Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow Athletic Club

WSEH played hosts to the 4th in the Apex Sports Chiltern Cross Country series on Saturday when some 500 runners from 30 clubs, converged on Upton Court Park in Slough for the combined Div 1 and 2 fixture.. WSEH athletes were well to the fore in most of the 10 races, with local athletes stealing the glory in the first and last races of the day, Beccy Croft winning the opening Under 11 Girls Race and Nathan White the final Senior Mens event. The overall match was also won by the local club.

Senior Mens Race

For Nathan it was his second win in this series, and he was also the top Under 20 athlete. He shared the lead for most of the race with team- mate Steve Kimber, the new Oxfordshire champion, before pulling away in the final lap of the 5 mile course. Kimber held on to finish in second place. Next home were three more of the strong WSEH Under 20’s squad – Ian May finishing 15th, Tim Haughian 23rd and Vince Bangs 45th. Sam Gardner made a rare appearance over the country to finish 46th and Gary Taylor, on the comeback trail, was 54th. Veterans Dave Huck ( 76th) , Bob Fuller ( 94th) and Mick Hill (104th) completed the WSEH team.

Other WSEH runners:

128th Paul Ashby (Vet), 146th Sean Franks,

Team Result: 1. Harrow AC 1641pts, 2. WSEH 1390pts, 3. Headington Runners 547pts

Senior Ladies Race

WSEH were without several of their regulars and it was left to veteran Mary Edwards to lead the WSEH challenge. She had a good run for her 13th place. Leigh James was the next to cross the line in 27th place, followed by Pippa Callingham in 40th place. Another veteran Ruth Lingley made up the WSEH team in 46th place with yet another WSE vet, Pauline Siddons in 53rd spot.

Team result: 1. Milton Keynes AC 215pts, 2. Headington Runners 196pts, 3. Vale of Aylesbury AC 190pts, 7th WSEH 116pts

Under 17 Mens Race

Joshua Radvan led the WSEH charge in this race, achieving his best placing this year with 4th spot. Next home was Nick Lingley in 17th place, with Cameron Smart(25th) and Chris Reilly(27th) completing the team.

Other WSEH runners:

28th Callum Calvert, 29th Jack Philp, 30th Luke Porter, 31st John Newton

Under 20/Under 17 Ladies Race

Despite several key absentees, WSEH scored well enough in this race to take 2nd in the team event. Louise Lingley led the way with her excellent 3rd place, with Andrea Fox in 6th and Faith –Louise Smith in 8th place.

Team result: 1. Harrow AC 44pts, 2. WSEH 40pts, 3. Bedford & County AC 35pts

Under 15 Boys Race

For the first time this winter WSEH managed to field a full team in this age group. Lewis Sloan, on his favourite course, had his best run in the series to date to place 3rd. James Bennington was 8th and Jonathon Kirk(31st) and Curtis Blanchard(33rd) closed the team.

Other WSEH runners: 34th Kingsley Swan 35th Max Edgar 36th

Team result: 1. Bedford & County AC 104pts, 2. Luton AC 75pts, 3. Harrow AC 69pts 4. WSH 68pts

Under 15 Girls Race

The WSEH duo of Lauren Wye and Bex Myers were always in contention in this race, with Wye eventually taking 3rd spot, with Myers hot on her heels in 4th. There was a gap before Maryse Haynes appeared in 18th place with Naomi Barbour completing the team in 22nd place.

Other WSEH runners:

24th Alyssa Spitzer, 26th Verity Kyley, 29th Hanna Radvan, 38th Katie Trevatt, 41st Kerry Gorman

Team Result: 1. Bedford & County 140pts, 2. Oxford City 131pts, 3. WSEH 125pts

Under 13 Boys Race

There were one or two surprises in this race. Kieran Wye again proved the best of the WSEH squad with his 7th place, but Sam Jago found new form to be next placed in 10th, his best run over the country to date. On his heels was Ricky Harvie in 10th and David DeVillers, still with holiday in his legs, was 24th.

Other WSEH runners:

27th Michael Lane, 29th James Porter, 37th Kas.Baumgart, 47th Euan Jackson, 48th Rhys Bunker

Team Result: 1.Bedford & County 163pts, 2. WSEH 148pts, 3. Chiltern Harriers 148pts.

Under 13 Girls Race

Emma croft was the fist WSEH athlete home, in 10th place. There cwas a gap before Chloe Allen appeared in 20th place, just edging Christina Hall in 21st. Rosie Adams closed the team with her 38th place.

Other WSEH runners:

45th Tiffany Jones, 47th Kirsty Butler, 49th Chantal Jones, 52nd Katie Calvert,

Team Result: 1. Oxford City 229pts, 2. Bedford & County 211pts, 3. Luton AC 175pts, 5th WSEH 155pts

Under 11 Boys Race

Several athletes made their WSEH debut in this race. Best of the bunch proved to be Charlie Smee in 14th place. He was closely followed by Ed Gumpert in 18th place with Gordon Jago in 29th. James Haddrell (32nd) and Ross Gunn(35th) both enjoyed their first ouiting in WSEH colours.

Team Result: 1. Chiltern Harriers 141pts, 2. Dacorum & Tring AC 111pts, 3. Bedford & County AC 93pts, 4, WSEH 89pts.

Under 11 Girls Race

The talented Beccy Croft posted her intent early on in the race and was never headed thereafter to score a comfortable victory. .Bryony Wilson also had a good run for her 5th place. Maddi Ellis(27th) and Alex Barbour(54th) completed the team, with Hope White in 55th spot.

Team Result: 1. Chiltern Harriers 146pts, 2. WSEH 135pts, 3. St Albans City 116pts

Overall Division 1 Match Result:

1.WSEH 2097pts, 2. Harrow 2039pts, 3. M.Keynes 1997pts, 4.Chiltern Harriers 1722pts, 5. Oxford City AC 1671pts, 6.Headington Runners 1528pts, 7. Bracknell AC 1500pts, 8.Aylesbury AC 1483pts, 9.Bedford & County AC 1380pts, 10. Luton AC 1289pts, 11. Silson Joggers 1221pts, 12. Watford Harriers 1056pts, 13 Handy Cross Runners 904 pts 14. Dacorum & Tring AC 533pts

Full results