Midland Womens XC League Race 3
Cofton Park, Birmingham
Saturday 19th January 2008

THE ALTERNATIVE RACE REPORT

Normally being team manager at a women's cross country meeting is a doddle. You just turn up, get a few hugs, hand a few numbers out; then stroll to a convenient spot with the team managers book of useless and annoying hints for runners such as, "relax" what a joke, or "don't settle", "you're catching her", "pick it up", "Not far now", "try and catch the girl in front" ("what the hell d'you think I'm trying to do, lose ground?"). However at Cofton Park there is no flat ground; by the time I got to the first shouting point, half the field had gone, then when I got over the mountain to the next I couldn't speak and me braces bust leaving me in danger of more than the usual ridicule. At this point I felt a dignified stroll to the finish was in order.

I digress.

THE RACE

The terrible two from Telford triumphed totally today, Claire Martin & Kim Fawke taking first and second places (again). This puts everyone else at a bit of a disadvantage when a Club gets two thirds of its team in with three points.

In 3rd place, and 1st vet Debbie Walters made light of the hills despite having gout in her big toe.

Josephine Grey ran to a standstill at the top of the last hill, then realised that she was just about as far across the Park from the finish as she could be, so set of again without losing a place and finished in 7th. place

Becky Sanders was bitterly disappointed at the county champs. But came back in some style today not far behind Josie in 9th place.

Sophie Williams has trained hardly at all in the last few weeks and it seems to be working up to a point as she finished 20th.

Sarah Rudge couldn't battle with her sister today so picked on Sophie, losing out narrowly to finish 21st.

Second vet home for us Rachel Cook finished 30th narrowly beating young Cath Mijovic who finished 32nd.

Young Roxanne Russell was our only junior and she never gives anything less than her best, she finished 51st. Val Carter has been poorly for some weeks but still finished 63rd. Emily Evans took the trouble to come by train; she finished 110th.

Wendy Morant, bless her finished 37th in the Men's race which followed.

Team Result

Birchfield were 2nd by 4 points, the vets. must still be winning though I don't have official results yet.

Eddie Cockayne.
Senior Women's Team Manager,
Road & XC
07836 500 464.