GAC Athletes Excel at Lincolnshire County Schools Event
Burghley Park was the venue for the 2018 Lincolnshire County Schools XC event. This competition is considered by many to be the toughest and most competitive of all the XC events in the calendar. The competition starts with athletes from all disciplines competing at district level events. With it being open to all athletes, there are always surprising performances as strong, fit athletes from other sports test themselves at XC running. The leading athletes then qualify for the County event, from which sixteen individuals will be selected to represent Lincolnshire at the Anglian Schools’ Championships on the 3rd February 2018 at Hospital School, Suffolk. The top six runners from the County event are also guaranteed a place in the English Schools AA Championships on 17th March at Temple Newsome, Leeds.
The day’s proceedings started at 10 o’clock, with runners facing less than ideal conditions – cold, biting wind and rain! Underfoot conditions were good with the course being set in the undulating grass parkland of Burghley House. Race distances vary by age group with the youngest (Y7) competing over 2.9 km, whilst the senior boys (U19) race over 6.9 km.
Time |
Age Group |
Distance (m) |
10.00 |
Y7 Boys (U13) |
2,900 |
10.05 |
Inter Girls (U17) |
4,000 |
10.15 |
Senior Boys (U19) |
6,900 |
10.35 |
Y7 Girls (U13) |
2,300 |
10.45 |
Senior Girls (U19) |
4,000 |
10.55 |
Junior Boys (U15) |
4,000 |
11.10 |
Junior Girls (U15) |
3,500 |
11.20 |
Inter Boys (U17) |
5,700 |
GAC athletes Megan Tremain and Mazel Brown competed well in a very large field, placing 36th and 15th respectively. In the Inter Girls race Isabel Hobday had an excellent run taking 9th place and therefore qualifying for the Anglian Schools event. William Tucker and George Hatton were racing in the senior boys’ race, with both having high hopes of going further in the competition. They didn’t disappoint as they came home in 3rd and 7th respectively.
These great runs meant qualification to the next round and for William a place in the English Schools finals. Amy Crook and Ella Rose Hobday took on the 4 km course with the usual enthusiasm. Amy came in 25th, a great achievement in the cold, wet conditions. This left club athlete Harry Denton to race in the Junior Boys race. Going out like a train, Harry ‘bossed’ the race from the start settling in to a nice pace amongst the lead runners. Some hard winter training at the track has clearly paid off. As the race drew to an end, Harry moved up another gear to claim the County Schools XC Title, again taking him through to the Anglian and English Schools finals.
Overall this was a great day for the GAC athletes with many now looking forward towards the Anglian and English Schools Finals.
Click to enlarge thumbnail photos.
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