Men’s Cross Country – Race 4

For all the love I have for cross country running, I have never done it competitively. As much as I dislike winter, it has it’s good points – the running in the mud, the snow and the ice. And, for me at least, the muddier the better. It’s fun. That is Sunday mornings in January over the wedge type fun.

Having joined Massey Runners in July, I had plans to run my first cross country races this season and even in invested in some (apparently) quality cross country shoes to help. But that sprinkling of show we had in October and a misplaced step on the edge of kerb had other ideas for me. One serious ankle injury later and plans for my first competitive cross country races were put on ice until next time.

The final race of the season was local –  just short of 10k around Coombe Abbey Country Park. Although determined to take part now the injury is well on the way to healing, I was advised to spare my ankle the stress, particularly with the road race season and my first marathon in the months ahead. Instead, I watched on from the sidelines, and took my  camera to capture all the Massey action.

The day began in typical wet and cold February style, and although the sun did not arrive the rain moved on, leaving 18 Massey runners to complete the course relatively dry.

From a field of 266 runners, the first Massey in was Paul Bradley, in an impressive time just short of 35 minutes, with Gary Lawson and John Clarke coming in second and third.

Well done to all. Maybe see you there next year.

– – Stacey Raven

Massey Results –