Midland Women’s XC League + Birmingham XC League 15/1/22

19 January 2022

Last weekend the Harriers women headed to the incredibly hilly Burton Dassett Country Park for the 3rd round of the Midland Women’s Cross Country League. If the hills weren’t challenging enough the course was also muddy and slippery due to the previous week's weather. After a fall in the Gloucestershire Cross Country Championships the previous week Kaitlyn Sheppard followed it up with another fall in the Warwickshire hills. However, still undeterred by the slippery ground Sheppard made an impressive League debut, battling hard to the line to finish in 11th and 5th junior. Next Harrier to finish was Rachel See who ran well up the hills, moving through the field in the later stages to take 21st. Petra Vymetalova continued her solid season with a 66th finish. Not to be outdone by her daughter Sarah Sheppard made it two falls in one race, but still managed to finish the race in a fantastic 87th. Holly Derrick and Brittany Crombie completed the Harrier team in 100th and 111th respectively. The latter was a brilliant club debut for Crombie. Overall, the team finished a brilliant 8th out of 18 teams that included the likes of Loughborough and Birmingham University. 

(Photo: The SW team)

Meanwhile, the men competed in the 3rd round of the Birmingham Cross Country League in Smethwick. The league always features a field of the area's very best athletes. Continuing his superb season Chris Wagstaff ran well to finish in 55th place. Rupert Denny, Harrison Miles and George Sheppard all finished within 30 seconds of one another in 134th, 142nd and 145th respectively. Martin Foster was the next Harrier in 173rd, just ahead of teammate Elliot Prince in 176th. Rhys Pippard, Sam Glider and Ross Swain ran well to finish in 204th, 220th and 244th.

(Photo: The SM team)