PETE’S POST – FEBRUARY 2024
The Cross Country County Championships are always a great opening to the new year. Before I talk about that though, I just want to mention the Buntingford “Year End” 10 mile road race, which last year incorporated the British Masters Championships. The event gave C&C another British Masters Champion, as Clare Thurgood won the W35 category in a fantastic time of 61:08. Clare was the second lady home overall. The first Lady was also from C&C, Victoria Knight, in a fantastic 58:24. What high quality running, well done both!
So, on to the Cross Country Champs., which had to be postponed from the original date, and held a couple of weeks later. Cracking results for C&C as the club, here are the Team results: U13 Boys – 1st, U13 Girls – 2nd, U15 Boys -1st, U15 Girls – 1st, U17 Men -1st, U17 Women – no completed teams, but the first two ladies were both from C&C! U20 Men – 1st, Senior Men – 1st, Masters Men – 1st, Senior Women – 1st.
Fantastic! Well done to every C&C athlete that took part, and congratulations to all our new County Champions, and medal winners!
Well done also to everyone that helped to marshal and officiate at the event. The postponement made things very difficult as some of the officials were already committed to a different event on the new date, so we should all give a very big “Thank you” to all those that stepped-in to help out.
Also in January, at Parliament Hill, Alex Melloy (pictured) ran in the trials for the British team for the World University Championships to be held in February. In an absolutely brilliant storming finish, Alex used all his strength to come through and take first place, and thereby qualify for the G.B. team. Well done Alex, cracking run!
Another of C&C’s top athletes in fine form is Holly Archer, who, on Saturday 27th Jan., ran the fastest Women’s Park Run in the whole of the UK. Holly ran 17:08 at Bushy Park, the place where Park Running originally began. Well done Holly!
February is a big month for the Friendly Frostbite League. There are two fixtures in the month, because of the January fixture being postponed. So we have Nene Park, Peterborough, on 4th Feb., followed by Hinchingbrooke Park, Hunts., on 25th Feb. C&C are currently laying second in the league, but it’s very tight at the top, so let’s aim to have really good turn-outs for the two races in Feb. Everyone is very welcome!
Don’t forget, even if you see yourself mainly as a track runner, running these sorts of events over winter are great for building that strength you need for the summer!
Finally, I want to appeal once again, for more people to join our team of officials. Speaking plainly, a shortage of officials is a real threat to the future of athletics. It could, and has already, lead to postponements of complete competitions, or events not going ahead as scheduled within a competition. Imagine training for weeks, then travelling to a competition, only to find that your event has been cancelled.
There are lots of different and interesting roles to be done. Some helpful things can be done without qualifications, so you can come along, give things a try, and gain valuable experience . For qualified roles, full training is given, which the club will pay for.
Please do give this some consideration. You will be playing a key part in keeping our great sport going. Don’t forget, officiating can be a career in itself. Who knows where it could lead you! Your Olympic dreams may still be alive!
Please contact: [email protected] to find out more. Thank you.
Have a fantastic February! Keep going, let’s keep building on the great start that we have made to 2024!