. Wenlock Olympians won the team title with Thomas Telford School second and Oswestry Olympians third.
Ludlow's Megan Turner who has been improving throughout the season and had finished third in the final Shropshire league race ,took the under 15 girls race by storm to take her first County title in 15.26. Megan has made a most dramatic improvement in the last 12 months having finished just 16th in the under 13 girls age group last season. Daisy Tickner from Oswestry took the silver medal just 6 seconds behind with the early leader Lauren Pestana of Telford AC taking third and leading her team to the team title with 16 points. Ludlow Runners were second and Shrewsbury Girls High School 3rd.
Wrekin College student Hayden Gleave took the under 15 boys title after finishing 4th in the same race last year. He had a 13 second winning margin over second placed Ben Ashcroft just holding off his Shrewsbury AC team mate George Speakman who was third just 2 seconds behind. Adams Grammar School, Newport dominated the team race with 6 boys in the top 16 as they took the fisrt two team plaings with Abraham Darby School 3rd.
It was a North Shropshire clean sweep in the Under 17 girls race as Harriet Grandfield, from Thomas Adams School, Wem continued her unbeaten start to the season by taking the title in 19.45 following up her victory in the under 15's last year. Ella walker, from Oswestry Olympians and Ellesmere College last years champion was second in 19.59 with Holly Climo from Whitchurch taking 3rd in 20.22.
Tom Buckley from Adams Grammar School, was a surprise winner in the under 17 boys age group coming home 30 seconds clear of the Shropshire league champion Guy Gregory from Ludlow Runners with Telford Ac's Ryan Heath taking the bronze medal.
Shropshire teams will now be selected to represent the county in the National Inter County Cross Championships to be held this year at Cofton Park, Birmingham on Saturday 13th March. This is a new venue, as the championships have previously been held in Nottingham since 1999.
Paul Sanderson
(Full results on the website)
Claire Martin won her 6th senior Shropshire Athletic Association Cross Country Championships in the annual championships at Lilleshall National Sports Centre. The Telford AC athlete, who has won all her senior titles since 2001 and is now closing in on the all time Shropshire record of victories held by Amanda Wright, now Smith, from MUch Wenlock, who has 8 senior victories to her name. Other senior ladies that have won 3 or more titles are Yvonne Hill 3, Heather Anslow 3, and Jenny Pearson 3. Claire won the race in 20.32 and was well clear of second placed Oswestry Olympian Alison Lavender, who was 4th last year, has been in good form recently with victories in the North wales League and the Midland Counties 5 mile championships. Michelle Clarke, was the second Telford AC runner home taking her first county medal as she finished 3rd a big improvement from her 6th last year. Nellie Sanders completed the winning Telford Ac team in 4th, whilst Cerian Lancaster retruned from univeristy in Brighton to retain the junior womens title and 5th overall with the Shropshire womens team manager Alison Tickner from Oswestry taking 6th. Telford AC won the team title for the 10th consecutive year.
Paul Ward continued his current top form as he won the senior mens title for the first time. he crossed the line in 31.46, just 8 seconds clear of his nearest rival his Telford AC team mate, 2008 champion and runner up last year Chris Rimmer. Ward who recently represented England in the masters International cross country had only ever been in the top 3 once before when he finished 3rd at Bridgnorth in 2006. Steven Cale, from Shrewsbury AC, a Wrekin College teacher who is currently leading the Shropshire Fell Running Winter Series was 3rd to take his first Shropshire medal in 33.01. Chris Bagshaw was 4th in 33.28, with Will Joyce, 3rd last year and second the year before taking 5th, Pete Butler a talented fast improving Oswestry runner took 6th in 33.52. Dave Mansbridge was the second veteran home in 8th whilst Greg Wilson, now an over 50 was 3rd. Telford AC took the team title for the 28th consecutive year. Dennis Gardner of Telford AC won the under 20 title in 35.40, 12th overall with Ryan Ordidge of Wrekin College taking second and Harry Hobson of Adams School third.
