Midland Women’s Xc League. 2nd Fixture Burbage Common, Sat 3rd Dec. 2005

Race Report.

Firstly, we were just a simple fitness test at 09:30 this morning away from sinking without a trace; I just could not get three fit or willing runners from all the athletes who competed just a few weeks ago in the road relays.

Fortunately the aforementioned fitness test on Louise Harman’s foot was Ok and a slightly apprehensive young lady agreed to give it a go.

Burbage Common is dead flat and a bit like doing an “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” bog crawling test, if you stood still long enough you’d sink and disappear! It also is high on the list for winning this year’s doggy do prize sponsored by pedigree Chum.

I digress, so, at 2:00 pm complete with 3 runners on the line and Wendy getting changed in the back of her van, I stood at the start with camera to record the moment for posterity, where upon the starter set them off in the opposite direction and all I got was posteriors! I should really check these things, it’s just I get so excited at being let out for the afternoon. Oh yes,

Then Wendy arrived and trailed off after them clutching her number for the second time in two races. 

Cath Mijovic, as ever, ran superbly despite a huge gash in her leg from a bramble which is definitely going to stop her wearing the little mini skirt at the xmas party, actually the last time I saw her wearing a frock she was getting married four years ago.

Louise Harman came next, she of the poorly foot, most runners are lucky if they can drag a reluctant husband/boyfriend to a race, Louise has a fan club. 

I waited anxiously as she completed the first lap but she seemed fine then on the second lap she crept up on her team mate and with 400 to go sprinted past her to score second, very unsporting. 

Michelle Tanner is getting tonsillitis; I know this because she told me while she could. This is very unfortunate for Michelle as she does like to chat, I’m sure she’ll invent some other form of communication. The affliction didn’t stop her giving a hundred per cent despite being unsportingly out sprinted by Louise. 

Wendy Morant, and this is not a joke, still turned up despite the fact that her sister died from cancer two days previously. She also caught up some of the other runners. 

I realise there’s a certain amount of levity in this report but here are the bones if you want them:-

Cath Mijovic, 20th.

Louise Harman, 62nd.

Michelle Tanner, 63rd.

Team result 12th.

Wendy Morant,   thank you.

Eddie Cockayne,

Women’s Team Manager,