Sunday 3rd Weekly News

Severn Athletic Club repeated their first race second place in the second race of the Birmingham Cross-Country Division Three held over a damp 5.75 mile course at Plock Court.

They are comfortably ahead of the other promotion candidates Nuneaton and Aldridge with three spots available. League leaders Newcastle(Staffs) are well clear. Captain Steve Hale said “We can improve, our target remains the championship”.

Severn’s vice captain James Rose led the team. From the gun establishing himself in fourth, challenged unsuccessfully for third place, finishing in a league best placing 4th in 33:55. Chris Brown ran a isolated race for a league best placing 5th in 34:33.

Vital points were won by Severn’s remaining scorers. Repeating their slow start then moving through the field, focusing on the Nuneaton vests and pacing each other as they pased their rivals. Ian Overthtow(V50) passed fifteen from half way placing 32nd in 37:29. 21year old Sam Turner improved thirteen positions on race one, his finishing speed taking four in the final 100 metre for 34th in 37:33. Alex Hope(V50),  36th in 37:40 took two in the final sprint.

Team scorers were completed by Alex’s son, debutante 23 year old Ben Hope 49th in 38:24.

Severn’s back up runners placed 74th Steve Hale(V40) 40:19, 79th Andy Brown(V55) 40:54, 91st Alex Jenkins 41:46 (league best by 39 positions), 165th Greg Leyshon(V65) 52:15 & 167th Kevin Probyn(V45) 53:10. 145 ran.

Details: 1st Felix McGrath (Newcastle) 32:01.

Teams: 1st Newcastle 62, 2nd Severn 161, 3rd Nuneaton 173, 4th Aldridge 189, 5th Amazing Feet 225, 6th Sparkhill 285. 18 teams competed.

Sheriff of Gloucester Councillor Paul Toleman supported the race welcoming and thanking the Midland clubs for coming to the city to compete in the race.

Finally we would like to thank all the club members and volunteers that supported in holding the 1st 2 fixtures here at Plock Court, these events couldn’t have been put on without you. The league also would like to acknowledge you all for for your support and thanked us for putting on two very well ran fixtures.

Parkruns: Gloucester North 2nd Andy Munro(V45) 20:33. 96 ran.

Kingsway 67th Phil Reece(V50) 25:38. 179 ran.

Pomphrey Hill 66th Neil Taylor(V45) 26:20. 214 ran.