Roadhoggs guys answered the call and turned out for the 3rd race in this season’s cross-country league at Martinshaw Woods. New Roadhoggs Ross Jackson made is xc debut and it was good to welcome back John Davies after a long time away with a back injury. But our ladies team is still suffering from a lack of numbers … just 2 came along and, with thanks to Hayley and Helen who were out there slogging through the mud for the club, we still need more of you Hoggettes out there to bag the ladies a good league place in the last 2 races to come.
It was bright and sunny at Martinshaw and there was much jolly chat around our tent as the Roadhoggs team prepared for the run. First off were the Singh boys in the junior races, with Ashveer getting another top 10 finish and Gurtej saying he ‘passed loads’ in the run-in so clearly he is a fast finisher.
Then the guys went first in the senior race, followed 10 minutes later by the ladies. The Martinshaw course is 5.7 miles of twisting woodland tracks with a run around a small field in the middle. There are no hills to speak of but still plenty of up and down on the undulating sections of the course. And being in the woods, there are tree roots and rocks in the ground so you had to go carefully … both Sam and Vijay fell during the race but got back up and carried on like true runners. Gurmit again was first home with a terrific 13th place, followed by Sam and Daniel who is much improved over the country. Then came Dave Lod and our two John Ds, Drake and Davies. Nigel was next, also an improved mudrunner, and then Steve W and new guy Ross. Marcus, Lee and Vijay completed the team. Our middle order all finished close to each other so they must have been chasing and pushing each other all the way round. For the ladies, Hayley ran a super race after her County Champs run just a week ago, back up by Helen who seems to improve with age like a good wine. To be fair, all of the Roadhoggs did really well here and should be well pleased with their runs on what was a challenging course.
The next race will be at Mallory Park on Sunday 30th January (not on the racetrack though!). Come on you Roadhoggs guys and especially you Roadhoggs girls, let’s see you all out there enjoying a lovely run around the countryside. If you haven’t tried cross-country running yet, this is a good course to give it a go … ask any of our regular xc runners and they will tell you that it is challenging but very friendly and enjoyable and everyone is welcome.
RESULTS:
JUNIORS yrs7-12: 8th Ashveer Garcha 15.51, 15th Gurtej Garcha 17.33, 28 finished.
MEN: 13th Gurmit Singh (V40) 36.12, 43rd Sam Jolly 38.53, 97th Daniel del Greco 43.32, 115th Dave Lodwick (V60) 44.42, 134th John Drake 46.14, 158th John Davies (V55) 49.11, 159th Nigel Maddern (V50) 49.12, 163rd Steve Wheeler (V50) 49.22, 172nd Ross Jackson 50.07, 181st Marcus Shaikh (V45) 50.54, 217th Lee Fairclough (V40) 55.10, 253rd Vijay Kotecha (V60) 75.25, 253 finished.
LADIES: 28th Hayley Abraham 49.09, 67th Helen Arthur (V50) 55.42, 145 finished.
TEAMS (all division 2): Men 4th, Ladies unplaced, Combined 7th.
TEAMS AFTER 2 RACES: Men 4th, Ladies 11th, Combined 7th.
The next DR XC League races are:
Race 4 at Mallory Park on Sunday 30th January.
Race 5 at Bosworth Battlefield on Sunday 6th March.
Kim, Sam and Trudy, your cross-country Captains.
