British and Irish Masters Cross Country Champs.

It was great news for Telford AC as Claire Martin, Kim Fawke, Paul Ward and Greg Wilson were all selected to run for England in the British and Irish Cross Country Championships in Glasgow on Saturday. Claire led the way home as she retained the British and Irish womens over 35 title that she won last year in Dublin. In tough windy and wet conditions she came home first in 21.42, 9 seconds ahead of Caroline Betmead the over 40 winner from Blackpool, whilst Lesley Chisholm in 3rd was the 2nd over 35 in 22.02. Kim Fawke fresh from her 2.44 marathon in Dublin last month was 5th over 35 in 22.17 and theyw ere both part of the winning England team.

Paul was the 2nd over 45 to finish in 26.08 behind the Welsh winner Austin Davies, from Brecon who won the category in 25.24. Greg was also second in the over 55 category just 9 seconds adrift of his fellow Englishman, the category winner David Butler.

London Marathon

London Marathon

Telford Athletic Club have 3 guaranteed places for the 2012 Virgin London Marathon. These are available for fully paid up club members 11/12, first priority will be given to those members who have applied for a marathon place for the 2012 London Marathon and have been rejected. If there are more than 3 names will be drawn 'from a hat'. If there are still places remaining they will be available for club members who have not already applied for a marathon place but would like to run. Again if there are more wanting a place than there are places available names will be drawn 'from a hat'.

Members who are interested should contact Paul Sanderson

( jpsanderson_tac@hotmail.com or 0771 534 7587 ) before Friday 9th December 2011. The draw if required will be held done by TAC officers on Saturday 10th December. Entries have to be sent to the Virgin London Marathon by 13th January 2012.

Birmingham XC Lge Div 2

Chris Rimmer and Paul Ward, in their first cross country race of the season were an impressive 2nd and 3rd in the opening Birmingham and District Cross Country League Division Two race at Leamington on Saturday. The race was won by Leamington's Richard Harper in 36.44 with Chris Rimmer then second just 17 seconds behind with Paul Ward, who recently got married just a further 2 seconds behind in 3rd. Greg Wilson warmed up for his forthcoming international race finishing 27th in 40.22 just one place ahead of his team mate Ryan Heath celebrating his 18th birthday weekend still managed to finish 28th and 6th junior in 40.31. Johnny Sanders made a welcome return to cross country action finishing 69th with Paul Williams completing the scoring 6 in 90th and Dave Tatton not far behind in 101st. The club finished 6th on the day with 219 points, but only 28 points behind 3rd placed Dudley and Stourbridge who were 3rd. The top 3 get promoted to Division 1. Rugby won the team race with 129 pts, Wolverhampton and Bilston were 2nd with 146 pts, Worcester 4th with 206 pts, Severn 5th with 213 pts.

The team were split on Saturday as another team of TAC senior men, a slightly slower group went to the North Wales XC Lge at Deeside. The club had 16 men out at both venues, another great turn out.

N Wales Cross Country at Deeside

It was a busy day for Telford AC with the club having to field teams at the North Wales League, the Birmingham League and the Midland Womens League all on the same day. A group of 9 senior men travelled to another new course this time at Glyndwr University, Northop organised by Deeside.

The race winner was again Rob Samuels from Eryri, with his team mate Richard Roberts second. John Garmson led the Telford squad home in 33rd, the same position as in the previous race at Llandudno, he was 4th over 45 in 35.22. Steve Jones was the next man home improving from 56th at the last race to 39th this time, in 35.43 and first over 55. sam Garmson was the next finisher in 87th, 39.39 just one place and 9 seconds ahead of Spencer Davies. Paul Sanderson was the 5th scorer, 111th in 41.42, with Mike Whitehead improving 10 places on his last race to complete the scoring 6 in 127th, 42.57. He was just ahead of Nigel Tatton, still on target for his 50th race this year, finishing 129th, 19 places higher than at Llandudno, in 43.12, with Darren Fincham 133rd, 43.28 and Dave Davies 151st in 48.07.

The club finished 6th team on the day out of 8 in Division 1, but we are still 3rd overall with 2 races to go. Eryri lead with 249 pts, Meirionnydd are 2nd with 569 pts, TAC 3rd with 946 pts, Shrewsbury 4th, 1138 pts, Tattenhall 5th 1175 pts, Colwyn Bay 6th 1241 pts, Wrexham 7th 1419 pts and Menai 8th 1460 pts.

TAC were 6th on the day in Masters League and are 4th overall.

The next league race is hosted by TAC at Lilleshall on Saturday 14th January, which again clashes with the Birmingham and Midland Womens League. We will again aim to get teams in both leagues on the same day as well as organise a home fixture. Please support and run if you can if not please come and help.

Paul Sanderson

Midland Womens XC League

Telford AC's senior ladies team took part in the first Midland Womens League of the season on the tough Leamington course on Saturday. Claire Martin, last years overall league and over 35 masters champion, led the way home in 4th and first over 35, in 28.13 behind the winner Sara Treacy of Birchfield. Michelle Clarke was 37th, in 31.11 and the 8th veteran, Denise Sanders 99th, in 34.40. Julie Kirby, making a welcome return to cross country was 131st, in 36.19, with Lisa Blagden 147th, 37.29. Sharon Clayton 188th in 40.15 and Sue Baker 242nd, in 45.24. The team were 8th out of 34 teams and were the first Vets team out of 26 teams. Well done girls a great start to the season. The next race is on 3rd December.

Paul Sanderson.