Vale of York athletes participated in more Cross Country events throughout November, including the West Yorkshire Cross Country League and PECO.
West Yorkshire Cross Country – Race 2 – Thornes Park, Wakefield
Despite a challenging climb and slippy downhill at Thornes Park, there were some very strong performances across the board from the Vale. Highlights included:
– Will Walker U20M and Harry Bromley U20M who are currently first and second in the U20M league table.
– Tom Fell led the senior men’s team home followed by Cam Bryson. They lie fifth and seventh overall in the league. Tom followed up his strong off-road performance with a strong 32:07 on the roads at Leeds Abbey Dash. He is closing in on Will Haw’s 31:42 men’s club record set at the same event two years previously.
– The women’s squad (pictured above) fielded a full team for a second time, led home by Katie Adams who is 3rd overall in the U20W competition. Eva Newall is fifth U20W. As ever, the women embodied the spirit of the day with strong and stylish performances and huge support for everyone across the board.
– The men’s senior team came second again, just behind Leeds City. The men tighten their grip on yet another second place finish overall, but there are challenges ahead as the York students head home for the Christmas break. Any men out there who can race on Saturday 20 December in Leeds, we need you to race to make a team of six!
Next WYXC race is this Sunday 7 December at Rothwell which is usually a very muddy one. Bring your longest spikes and a change of clothes. Full details on Teamo.
PECO Cross Country – Race 1 – Middleton Park
The weather was incredibly kind for our first PECO race of the season as the sun shone bright on the burnt out cars of Middleton Park. A huge turnout on Armistice Day saw our juniors and seniors out in massive numbers which was acknowledged by spectators and marshals who passed on a number of kind comments about our attitude and conviviality. Thanks to all those who lugged stuff up the hill, supplied cakes, biscuits, and scones, and raced, supported, and cheered.
We’re proud of everyone who turns out for PECO, and our goal is always to simply show up in style to complete every race for the end-of-season merchandise money just can’t buy. We don’t want to rank our children, even though the leagues do. We just want to give them best opportunities we can, so they can all fulfil their own potential through athletics and running. Hansen was wrong. We can win everything with kids.
– The Vale of York senior women are currently tied in first place with Horsforth. Our women only gained promotion to the First Division last year, so dare they dream of back-to-back promotions and the dizzy heights of the Premier Division next year? Time will tell as the season progresses.
– Our senior men lie a strong second overall in the Second Division and could have potential for promotion themselves if they can survive the student exodus over the Christmas break.
– Steve Middup was fourth M65 and featured in an epic grimacing sprint home alongside a smiling Martin Senior.
Next PECO is Sunday 14 December at Pontefract which should be a full distance affair this year. Full details coming on Teamo.
