PETE’S POST – DECEMBER 2023
It’s the final month of the year, and what a year it has been for C&C!
The club won Team titles at the National Cross Country Championships in the early part of the year, and at the National Cross Country Relays in November. Our athletes set National and European records, and topped British and European Rankings. We won promotion in the Southern Athletics League. Our Lady Masters Team won medals in the EMAC league, and individuals won British and European Masters medals too. At the other end of the age scale, C&C won medals at the National Schools Championships as well. And we won the Round Norfolk Relay! I could go on and on, there’s so much more that could be mentioned.
The prospects for 2024 are really exciting. It’s Olympic year, and just over the Channel in Paris! It’s going to be fabulous, and inspirational. Hopefully the event will provide a renewed uplift in interest in Athletics, and our club could benefit from this.
2024 will be the year where we will be aiming to really grow the club at the new track at Carver. Mo, Mark, and Stef have been doing some great coaching there, and it’s astonishing how quickly the new athletes have improved already. The Cambridge track is due to be re-laid in either 2024 or 2025 (a decision hasn’t been made yet, you will know as soon as it has been), and the Carver track will provide us with an alternative training and racing option.
Coming back to the present, and in recent weeks the club had a great turn-out at the St Neots Half Marathon (pictured). As already reported, C&C were the first team home, and a fantastic run from Charlotte East saw her take the prize for 3rd Lady.
The recent British Athletics Cross Challenge in Liverpool was a selection race for the G.B. team for the European Cross Country Championships to take place in Belgium on 10th December. Callum Elson again showed his strength, powering through the deep mud, to take 6th place in the Senior Men’s race. This performance, backed up by his many other outstanding performances this year, ensured Callum’s selection for the G.B. team.
Also running absolutely brilliantly, was Alex Melloy, in the 1 mile. Despite being probably the youngest athlete in the race, he quietly hung in amongst the lead group before timing his run-in beautifully to take 3rd place. Unfortunately only the first two runners made selection from this race, but Alex is down as the first reserve. What potential he has!
In the Hereward “Relay”, Michael Frape made a one-man team and did the whole 40 miles himself, in a time of 7 hrs., 34 mins., incredible! As a club, we had no less than 4 teams in top 50 places.
On the same weekend I was at the Sport Hall event in Peterborough. What a wonderful idea this is! Where young athletes can practice really useful skills like single leg balance and “Speed bouncing”, while enjoying a bit of friendly competition too. Many of our summer Track and Field Officials were there, how lucky we are as a club to have such a brilliant team of volunteers in this area. Don’t forget that we are always looking for more help in this area, so please do get in touch if you would like to join this team.
On the subject of volunteers, many thanks to Joey Colley and Nathan Graves who will be taking over the organisation of the Arkwrights League, and the Cambourne 10k, respectively, in the coming year. Our thanks to Ben Meadows and Gordon Aspin who have carried out these roles superbly for a number of years, and will be there to help and support Joey and Nathan to ensure a smooth transition.
Julia Watkinson, who has done such an excellent job reporting club news for the last two years, has decided to step aside in the new year. This is an exciting and rewarding role as you get to hear of the club’s successes first-hand, and then spread the word to the members. If this is an area that you feel you could help with please let either myself or Julia know:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Thank you.
Finally, a mention for our Club President, Neil Costello. Neil’s running for C&C in the latest Frostbite League match completed 65 years of competitive racing! It all began when, as an 11 year old, he completed in an Under 13 Cross Country race. Despite being one of the youngest in the field he came in the top 5, fell in love with the sport, and has been competing ever since. What inspirational longevity! And he still holds a club record or two!
Have a fantastic Christmas and a wonderful 2024!