English Schools Cross Country News
Lesley had kept me informed during the afternoon and the headline seemed to be that Westbury and Yate athletes had had a very good day, with several finishing the first fifty – always a good measure in an event as big as English Schools.
A number of athletes suffered from the mass start, picking up spike injuries, none of which held them back at all. This included the boy who discovered that his leg was covered in blood when he finished and needed seven stitches. Unusually, there were facilities on hand for stitches to be done on site, without the need for carrying anyone off to hospital.
Lesley noted that as well as the normal first aid cover, there was a mountain rescue team on hand! And this indicated the kind of course that athletes were faced with. She herself took the sensible decision NOT to walk the course with the senior girls.
In the under-15 girls race a fascinating story unfolded as the girls came in. Ellie Hobbs finished in fourteenth place – in itself a noteworthy achievement. But then look at the results around her. The 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th finishers all clocked 11:54; the 13th girl clocked 11:55, and Ellie clocked 11:56. So a bit like the Battle of Waterloo – a damn close-run thing. The first eight in the race get picked for England; nine and ten are reserves.
So Ellie was just two seconds off an international vest. And she has another year in that age group.
Her sister, Hannah finished 25th, Ellie Leather 63rd and Rosie Allen 99th (after falling at the start). To say that Pat Gallagher was over the moon is putting it mildly.
Aidan Noble was the best Avon finisher in the boys’ races, coming home in 32nd – continuing his good form this winter.
So no trophies for Avon this year – but some really good Westbury and Yate performances.
A number of athletes suffered from the mass start, picking up spike injuries, none of which held them back at all. This included the boy who discovered that his leg was covered in blood when he finished and needed seven stitches. Unusually, there were facilities on hand for stitches to be done on site, without the need for carrying anyone off to hospital.
Lesley noted that as well as the normal first aid cover, there was a mountain rescue team on hand! And this indicated the kind of course that athletes were faced with. She herself took the sensible decision NOT to walk the course with the senior girls.
In the under-15 girls race a fascinating story unfolded as the girls came in. Ellie Hobbs finished in fourteenth place – in itself a noteworthy achievement. But then look at the results around her. The 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th finishers all clocked 11:54; the 13th girl clocked 11:55, and Ellie clocked 11:56. So a bit like the Battle of Waterloo – a damn close-run thing. The first eight in the race get picked for England; nine and ten are reserves.
So Ellie was just two seconds off an international vest. And she has another year in that age group.
Her sister, Hannah finished 25th, Ellie Leather 63rd and Rosie Allen 99th (after falling at the start). To say that Pat Gallagher was over the moon is putting it mildly.
Aidan Noble was the best Avon finisher in the boys’ races, coming home in 32nd – continuing his good form this winter.
So no trophies for Avon this year – but some really good Westbury and Yate performances.
Stuart
