13th March 2010

At the World Cross Country Trials which incorporated the Inter Counties Championships at Cofton Park, Birmingham, Essex athletes produced many outstanding performances to keep the County on the sporting map.

Senior Women in action - Jessica Sparke in Red Vest with Fay Fullerton just behind Steph Twell

In the Senior Women's 8k Fay Fullerton had a brilliant run to finish 3rd overall this gave her automatic selection to the World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz in Poland on the 28th March 2010. Jessica Sparke also had a great run in 8th position with the reliable Jo Wilkinson showing what a great asset she is to the team in 10th position with Harriet Scott 28th, Charlotte Peppiatt 92nd, Karen Goode 109th and Robyn Matson not far behind earning the Essex squad Bronze Medal.

Start of the Mens race

Georgia Tuckfield striding out in the U13 Girls race

Start of the U20 race

Jessica Judd (U15) - right - holding her winning cup with her sister Jodie U13 gaining her first Essex vest

Harriet Scott - good run

Jo Wilkinson - first Vet to finish

Jessica Judd in the U15 Girls was in fantastic form winning her race with a superb display of front running, Sophie Riches also had super run in 4th.  
The Under 13 Girls took Gold Medal position for the first time since 1977, there was some terrific team packing led by the in-form Georgia Tuckfield whose strong finish gained her 2nd place, only one second behind the winner, she was ably backed up by her inspired team colleagues Maisie Jones 2lst, Millie Smith 23rd, Lydia Hallam 26th , Jodie Judd  32nd - gaining her first Essex vest - Rosa Prideaux 57th, Madeline Gough 99th and Amelia Barrett 126th.
The U20 Men also were in sparkling form showing true grit and determination they took the Silver Team medal Ronnie Sparke looked strong throughout 5th, with good support coming from Tom Frith 19th, Harun Abdi 53rd, Frankie Conway 56th, Howard Clarke 68th, Grant Webb 73rd, Dale Clutterbuck 84th and Alex Cornwell 102nd.
There were excellent team results Essex Junior Women  were 6th, Under 17 Women - 8th, Under 15 Girls - 10th, Under 13 Boys -  8th, U15 - 6th, Under 17 - 8th and Senior Men 24th.
Team Managers John Hyland and Keith Bottjer congratulated all those athletes who made the long trip to Birmingham to represent their County with the Essex Champs not taking place this year extra work was needed but the support the by athletes, coaches and parents made it all worth while;.