Cardiff Cross Challenge, Cleevewold, Oxford Half + Great South Run

21 October 2021

Last weekend saw the return of the Cross Challenge series after an 18 month hiatus due to the pandemic. The series returned in Cardiff with four Harriers making the trip. 

Kaitlyn Sheppard and Georgia Palmer kicked things off competing in the U20 race. Sheppard set off with intention chasing down the fast start of eventual race winner Megan Keith. The commitment paid off with a brilliant 4th place finish, her highest ever finish in the Cross Challenge series. Palmer has been improving rapidly through 2021 and impressed in Cardiff with a brilliant 7th place finish. Due to being at Cardiff University Palmer was also competing in the combined Gwent League where she finished 2nd.  

(Photo: All smiles from Georgia Palmer after the Cardiff Cross Challenge)

Jamie Harper competed in the Senior Men's race over 9km working his way through the field to finish a fantastic 27th and Rachel See ran well to finish 27th in the Senior Women’s race. 

The Harriers hosted the annual Cleevewold 14 mile multi-terrain race over the weekend. The tough hilly course covers the highest points of the Cotswold Hills. The leading Harrier finisher was Paul Barnes in 17th overall and a superb 1st M60 in 2:09.09. Just behind in 20th was Michael Ede who took 2nd M60 in 2:10..28. Michael Imeson was 6th M60 in 46th overall in a time fractionally over 3 hours, 3:00.23.

(Photo: Our three Harriers tackling the Cleevewold)

There was also some brilliant road running action this weekend. At the Oxford Half Marathon Chris Wagstaff impressed, finishing in the top 10. Wasgstaff was 9th in a well deserved PB of 1:14.44. Andy Gore was 1st M50-54 in a SB of 1:19.24 and Martin Foster ran a PB of 1:21.12 for 6th M45-49. At the Great South Run 10 mile race Nick Holliday was 2nd M60 in 1:05.47, Mike Wheeler ran 1:23.30 and Caroline Cotterell 2:06.03

(Photo: Martin Foster, Andy Gore and Chris Wagstaff at the Oxford Half)