National - Cross Country Championships - Sunderland on 10/03/2007 12 Km (Senior Men)
The 2007 Championships took place at Herrington Country Park on the outskirts of Sunderland. A team of 8 senior men and one under 15 made the long trip on Friday night, and after checking in to their hotel the group headed out for a well earned meal. Despite the valiant attempts by club captain Dave Walton to keep the athletes away from the bar, a few of them did succumb.
After a good night's sleep Anne & Bob Brimage set off for their officiating duties closely followed by Connor & his family as Connor's race was first of the day at 11.05. The strong winds had dried the park out and with overcast skies Connor's race, over 4K got under way. Connor started well and ran strongly throughout the race to finish a creditable 150th. It was great to see the seniors make their way to the park to join Connor's family to give him plenty of vocal support.
The wind that proved troublesome in the early races was now getting even stronger approaching gale force just before the seniors started. The pre race favourite, Frank Tickner from Wells City lived up to his billing & ran out a comfortable winner beating Huw Lobb (Bedford) by 40 seconds. Northern runner-up Gareth Raven (Sale) was just 4 seconds adrift in 3rd place.
Wallasey's men again did us proud with Joe Johnson & Pat Riley, in his first National, having particularly good runs and they were well backed up by the rest of the team. Special mention should be made of Derek McArdle who competed in his first cross country for the Club. The men's team achieved our highest placing for many years by finishing 60th from the 71 teams that finished with a full team.
Other counters were Greg Jones, Dave Walton, Matt Williams and Stan Williams. Pete McArdle was Wallasey's other
Thanks to Connor & his family for staying late into the afternoon to support the seniors throughout their race. It seems that wherever we compete Wallasey provide the best support for their athletes.