Debbie Walters Leads Stagbearers to Victory in Second Women's X-C Fixture


After missing the first fixture at Senneleys Park to win the Snowdonia Marathon, Debbie Walters returned last Saturday to place third in the second Midland Women's Cross Country League race at Coventry's Coundon Hall Park and leading Birchfield Harriers to victory in both the Senior and Masters team competitions.

The 39-year old teaching Assistant at Aldridge Comprehensive School completed the flat fast course in three seconds less than 26 minutes as the first over 35 competitor. Physiotherapist Becky Sanders who hails from Coventry ran well to place seventh in 26:58 with 35-year old Staffordshire champion Amanda Dalkins advancing seven places compared with last time to complete the scoring trio just one position and five seconds behind her much younger team mate. Sally Latham also improved by seven places to squeeze into the Top Twenty by one place in a time of 28 mins 33 seconds. A week after placing third in the Clowne Half Marathon in Derbyshire, Elena James advanced a spectacular 24 positions to get within two places and half a dozen seconds of her team mate in 21st position.

Despite the handicap of a nasty cough, Rachel Cook placed 24th in 28 mins 50 secs. The Assistant Head Teacher at Joseph Leckie School in Walsall with support from Debbie Walters and Amanda Dalkins recorded their second consecutive Veterans team victory.

After missing the opening fixture, Cath Mijovic returned as the ninth placed Veteran in 36th place in 29 mins 27 secs. Sarah Rudge (the twin sister of Sally Latham) followed one place later in 29:51. Aimee Booth continues to make progress finishing 45th whilst on her debut teenager Lindsey Baker finished 75th.

The Stagbearers scored 18 points to defeat Telford AC, who had won the first fixture, by three points with traditional rivals Tipton Harriers having to settle for third place on this occasion.

The margin of victory was considerably greater in the Masters event. Birchfield Harriers scored 35 points to finish more than one hundred points ahead of their nearest challengers in the 14 clubs event.


Tom McCook
5 December 2007