Stubbington Green Runners

LIKE Farley Mount, the Goodwood fixture of the Hampshire Cross-Country League is a tough challenge, both in terms of the undulating multi-lap course, and the high standard of competition.

Fortunately, as is often the case at the West Sussex course that sits next door to the well-known horseracing venue, a crisp autumnal day, with good-to-firm ground underfoot, provided runners with favourable running conditions.

In the men’s race, another classy performance by Stubbington second-claimer, Andy Vernon, saw the Aldershot Farnham & District athlete make it two out of two with a narrow 12 second victory ahead of team mate Ben Moreau. Winchester & District AC’s Chris Powner finished in 3rd place.

For Stubbington, following a two-month lay-off due to injury, a strong run by Mark Le Gassick resulted in a top 20 finish, with 16th place. After a 32nd place finish at the first fixture, at Farley Mount, in October, Zippy Grice put in another solid performance for the greens, this time finishing inside the top 30, in 26th place.

In a very strong men’s field, another promising Hampshire league performance by Andy Simpson, saw the former XC Captain cross the line in 63rd place. Meanwhile, super vet, Ray Gunner, improved on his position at Farley, with a 76th place finish, and Tim Crumpton made up the five-to-score team, finishing in 134th place.

The senior men placed second on the day at Goodwood, behind Reading Roadrunners and, overall, they currently sit in second place in division 2, behind Reading. Unfortunately, following their superb performance in the league last year, the veteran men are currently lying in last place (10th) in division 1.

In the ladies race, Aldershot Farnham & District’s talented young Charlotte Purdue was a clear winner. Purdue crossed the line almost 30 seconds clear of team mate, Vicky Gill, with Bournemouth’s Susie Hignet finishing in 3rd place.

Stubbington’s Susie MacGregor continued where she left off in the summer with a solid performance in a strong ladies field, finishing inside the top 50, in 45th place. The evergreen Penny Forse was hot on Susie’s heels crossing the line just 10 seconds behind her team mate.

Lucy May was 82nd, making up the three-to-score team who finished in 14th place on the day. Overall, after two fixtures, the senior ladies are 14th overall (out of 16 teams) with the veteran ladies fairing better in 6th place overall (out of 16).

Fixture three of the Hampshire Cross-Country League is on Saturday 1st December, at Ashe Meadows, Overton. If you are able to run, please contact XC Captain, Tim Crumpton on 01489 576022, or at timothy.crumpton@ntl world.com.

Stubbington’s results:

Men

16 Mark Le Gassick
26 Zippy Grice
63 Andy Simpson
76 Ray Gunner
134 Tim Crumpton
190 S Martin
191 Gordon Westely
197 Phil May
219 John Tussler
243 finishers

Ladies

45 Susie MacGregor
46 Penny Forse
82 Lucy May
83 Margie Pritchard
106 Heather Bowers
122 finishers