Severn Athletic Club were successful in gaining promotion from Division Three of the Birmingham Cross-Country League, placing fourth in the final race held over a sodden 6 mile Walsall course. After three consecutive near misses, elated club secretary Chris Brown said, “After a close battle all season, Division Two will be a challenge”.
Nuneaton Harriers, Sphinx AC and Severn AC were all in contention for the third promotion spot. Nuneaton team scorers were behind the Severn scorers early on, with Sphinx having three runners ahead of Severn’s best. Captain James Rose, who stayed off the leading runners, then progressed from 20th at two miles to a seasons best of 12th. Chris Brown and Alex Hope joined forces at half way earning vital points during the race’s second half. Brown finished 26th, Hope 27th.
Sphinx were clearly ahead with promotion determined by each club’s first six runners aggregate points total. All depended on Severn’s new signings in their first cross-country season scoring well, ahead of Sphinx’s last counters. They responded to the challenge superbly, running as a unit placing in the mid thirties before resolving their individual pecking order in a flat out last half mile. Dan Nurse(34th), Archie Fox(35th), Matt Hitchings(36th), Jim Smith(37th) finishing ahead of Sphinx’s last two scorers to ensure Severn’s overall points total thwarted their late charge.
Individual Times & Placings: 1 Ian Radford (Black Pear Joggers) 33:54. Severn AC: 12 James Rose(V40) 36:04, 26 Chris Brown(V40) 37:42, 27 Alex Hope(V55) 37:46, 34 Dan Nurse(V40) 38:31, 35 Archie Fox 38:31, 36 Matt Hitchings(V40)n 38:33, 37 Jim Smith(V40) 38:36, 93 Tom Adams 42:18, 116 Alex Jenkins 43:38 & Murco Overthrow(V50) 45:48. 213 ran.
Four Race Series Team Points: 1 Western Tempo 102, 2 Black Pear Joggers(Worcester) 759, Severn AC 855, Sphinx AC(Coventry) 882, Nuneaton Harriers 1006, 6 Kings Heath RC 1157. 22 Teams.
Severn AC 
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