Isobel Bradley from Wellington, the Shropshire league champion, comfortably won the under 13 girls race the largest of the day with 49 finishers.The Telford AC athlete finished in 10.51 and had a 25 second winning margin with Ludlow Runner's Emma Clarke taking the silver medal in 11.16. Telford AC's Molly Brown taking 3rd just one second behind. The impressive Wrekin College team, that earlier in Decemeber had been Shropshire's only representatives in the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final in Cornwall easily won the team race as they packed 4 girls into the top 9, led by 4th placed Emma Draycote. Telford Ac were second with Shrewsbury Girls High School third.
Alex Burrows won his first Shropshire AA cross country title as the Broseely boy representing William Brookes School, who had finished second overall in the Shropshire league took the under 13 boys title in 10.04, just 4 seconds ahead of last years bronze medallist Connor Jones from Ludlow. Oswestry Olympian James Morris took the bronze medal a further 2 seconds adrift. Wenlock Olympians won the team title with Thomas Telford School second and Oswestry Olympians third.
Ludlow's Megan Turner who has been improving throughout the season and had finished third in the final Shropshire league race ,took the under 15 girls race by storm to take her first County title in 15.26. Megan has made a most dramatic improvement in the last 12 months having finished just 16th in the under 13 girls age group last season. Daisy Tickner from Oswestry took the silver medal just 6 seconds behind with the early leader Lauren Pestana of Telford AC taking third and leading her team to the team title with 16 points. Ludlow Runners were second and Shrewsbury Girls High School 3rd.
Wrekin College student Hayden Gleave took the under 15 boys title after finishing 4th in the same race last year. He had a 13 second winning margin over second placed Ben Ashcroft just holding off his Shrewsbury AC team mate George Speakman who was third just 2 seconds behind. Adams Grammar School, Newport dominated the team race with 6 boys in the top 16 as they took the fisrt two team plaings with Abraham Darby School 3rd.
It was a North Shropshire clean sweep in the Under 17 girls race as Harriet Grandfield, from Thomas Adams School, Wem continued her unbeaten start to the season by taking the title in 19.45 following up her victory in the under 15's last year. Ella walker, from Oswestry Olympians and Ellesmere College last years champion was second in 19.59 with Holly Climo from Whitchurch taking 3rd in 20.22.
Tom Buckley from Adams Grammar School, was a surprise winner in the under 17 boys age group coming home 30 seconds clear of the Shropshire league champion Guy Gregory from Ludlow Runners with Telford Ac's Ryan Heath taking the bronze medal.
Shropshire teams will now be selected to represent the county in the National Inter County Cross Championships to be held this year at Cofton Park, Birmingham on Saturday 13th March. This is a new venue, as the championships have previously been held in Nottingham since 1999.
Paul Sanderson
24 Dec 2009
Shropshire Young Athletes Cross Country League
Telford takes Cross Country Honours.
Telford Athletic Club secured the 2009 Shropshire Young Athletes League title by winning both the boys and girls titles at Oldbury Wells Schools Bridgnorth. But it was encouraging to see the resurgence of some of the smaller teams in the county.
In the individual championships it is only three of the four races which count and several athletes had won two races but missed one of the fixtures. In all cases it was these athletes that proved themselves over the tough hilly course. Hattie Jones of Ludlow Runners secured the Under 11 title by running away form the field from the gun to finish fourteen seconds ahead of Katherine Price of Shrewsbury AC with Hannah Price of Oswestry Olympians third. This was also the way the overall medals went. In the team race Oswestry clinched the gold medals by just ten points over the season from Telford with Bridgnorth taking the bronze.
The Under 13 girls’ race was dominated again by Isabel Bradley of Telford who as a result took the title with Emma Clarke, second in the final race and the silver medallist overall. Molly Brown came third in this race but the overall bronze went to Sarah Williams of the Newtown based Maldwyn Harriers. The Welsh club performed well at each fixture to collect the league title from Oswestry with Telford taking the third position.
