County Cross Country Championships

6th January 2008

"THE MAGNIFICENT 7"

On an absolutely glorious January day in the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital School at Holbrook, seven brave Panthers took on the elite cross-country runners of the county. The various age groups contested several distances over the lush parkland course. They ran alongside the river and then climbed through the trees to follow the ridge beneath the inspiring buildings of the school. From here the athletes had a breathtaking view of the river and the relief of seeing the final stretch to the finish was downhill.

Emma was first away in the Under 13 girls and ran beautifully over her 3000 metre course. There was some fine opposition but Emma wasn't overawed and finished strongly.

Next off were Kieron and Daniel A in the Under 15 Boys race. They had to negotiate 4000 metres and had a very strong field of athletes against them. Both ran well with Kieron just edging ahead of Daniel on the final straight.

In the Senior Men's race, Shaun had drawn our shortest straw. In the largest field of the day, Shaun had to battle over three laps of the 4000 metre course. Battle he did, though, and never once looked like he wouldn't make it. He drew possibly the biggest cheer of the day when he sprinted over the line.

Finally Lee, Ryan and Michael took on the might of the Under 17 men in Suffolk. Often this has been the County's strongest age group and the elite proved once more to be just that. Our three men had to run for two of the 3000 metre laps and all finished well and will have gained much, both in experience and in building strength for the future. Lee confirmed the good form he has consistently shown throughout the winter and was the first Panther to finish. Ryan had a tough period around half way but courageously ran through it to be the second Panther home. Michael, more comfortable over 400 metres than 6000 metres, found the going very hard but showed his true colours with a classic sprint finish.

For those of us who were there to witness the day's events, it was humbling and gratifying to see just how strong and how brave are our Panthers and we should be and indeed are very proud of all of them.

Good races were also run by Panther Coaches; Senior Men, Danny and Bill  with Tracey and Jenny in the Senior Women's race.

PANTHERS AND THEIR COACHES RESULTS