Club Race News
Severn Athletic Club have championship aspirations after their second place of nineteen teams in the opening Birmingham Cross Country League Division Three 5.5 mile race at Plock Court.
Severn’s resurgence was headed by James Rose and Chris Brown. Quickly settling in together behind the leading quartet in fifth and sixth place, they were part of the spreading of the leading ten runners when race victor Felix McGrath(Newcastle) upped the pace at half way. He won by 400 metres in 31:04.
Rose got the better of the Severn battle moving away from Brown at 3 miles. He tried to chase down last years division champion Paul Little(Droitwich) but starting his finishing charge too late, failed. He was fifth in 33:18 with Brown sixth in 34:01. Both league best positions.
Richard Brown was up thirty places on his last league run placing 17th in 35:41.
Severn’s other three scorers all produced dramatic points gaining surges in the closing miles. Veteran 50 athletes Alex Hope and Ian Overthrow were about 50th at two miles. Hope finished 30th in 36:43, Overthrow 36th in 37:07(league best). Team youngster Sam Turner was 70th at halfway, 59th a mile out, continued gaining places, sprinting past five in the final 100 metres. He placed a career best 47th in 38:21.
Severn stalwarts backed up the scorers: 64th Andy Brown(V55) 39:20 (league best), 145th Les Davis(V70) 45:29 (oldest Severn league runner ever) and 172nd Kevin Probyn(V50) 51:15 (league best). 178 ran.
Delighted injured team captain
Steve Hale is ambitious for the team. “We can improve and win the championship by the seasons end”.
Leading Team Points: 1st Newcastle(Staffs) 90, 2nd Severn 141, 3rd Nuneaton 178, 4th Aldridge 187, 5th Solihull & Small Heath 237, 6th Sphinx 272.
Parkruns: Kingsway, 121st John James(V65) 27:54 & 122 Sandra Brown(LV55) 27:57. 256 ran.
Lydney, 3rd Alex Rawlings(JM-15) 19:39 & 31st Emma Rawlings(LV40) 25:02. 111 ran.
Severn AC 