The most competitive races this year seemed to be in the Under 15 girls’ age group with the lead constantly changing hands through the season. The hills seemed to favour Daisy Tickner from Oswestry and she opened up a 16 second lead on the hill on the last lap from Megan Turner of Aberystwyth. Her namesake Megan Turner of Ludlow Runners had the finish officials thinking they had made a mistake but after a slow start to the season she proved that she is improving with every race. It was the Aberystwyth Megan who took the overall gold from Tickner, having performed most consistently throughout the season, with Zoe Partridge of Wenlock Olympians finishing fourth on the day to clinch the bronze form her twin sister Amy. Telford had a stranglehold on this age group throughout the season and they confirmed their favourite status by winning the team gold with Oswestry taking the silver in front of Maldwyn Harriers.
In the Under 17 girls’ category Harriet Grandfield had missed the Oswestry race but was another runner to convincingly take the overall title running away from the rest of the field to win by nineteen seconds from Ella Walker of Oswestry. Ella had already missed two races so the minor places were up for grabs and it was Telford’s ever consistent Chloe Murphy who finished fourth but clinched the silver. Chloe Barton from Oswestry had run strongly to finish third and also took the individual bronze. It was Telford who just scraped home in the team competition from Oswestry by just six points over the four race series.
In the Under 17 boys’ three runners had been involved in a great tactical battle in each of the four races. Guy Gregory from Ludlow Runners had already clinched the league title with three wins in the earlier races but wanted to remain unbeaten through the season. Another of the three, Ryan Heath did not run as he had been ill in the week and this left an opening for Guy’s Ludlow teammate Russell Adams. Guy used his trademark sprint finish to take first place but Russell’s second clinched the league silver. Both runners finished four minutes ahead of the third place runner over the 5000m course. Not surprisingly these two athletes helped Ludlow take the team honours from Telford.
In the Under 15 boys’ Joe Morris of Oswestry had won the two races he had run earlier in the series but still had to confirm his favourite status. He did this by winning again from his main rival, and eventual silver medallist, Haydn Gleave representing Wrekin College. Ben Ashcroft of Shrewsbury looked secure in third and took the league bronze. Ben collected his second bronze of the day when Shrewsbury took the third team spot but it was Telford who took the title form Oswestry.
Telford just managed to hang on to the team award in the Under 13 boys’ with a great team performance from Wenlock Olympians who took silver medal position with Oswestry taking bronze. It was in this age group that the biggest upset occurred. Jack Forrester continued his improvement to win the race and the league title. His Telford team mate Alex Burrows had won the first two races but had to settle for fourth on the Bridgnorth hills and so took the overall silver with James Morris of Oswestry taking the bronze.
Alex has another year in this age group and he will be keen to win next year but he will not have it all his own way as the Under 11 title has been won by a very talented runner, Freddie Fielding also of Telford. The hills didn’t seem to slow him at all and he ran way from the field by an amazing 49 seconds on the 1600m course. Second on the day was Charlie Mooney of Oswestry but Charlie had to settle for fourth overall with two Maldwyn Harriers taking the silver and bronze medals, Will Evans and Joseph Crutchley. Freddie’s runs helped Telford to take the team gold from Oswestry and Maldwyn Harriers who were second and third respectively.
Colin Lancaster
Telford Athletic Club secured the 2009 Shropshire Young Athletes League title by winning both the boys and girls titles at Oldbury Wells Schools Bridgnorth. But it was encouraging to see the resurgence of some of the smaller teams in the county.
In the individual championships it is only three of the four races which count and several athletes had won two races but missed one of the fixtures. In all cases it was these athletes that proved themselves over the tough hilly course. Hattie Jones of Ludlow Runners secured the Under 11 title by running away form the field from the gun to finish fourteen seconds ahead of Katherine Price of Shrewsbury AC with Hannah Price of Oswestry Olympians third. This was also the way the overall medals went. In the team race Oswestry clinched the gold medals by just ten points over the season from Telford with Bridgnorth taking the bronze.
The Under 13 girls’ race was dominated again by Isabel Bradley of Telford who as a result took the title with Emma Clarke, second in the final race and the silver medallist overall. Molly Brown came third in this race but the overall bronze went to Sarah Williams of the Newtown based Maldwyn Harriers. The Welsh club performed well at each fixture to collect the league title from Oswestry with Telford taking the third position.
