The 3rd Kent cross country league of the season took place in the dry conditions at Danson Park, Bexley on Saturday 13th November. There were no senior men’s race. The men will compete at Footscray Meadows on Saturday 27th November where the women do not compete.
There was supportive team running by the senior ladies. Another competitive run from Liz Weeks (W40) and first across the line for the team in a creditable 14th place. Improving considerably from the previous match, Vera Hunter (W35) 21st, along with Taryne McPherson (W45) 32nd meaning the team finished in 3rd place. Strong support came from Jenny Fowler (W45) 36th, Karen Cudmore (W45) 44th and Chloe Hammond (W40) 48th, to complete the 6 to score team and also in 3rd place on the day. Vanessa Vander (W35) 83rd and Catherine Rodwell (111th) supporting their team-mates. Due to an unfortunate delay getting to the venue, Antel Muller starting after the gun, managed to pace her way around from the back of the field finishing in a credible 116th in a field of 139 competitors. With one match to go but not taking place until February, the ladies are currently in 3rd place in both the 3 to score and 6 to score.
M&M had a full team out competing in both the Under 17 and Under 20 Women categories. In the Under 17 race, Abigail Royden continued her excellent season by finishing 6th, followed by Ella Webb 10th and Lily Crossley 11th place. Next back for M&M was Annabel Young in 16th, Lola Sutton 20th, Ingrid Linn 24th and Ciara Harrop 28th. The Under 17 Women finished 3rd in the team event on the day and sit in a very respectable 3rd place overall after 3 Kent League events.
In the U20 Women’s event, Charlotte Young ran a superb race to take first place. She was followed by Billie Rouse in 5th place and Rachel Anderson in 9th place.
There were good team turnouts in the U15 and U13s Girls’ teams. Another strong run for Iris Crossley (6th) followed by teammates Natalia Austin (8th) and Amber Matthews (12th) completing the 3 to score team and 2nd overall on the day. There was strong backup by Millie Dack (14th), Macey Sawyer (18th), Beth Palmer (25th), Heidi Hughes (29th), Erin Marsh (29th), Molly Marsh (36th) and Sophie Stratford (38th). The team are currently in 2nd place overall.
In the U13s Rose Crossley had another superb run for 3rd place. Improving Sofia Cudmore-Smith following close behind in 5th and Sienna Mabb running strong for 13th place. The team finishing in 1st place on the day and are currently in 1st place in the team standings. There was strong back up by Sienna Gratwick (30th), Darcy Scott (38th), Mia Blaber (41st), Maisie Graham (46th) and Mary-Ann Sawyer (49th).
In the U20s Ethan Gear ran strongly to take first place with Alex Donnelly in 8th, Sean Barwick 11th and Isaac Thomas in 19th. The team taking 1st place on the day and currently 3rd in the team standings.
The U17s saw another gutsy run by Hayden Gear in 2nd place. Callum Featherstone (15th), Cameron Featherstone (16th) and Jacob Graham (26th). The team are currently in 3rd place in the standings after finishing 3rd on the day.
There was a great turnout for the U13 Boys race with Freddie Gibson (10:41) having a great result finishing 3rd, followed home by Reuben Sarakbi (10:56) 10th and Owen Tucker (11:09) 18th to complete the team; they were ably supported by Henry Powell (12:00) and Oliver Field (12:02) who finished 36th and 37th respectively on their debuts, Jake Alford (12:04) 38th, Sam Fowler (12:30) 43rd, Luca Gratwick (13:14) 53rd, Alex Anderson (13:14) 54th, Louie Gear (13:20) 58th and Sebastian Charilaou (14:21) 66th. The team finished second on the day and are in 5th place with one race remaining.
A depleted U15 Boys team had another strong performance despite some of the team racing elsewhere, Franklin Shepherd (13:41) led the team home in 2nd place, followed by Riley Maisey (14:10) in 6th and the team was completed by Henry Gibson (15:20) in 16th; they were supported by Ethan Rollings (15:29) 18th and Jay Trimmer (16:13) 30th.
The team finished second on the day but remain in first place, their final match is at Foots Cray meadows on the 28th.
In the individual standings, Franklin and Riley are tied points for the lead – split by just 1 second and Franklin leads by virtue of two second place finishes.