A GLORIOUSLY sunny day greeted competitors at this year’s British Masters Cross Country Championships in Bath at the weekend and there was a team gold medal for Stratford Athletic Club.
Competitors came from all parts of the British Isles to run the rectangular course. The race started on a downhill slope, ensuring a fast start, and there were then two left-hand turns before the runners had a long, slow incline to the top of the rectangle before a further two left-hand turns had them running back down the slope and past the start.
Stratford had three runners competing – David Jones in the M65 age group and Roger Wilson and Phil Brennan in the M70 group.
These runners completed three laps of the course in this 6km race. David was the first Stratford runner home in a time of 25.29, finishing 41st overall and seventh in his age group.
He was really pleased with his run, particularly his strength on the third incline.
Next to finish for Stratford was Roger (25.45 – 46th). His form since returning from 12 months of injury frustration has been nothing short of remarkable and his wonderful run earned him a richly deserved bronze medal in his age group, just 12 seconds off the silver medal position.
Phil’s performance (27.29 – 66th and sixth in age group) was even more remarkable given the fact that on the previous day he had won a bronze medal in British Masters Athletic Federation Championships 1,500m M70 at Lee Valley Stadium in a time of 6.08.02.
The trio were absolutely delighted to win the team gold medal for Stratford Athletic Club in the M65-74 category.
See this week’s Observer for more news from Stratford AC.