The most competitive races this year seemed to be in the Under 15 girls’ age group with the lead constantly changing hands through the season. The hills seemed to favour Daisy Tickner from Oswestry and she opened up a 16 second lead on the hill on the last lap from Megan Turner of Aberystwyth. Her namesake Megan Turner of Ludlow Runners had the finish officials thinking they had made a mistake but after a slow start to the season she proved that she is improving with every race. It was the Aberystwyth Megan who took the overall gold from Tickner, having performed most consistently throughout the season, with Zoe Partridge of Wenlock Olympians finishing fourth on the day to clinch the bronze form her twin sister Amy. Telford had a stranglehold on this age group throughout the season and they confirmed their favourite status by winning the team gold with Oswestry taking the silver in front of Maldwyn Harriers.
In the Under 17 girls’ category Harriet Grandfield had missed the Oswestry race but was another runner to convincingly take the overall title running away from the rest of the field to win by nineteen seconds from Ella Walker of Oswestry. Ella had already missed two races so the minor places were up for grabs and it was Telford’s ever consistent Chloe Murphy who finished fourth but clinched the silver. Chloe Barton from Oswestry had run strongly to finish third and also took the individual bronze. It was Telford who just scraped home in the team competition from Oswestry by just six points over the four race series.
In the Under 17 boys’ three runners had been involved in a great tactical battle in each of the four races. Guy Gregory from Ludlow Runners had already clinched the league title with three wins in the earlier races but wanted to remain unbeaten through the season. Another of the three, Ryan Heath did not run as he had been ill in the week and this left an opening for Guy’s Ludlow teammate Russell Adams. Guy used his trademark sprint finish to take first place but Russell’s second clinched the league silver. Both runners finished four minutes ahead of the third place runner over the 5000m course. Not surprisingly these two athletes helped Ludlow take the team honours from Telford.
In the Under 15 boys’ Joe Morris of Oswestry had won the two races he had run earlier in the series but still had to confirm his favourite status. He did this by winning again from his main rival, and eventual silver medallist, Haydn Gleave representing Wrekin College. Ben Ashcroft of Shrewsbury looked secure in third and took the league bronze. Ben collected his second bronze of the day when Shrewsbury took the third team spot but it was Telford who took the title form Oswestry.
Telford just managed to hang on to the team award in the Under 13 boys’ with a great team performance from Wenlock Olympians who took silver medal position with Oswestry taking bronze. It was in this age group that the biggest upset occurred. Jack Forrester continued his improvement to win the race and the league title. His Telford team mate Alex Burrows had won the first two races but had to settle for fourth on the Bridgnorth hills and so took the overall silver with James Morris of Oswestry taking the bronze.
Alex has another year in this age group and he will be keen to win next year but he will not have it all his own way as the Under 11 title has been won by a very talented runner, Freddie Fielding also of Telford. The hills didn’t seem to slow him at all and he ran way from the field by an amazing 49 seconds on the 1600m course. Second on the day was Charlie Mooney of Oswestry but Charlie had to settle for fourth overall with two Maldwyn Harriers taking the silver and bronze medals, Will Evans and Joseph Crutchley. Freddie’s runs helped Telford to take the team gold from Oswestry and Maldwyn Harriers who were second and third respectively.
Colin Lancaster
19 Dec 2009
TELFORD 10K Update
The 2009 TELFORD 10K
Snow and freezing conditions are playing havoc with this race.
For updates check the Telford 10K Page
For updates check the Telford 10K Page
15 Dec 2009
Cardington Cracker
Cardington Cracker 06-Dec-09
Andy Davies from Forden near Welshpool stormed to an impressive victory in this years Cardington Cracker 9 mile Hill Race. He retained the title he won last year and is now on track to challenge his brother Tim's record of winning 4 Cardington races. As well as being a Welsh International Fell Runner, Davies is also a regular first team footballer for Caersws in the Welsh league having played the previous day when they lost 3-1 at home to Bangor City.
