Race report by Frances Sutherland
The first cross country fixture of this season was on Saturday October 12th at Horspath, Oxford, and for Queen's Park Harriers our first time in Division 1.
The course starts on a playing field, then you head up through beautiful woodland. The word to notice in that sentence is, UP! If you have ever run this course then you will remember the steep hill, and the corner which leads on to … more hill.
The place to race has to be the flat bit at the top, because after that it is all downhill. Good spikes help and for me it was the first time I’ve ever run in spikes, and it was great fun. I kept three runners in sight for most of the course although as I approached the finish line a voice called out that under 17 year old men should keep to the right. I managed to get in a few seconds before the winner of the following race and retained my usual position.
So, for any women hesitating to run in this cross country league, this is your time. It took me 41.41 to run the 5k. Come along to the next fixture and prove that you can beat me!
Well done to everyone who made the trip, every runner counts and contributes towards the points total for QPH.
Our top three senior men runners were Neil Hutchison coming in first for QPH in 35.38, Sathiyan Sivathas second in 35.57 and Martin Hanicinec third in 36.28. Our top three senior women were Michelle Maddick in 24.04, second Jessica Ainsley-Gill in 26.22 and Melanie McGovern in 26.28.
We’re currently bottom of the league, all the more reason for everyone to join us next time at Milton Keynes, Teardrops Lakes on Saturday 9th November. It really is good fun—a great team spirit and such a welcoming atmosphere.