15th March 2008

Essex athletes did the County proud with individual success and team silver at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships and World Trials held at Woollaton Park, Nottingham on Saturday.

 

In the Senior Women's 8km race, Jo Wilkinson was in brilliant form working hard throughout she stormed home to finish a tremendous 2nd - qualifying for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships to be held at Edinburgh on 30th March this year. Fay Fullerton was another athlete to hit top form running her heart out she came a superb 4th also earning a call up to the GB team. Excellent team support came from Alexa Joel - 14th, Lauren Deadman 42nd, Linzi Snow 43rd, Nicola Rogers 63rd, Claire Cornwell 89th, Danielle Tatum 92nd and Robyn Matson 128th the team finished a magnificent 2nd.

Another star performance came in the U13 race from Jessica Judd who won her 3rd major title this year having previously won the Southern and the National. Jessica broke away from the main pack for a convincing win and she was well supported with good runs from her colleagues. The team finished 6th.



Jessica Judd holding her Winners TrophyIn the U20 Men's 8000km, Benjamin Hunter showed up well in 9th position. Ronnie Sparke was an impressive 6th in the U17 Men's race with Lloyd Heard 20th.

In the U15 Boys, Ollie Davey gave a good account of himself in 16th whilst in the U13 Boys Thomas Richardson, who started off in the pen in 8th position, showed what excellent pace judgement he had to finish a superb 19th out of a field of 300 runners, being the first Essex boy to score.


Team Managers John Hyland and Keith Bottjer would like to thank all 84 athletes who turned up to represent Essex their commitment was appreciated, we would also like to thank Basildon AC for the use of their marquee and the County for purchasing a new banner which was a great focal point for athletes, parents and friends.

Full Results are available at the UK Athletics Website

Start of Ladies Race