20/2/05
Cross Country: Nationals.Whilst Oli is away having fun on Jon Duncan's stag do I had something a bit more serious to do: make my debut in the national cross country championships. With over 450 women competing it was a pretty exciting race. My previous experience of cross country includes a few races back at school in York and then a 3rd in the South Yorkshires and 55th in the Northerns earlier this year. I ran for Hallamshire Harriers along with Rachael Elder but unfortunately we didn't get a team out this year. I finished a creditable (I think) 124th with 34.25 for a hilly (but not at all muddy unfortunately!) 8km with Rach not far down in time in 170th. Becca Kendall also ran finishing 94th for Kenilworth. The race was won by Hayley Yelling and it was pretty cool just to run in the same race as the European Cross Country Champ, even if I was only half way round the final lap of Cofton Park when they announced her finishing! Sheffield student Hattie Dean (who trains with us on Tuesday nights) finished a fantastic 3rd after recently winning BUSA. Visit www.hallamshireharriers.co.uk for more info!