The Mercia Fell Runner, took charge early into the race and had a clear lead by the summit of the second summit of Caer Caradoc. He had extended that lead to almost two minutes by the time he reached the finish, in Cardington village in 1 hour 12 minutes and 29 seconds, just 15 seconds slower than when he won last year. Davies, who has now been in the top 3 5 times since 1999, having also finished 3rd in 1999, 2001 and 2007.
Steven Cale,of Shrewsbury AC, winner of the recent Wrekin Wrecker race and who is currently leading the Shropshire Winter Fell Running Series was second in 1.14.20. The Wrekin College teacher who spent some of his summer holiday doing voluntary work in Malawi on a college project has made remarkable progress in the last twelve months aftere finishing 23rd and eleven minutes slower in this race last year.
Former Bridgnorth runner Pete Vale, was 3rd in 1.16.32 maintaining his consitent record in this race having been 3rd last year and in 2003, 5th in 2007 and 2nd in 2004.
Matt Clewes from Newport, a Mercia runner,was the first over 50 veteran in 1.24.47 and will remain 3rd in the Shropshire series.
In the field of 235 finishers, the 6th highest in the 22 year history of the race, there were runners from all areas of the country. leading local finishers were 10th Simon White, Mercia, 1.24.00, 16th Ed Davies,Mercia, 2nd O/50 1.26.56, 24th Colin Lancaster, Telford AC, 4th O/45 1.28.27, 25th Simon Daws, Telford AC, 1st over 55 1.28.35, 39th Henry Thomas, Telford AC, 1.31.38, 42nd Nick Eyke, Oswestry 3rd O/50 1.32.25, 43rd Mark Agnew, Mercia 1.32.27.
Helen Fines, representing Calder Valley, a Yorkshire club, won the womens race for the 3rd year consecutive year equalling Polly Gibb from Coalbrookdale's record between 1999 and 2001. Her winning time this year was 1.27.47 over 3 minutes outside her own course record which she set in 2007. Andrea Rowlands from Eryri was second in 1.29.40 with Val Swingler, winner of this years Stretton Skyline and current leader of the Shropshire Winter Series, was 3rd in 1.33.48 and the first over 40 veteran. Telford AC's Michelle Clarke made her debut in the race finishing 4th in 1.36.17 with Mercia's Mel Price was 5th in 1.36.28. Newport's Helen Skelton, currently second in the Shropshire series was 6th on the day in 1.40.11. Other leading Shropshire finishers were the Oswestry Olympians pair of Ali Tickner 11th, 1.46.33 and Jackie Jarvis 13th 1.51.34 whilst Jean Turner from Telford Harriers was 14th and the 3rd over 45 vet.
Paul Sanderson
Andy Davies from Forden near Welshpool stormed to an impressive victory in this years Cardington Cracker 9 mile Hill Race. He retained the title he won last year and is now on track to challenge his brother Tim's record of winning 4 Cardington races. As well as being a Welsh International Fell Runner, Davies is also a regular first team footballer for Caersws in the Welsh league having played the previous day when they lost 3-1 at home to Bangor City.The Mercia Fell Runner, took charge early into the race and had a clear lead by the summit of the second summit of Caer Caradoc. He had extended that lead to almost two minutes by the time he reached the finish, in Cardington village in 1 hour 12 minutes and 29 seconds, just 15 seconds slower than when he won last year. Davies, who has now been in the top 3 5 times since 1999, having also finished 3rd in 1999, 2001 and 2007.
Steven Cale,of Shrewsbury AC, winner of the recent Wrekin Wrecker race and who is currently leading the Shropshire Winter Fell Running Series was second in 1.14.20. The Wrekin College teacher who spent some of his summer holiday doing voluntary work in Malawi on a college project has made remarkable progress in the last twelve months aftere finishing 23rd and eleven minutes slower in this race last year.Former Bridgnorth runner Pete Vale, was 3rd in 1.16.32 maintaining his consitent record in this race having been 3rd last year and in 2003, 5th in 2007 and 2nd in 2004.
Matt Clewes from Newport, a Mercia runner,was the first over 50 veteran in 1.24.47 and will remain 3rd in the Shropshire series.
