It was a bright sunny day in February (unusually warm for the time of year), as we pulled up in the minibus to Harewood House in Leeds. This would be the site of the National Cross Country. On initial inspection of the grassy course, we noticed the hilly terrain which would provide a extra challenge of the race. After a warm up the Junior Women race was underway with Holly P, and Aiste R representing UOLRAC. Both go of to great starts tackling the initial uphill. Junior Women were racing across 6km of the course. Aiste finished in 38th place with a time of 23:43, followed by Holly in 124th with a time of 30:18, a great run for her first National XC. Next up in the race schedule was the 8km Senior Women’s race. Representing UOLRAC was Frances Arnott, Amy Coulson, and Harriet Smailes. All the women ran excellent races with Frances achieving 191st (35:10), Amy finishing 670th (43:16), and Harriet finishing 845th (47:08). In the 10km Junior Men’s race Aric was representing his home club of Abingdon AC. Aric raced of swiftly, finishing the race with the excellent time of 35:31 (162nd). The Senior Men’s race was 12km. UOLRAC runners included Stephan Headley, Steven Ellis, Andrew, and Kyle. Stephen Headley dominated the race finishing with a time of 43:03. Andrew and Kyle were neck and neck for the whole 2 laps, with times of 47:54 and 47:58 respectively. Steven Ellis finished with a great time of 57:55. Overall of runners ran a great race. The course was dominated by steep unrelenting hills; which we could all feel in our legs the next day.
National XC Champs 2019!
