Race reports by Dave Phillips.
1. Saturday 6/1/18 – Warwicks and Worcs Annual Cross Country Champs, Warley Woods, Smethwick, B’ham.
Well where else would you never go on any Saturday-or any other day for that matter? Why Smethwick of course. But to be fair Warley Woods is a super wooded area, away from main roads and ideal for XC events and that’s why for the 2nd time in 3 years the joint venture has been here. It was a huge event with races from 3000m to 6000m for boys and girls from 13 t0 20 then the seniors’ events for ladies 6000m and men 10000m (10k).
The men’s 10k was a 4 lapper with a nasty muddy hill at on each lap, then a very muddy wooded section before 4 times along and back on the grassy lower section of the park. Massey men had 8 runners and the ladies 1 (thought I saw 2 but only 1 in the results).
281 men started the joint men’s event and it was not long before I was lapped as indeed were others in our 8. We all finished and met in the Dog pub nearby afterwards so a good team spirit was the main feature of the day.
The ladies race had 175 starters so again the course was pretty well packed.
Results Massey Men (overall for the combined 2 counties).
53 Dean Clarke 35.48
76 Simon Neal 37.04
115 Simon Brown 38.49
125 Dave Clarke 39.16
174 Dave Lee 41.56
197 Tony Hoy 43.14
260 Martin Smith 49.51
281 Dave Phillips 71.53 (Unofficial Sweeper for the 4th successive time in the joint XC. Anyone beat that?).
Team Position in the Warwickshire Champs 10th out of 14. 1st 4 were counters.
Ladies 6000 m.
163 Casey Leaver 36.48
2. Sunday 7/1/18 – Centurion 5 mile at Chelmsley Wood.
This was the 3rd race in their 6 race series and again why would anyone ever go to Chelmsley Wood? I well remember a few years ago leaving their race and the kids on the bridge overhead were chucking bricks at the cars below them. They somehow missed my car but it’s a dodgy place.
However the races are great as they are all off road round a wooded and parkland area following the river and round the large lake. So no roads or traffic and hardly any houses visible. Plus the wildlife on the lake was great.
The paths, trails and track were icy, muddy and very stony so dodgy all round really but a super event then back to the college HQ for prize giving and the free raffle draw.
Plus Martin Judge came 3rd in the vets and collected his award to great applause. Well done Judgie.
Massey times.
Martin Judge 37.16
Dave Phillips 62.06 (but not last !!)