In the field of 235 finishers, the 6th highest in the 22 year history of the race, there were runners from all areas of the country. leading local finishers were 10th Simon White, Mercia, 1.24.00, 16th Ed Davies,Mercia, 2nd O/50 1.26.56, 24th Colin Lancaster, Telford AC, 4th O/45 1.28.27, 25th Simon Daws, Telford AC, 1st over 55 1.28.35, 39th Henry Thomas, Telford AC, 1.31.38, 42nd Nick Eyke, Oswestry 3rd O/50 1.32.25, 43rd Mark Agnew, Mercia 1.32.27.
Helen Fines, representing Calder Valley, a Yorkshire club, won the womens race for the 3rd year consecutive year equalling Polly Gibb from Coalbrookdale's record between 1999 and 2001. Her winning time this year was 1.27.47 over 3 minutes outside her own course record which she set in 2007. Andrea Rowlands from Eryri was second in 1.29.40 with Val Swingler, winner of this years Stretton Skyline and current leader of the Shropshire Winter Series, was 3rd in 1.33.48 and the first over 40 veteran. Telford AC's Michelle Clarke made her debut in the race finishing 4th in 1.36.17 with Mercia's Mel Price was 5th in 1.36.28. Newport's Helen Skelton, currently second in the Shropshire series was 6th on the day in 1.40.11. Other leading Shropshire finishers were the Oswestry Olympians pair of Ali Tickner 11th, 1.46.33 and Jackie Jarvis 13th 1.51.34 whilst Jean Turner from Telford Harriers was 14th and the 3rd over 45 vet.
Paul Sanderson
13 Dec 2009
The 2010 SAA Cross Country Championships
Results now available along with updated role of honor on the SAA XC Champs page on the website.
Masters Cross Country International
Masters Cross Country
Nellie Sanders, the Telford Athletic Club runner from Shifnal, was delighted to walk away from the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International at Perry Park, Birmingham with her first international gold medal. She was selected to run for the Welsh Masters Over 40's team following several impressive performances this season especially in the North Wales Cross Country League.
The Welsh team won the womens over 40 team event, just one point ahead of the Republic of Ireland who were second, England finished third, with Scotland fourth and Northern Ireland 5th. In the race won by England's Debbie Walters from Birchfield she was 29th out of 120, in 26.07 and the fourth Welsh scorer.
Telford AC's Paul Ward, described his run in the mens race as one of his best ever as he finished 5th in 28.40 behind the winner Tim Hartley, another England runner who retained the title he won last year. Ward was the fourth England over 40 finisher and was a member of the winning team, that had an impressive 10 points well clear of second placed Republic of Ireland who had 46 points.
Greg Wilson was the third TAC member on international duty as he was selected for the over 50's team and finished 13th in the Over 50's race in 32.10, the 5th England over 50 finisher behind winner Mike Hagar from Tipton and England in 30.41.
Paul Sanderson
Nellie Sanders, the Telford Athletic Club runner from Shifnal, was delighted to walk away from the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International at Perry Park, Birmingham with her first international gold medal. She was selected to run for the Welsh Masters Over 40's team following several impressive performances this season especially in the North Wales Cross Country League.The Welsh team won the womens over 40 team event, just one point ahead of the Republic of Ireland who were second, England finished third, with Scotland fourth and Northern Ireland 5th. In the race won by England's Debbie Walters from Birchfield she was 29th out of 120, in 26.07 and the fourth Welsh scorer.
Telford AC's Paul Ward, described his run in the mens race as one of his best ever as he finished 5th in 28.40 behind the winner Tim Hartley, another England runner who retained the title he won last year. Ward was the fourth England over 40 finisher and was a member of the winning team, that had an impressive 10 points well clear of second placed Republic of Ireland who had 46 points.
Greg Wilson was the third TAC member on international duty as he was selected for the over 50's team and finished 13th in the Over 50's race in 32.10, the 5th England over 50 finisher behind winner Mike Hagar from Tipton and England in 30.41.
Paul Sanderson
12 Dec 2009
North Staffs XC D2 Champions
An elite squad of TAC runners went to Leek on a mission - that mission was promotion!
