Saucony Southern Cross-Country Championships - 28th Jan 2006
By Mark Le Gassick
An imposing red brick mansion on a hilltop set against a cloudless, cobalt blue, mid-winter sky, overlooking a sparkling, sun kissed lake. Sounds idyllic, doesn't it?
However, add an icy wind with a chill factor cold enough to cut a sumo wrestler in a puffa jacket straight to the core and throw in an undulating, energy sapping, four-lap 15-kilometre cross-country course and it's almost enough to make any self-respecting runner think twice.
This was the prospect that greeted the fifteen race hardy (or should that be fool hardy?) runners from Stubbington who made the long journey west to Devon to take part in the 2006 Saucony Southern Cross-Country Championships at Bicton College, near Exmouth.
Vernon Victory
An early start and a clear run ensured that the team arrived in plenty of time to watch another imperious performance by our very own Andy Vernon. Andy strode around the undulating 8-kilometre course in a speedy 25-minutes 50-seconds to retain the junior mens' title that he won a year ago at Parliament Hill by 27-seconds, and, in the process, leading Aldershot, Farnham & District to victory in the team event.
Next week sees the Stubbington-flyer head north to Scotland to compete in a university team match before next month returning to Parliament Hill in a bid to win the National Cross-Country title.
Success for Hampshire
After a number of last-minute withdrawals, Stubbington's lone lady representative was Rachel Openshaw. At just 19-years old, Rachel is young enough to compete in the junior category, but decided to opt for the 8-kilometre senior ladies race, where she clocked a time of 42-minutes 37-seconds, finishing in a creditable 187th place out of a field of 237 runners.
The 2006 Stubbington 10k ladies winner, Lucy Elliot, was on form once again, winning the senior ladies title in impressive style, finishing exactly a minute clear of her nearest rival. With a time of 28-minutes 42-seconds, Elliot led Winchester & District A.C. to victory by a narrow one-point margin from Shaftsbury Barnet Harriers who finished second.
Feet of Endurance
As the senior men made their final race preparations, the announcer proudly informed the field that the Southerns is the last remaining 15-kilometre cross-country race in the country to which there were a number of suggestions as to the future of the race.
The gun sounded and 550-plus adrenalin-fuelled athletes charged up the hill and into the first corner, before the field rapidly started to stretch out as the runners headed out on to the four-lap course.
Dave Mitchinson made the most of the firm and dry conditions underfoot, pulling away in the early stages. However, Mitchinson's lead was short lived and he was soon caught by the chasing group. After a tactical battle, the Newham & Essex Beagles A.C. athlete managed to hold off Beford and County A.C 's Will Levett, winning by a slender 5-second margin in a time of 49-minutes 19-seconds.
For Stubbington, Mark Le Gassick led the mens' team home with a strong performance finishing in 29th place in a time of 52-minutes 19-seconds. Tor Duffin was also among the first 100 runners home, in 94th place, clocking 56-minutes 14-seconds.
Ray Gunner continued his impressive form on the country finishing in 201st place in 1.00.24, with Alisdair Ewing returning from a long layoff, due to injury, not far behind in 218th with a time of 1.01.15.
Mike Harper continued his rapid progress with another good performance finishing a few places behind Alisdair in 221st position in 1.01.25. Andy Simpson placed 265th , clocking 1.03.19 to give the six-man team 19th position out of 41 teams.
Chris Vernon (1.06.28, 332nd), Graham Bell (1.08.48, 387th), Mike Bell (1.12.36, 453rd), Colin Elderfield (1.13.04, 460th), Chris Munro (1.13.28, 466th) and Nick Crane (1.14.37, 481st) completed the 12-man line-up to give the club 10th place overall out of 14 complete teams and retain the Hampshire Cup, ahead of Aldershot, Farnham & District.
Eric Beck finished in a time of 1.15.27 (486th ) and Steve Wylie clocked 1.17.14 (508th ).
As always, the Southern Cross-Country Championships was an enjoyable day that culminated with a well-deserved pub stop on the return journey. Drivers Mike Harper and Ray Gunner did an excellent job and the vocal support of Mike Clarke, Ryan Gunner and Rachel Openshaw, during the race, was greatly appreciated by everyone.