Westwood High School: Leek
Race 4: Saturday 12 December 2009
Race 4: Saturday 12 December 2009
TAC senior men were already quite a few points in the lead after 3 races in the North Staffs XC League. To win the division and secure promotion we had to have a minimum of 4 finishers! Not an easy task as the last fixture clashed with the Shropshire county Champs back in Telford.
However, a 'Die Hard' quintet sacrificed glory in the County race and put their club first. Well done to Jamie Anderson, Marc Gadson, Johnny Sanders, Paul Williams and Alan Hodgkiss for running. Chris Talbot did a splendid job as Team Manager and race strategist, dragging his two young daughters all the way to Leek just to stand in a cold, muddy field :-) Chief in charge of TAC cheer leaders was Ian Beattie doing a cracking job of shouting on our quintet.
Paul Williams, Marc Gadson, Johnny (scarface) Sanders, Chris Talbot and Jamie Anderson.
Medal Scoop
Bryan Dale, photographer and runner was also at Leek. See his photos at http://www.racephotos.org.uk/
See also Mick Hall's photos
Full results will be on the North Staffs XC League web site at
I have fond memories of the last time I raced on this same XC course at Leek back in 2004. We were also fighting for promotion but with Telford Harriers. The Harriers did get promoted that year too. I also remember struggling to distribute only 4 medals amongst the large squad seen below.
Telford Harriers promotion back in 2004
6 Dec 2009
Midland and National Cross Country Championships
We are now taking entries for the Midland Championships at Stafford Common on the 30th of January and the Nationals at Leeds on the 27th of Febuary.....
Please contact Margaret Kelcher or Chris Talbot to let us know your wanting to compete....
If we enter you in we will be expecting the comitment to run.....
Please contact us on thekelchers@btinternet.com or ctalbot23@hotmail.com
Thank you
The deadline is very near and so far we have a small amount of senior ladies running and an even smaller section of juniors going to the Midlands and National Championships. Please tell Chris or Margaret if you want to run Thank you.
Please contact Margaret Kelcher or Chris Talbot to let us know your wanting to compete....
If we enter you in we will be expecting the comitment to run.....
Please contact us on thekelchers@btinternet.com or ctalbot23@hotmail.com
Thank you
The deadline is very near and so far we have a small amount of senior ladies running and an even smaller section of juniors going to the Midlands and National Championships. Please tell Chris or Margaret if you want to run Thank you.
Cross Country Season review so far...........
Hi All,
the cross country season is long and takes up a lot of everyones time but we are reaching the corner point where fixtures start to ease and I hope we can start to get the large telford support we had at the begining of the season.
Here is a update how the leagues are going to date:
North Staffs - With one race to go which clashes with the County Champs we are sitting at the top of the table with a healthy lead over our nearest rivals Vale Royal of 387points I have four names who want to run the league meet instead of the county so next weekend Telford could have county and their first league silverware. Individually in the womens Michelle Clarke is 4th over all and 2nd in her age group, Cherly Evans is 17th overall and 2nd in her age group. The men sees Richard Lucock in 10th, Jamie Anderson in 12th and Ryan Ordidge in 16th and 4th in the Junior mens. Paul Williams is 5th in his age group and Dave Davies is 8th in his age group.
Next one is December 12th Leek
North Wales League - We have had a good start to the league after the first two meetings at Colwyn Bay and Bridgnorth we had a huge 300point advantage over the next club, but due to a lack of athletes at Bangor it has seen 200 points slashed of the lead, hopefully we can field a strong team in the next two meetings and take Division 1 glory in the mens. The ladies contiune their strong position from race one and currently hold a 190point lead coming in to the final two meetings. Next One is January 16th Wrexham
Birmingham League - Telford had an impressive start to their campaign at getting back into Division 1 by taking a 75point lead away from the first meeting, Chris Davies coming 2nd and Mark Dalkins 3rd and Paul Ward 4th, unfortunately the three stars were unable to make the next meet and it was left to Chris Rimmer to lead the way in a impressive 2nd and Craig Walker making his debut in 4th I am awaiting the results but I feel we may have slipped to third when they come out and we need top two to be promoted. but obviously number one should be our aim in this division. Come on Lads next on is Jan 16th Sphinx.
Midland Womens League - The ladies had a nice start to the league with a couple of the top names missing but Cathy Ansell stepping up to the plate and coming in a very good 8th place backed up Michelle Clarke 18th and Cheryl Evans 55th saw Telford start in 5th, on to round two and the team fell apart failing so send out three runners. There was still great performances though by Kim Fawkes in 7th and Sian Webb in 12th well done ladies. The next meet is at Sphinx with the men on January the 16th.
Midland and National Champs - Margaret is now taking names for the championships and deadlines for entry are early in the new year so please either let margaret Know on
Birmingham Cross country league Gloucester
Another meeting down and another great Telford performance, Chris Rimmer taking the pace on early to lead the team home in 2nd, Craig Walker running for the first time since being cleared to run for us came home in 4th. Will joyce running on home turf came home in a great 15th place and Baggers came home in 19th continuing his come back after along period off through injury and illness. Richard Lucock continues his impressive season with 26th and the team was completed by Ben Mcdonald in 45th. Nick Andrews is coming back to fitness with every race finishing 63rd, Paul Williams once again putting in a consistent run coming in 100th and evergreen Malcolm Dawes completed the team in 124th.
Cannock and Stafford had a strong side out getting 6 runners up in the top 30 also gloucester had a strong team out, Telfords 111points may see us slip a place in the team standings we'll just have to wait and see for the results come out on:
http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/
Next league meeting we see the ladies run at the same venue it would be nice to get some ladies out to run with us. There were two great runs from Kim Fawkes 7th and Sain Webb 12th unfortunately we couldn't get other ladies out so Telford will not score in the team event and will have to re apply for a team slot next year.
So I hope to see you all on January 16th, we need two teams out one at Brimingham league and one at Wrexham for the North Wales League, we are well placed in both leagues and are looking forward to silverware from both leagues so this is calling all athletes.............
http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/images/ResultsDiv205Dec2009.pdf
Glad to report Telford are still number one in the team and whats more were number one on the day as well with 111 points to gloucesters 172 extending or points lead to 136 points well done lads lets get a good team out again and almost make the title ours at the next meeting.....
Cannock and Stafford had a strong side out getting 6 runners up in the top 30 also gloucester had a strong team out, Telfords 111points may see us slip a place in the team standings we'll just have to wait and see for the results come out on:
http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/
Next league meeting we see the ladies run at the same venue it would be nice to get some ladies out to run with us. There were two great runs from Kim Fawkes 7th and Sain Webb 12th unfortunately we couldn't get other ladies out so Telford will not score in the team event and will have to re apply for a team slot next year.
So I hope to see you all on January 16th, we need two teams out one at Brimingham league and one at Wrexham for the North Wales League, we are well placed in both leagues and are looking forward to silverware from both leagues so this is calling all athletes.............
http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/images/ResultsDiv205Dec2009.pdf
Glad to report Telford are still number one in the team and whats more were number one on the day as well with 111 points to gloucesters 172 extending or points lead to 136 points well done lads lets get a good team out again and almost make the title ours at the next meeting.....
1 Dec 2009
Tribute to Cracker
Cardington Cracker this Sunday!!!
It's 9 miles and 2,600 feet of hell...
Read Mick Ward's pictorial tribute to the Cardington Cracker.
Visit the Cardington Cracker Pages on the TAC website.
Equipment
FRA Rules state that all runners should carry windproof body cover, map, compass andwhistle. All runners will be expected to carry this equipment.
FRA Rules state that all runners should carry windproof body cover, map, compass andwhistle. All runners will be expected to carry this equipment.
Entry - £4.00 (payable to Telford Athletic Club) in advance or on the day. Over 16's only. To Paul Sanderson, 6 Spring Village, Horsehay, Telford, Shropshire. TF4 2LY. Tel : (01952) 506671.
Entry Form in attachments at the bottom of this page.
SAE for details. All numbers must be collected on the day. Bring your own pins. E Mail: jpsanderson_tac@hotmail.com
2009This years race will be on Sunday 6th December 2009.
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