Today's Runner
JUST CHAMPION! That’s Stubbington Green’s cross country teams who have captured the Today’s Runner crown.
After an eventful six-race season, the campaign came down to the final event at Staunton Country Park in Havant, with the Greens having to go one better than nearest rivals Farnham Runners, who we held a one-point advantage over going into the showdown.
And what a Sunday it was with some fantastic running at the front end, and some strong packing in midfield which ensured a superb Stubbington showing. Conditions were sunny and not too windy, but the course was as muddy as ever.
In the men’s race, the wee Scot Gordon Reid who, through a combination of work and injury, has enjoyed a quiet year, stormed back to lead the fellas home in eighth place, with Alasdair Ewing and Richard Thomas tucking in behind in 14th.
The blokes’ tremendous effort was helped by a number of Pompey-supporting Stubbies missing the event while in Lanzarote celebrating the Blues’ famous FA Cup quarter-final win at Manchester United.
Mike Bainbridge in 20th and 36th-placed Tim Sullivan completed the men’s scoring on a fantastic day for the club.
The women have been strong all season, and it was left to talented teenager Georgie Gair to lead home her mentor Penny Forse; Georgie placed second and Penny was seventh.
Bev Lavery and Lucy Simmonds were tucked in just behind their team-mates in ninth and tenth places, with Susie MacGregor (13th), Louise James (19th) and Lucy May (21st), powering Stubbington into pole position in the ladies’ rankings and helping the club to overall victory.
Ladies captain, Chris Haskell, said: “A great turnout and a brilliant finish to an excellent Today’s Runner season. Well done to everyone.”
Results:
Men: 8th Gordon Reid, 11th Alasdair Ewing, 14th Richard Thomas, 20th Mike Bainbridge, 36th Tim Sullivan, 43rd Jon Leigh, 57th Mike Bell, 60th Nick Kimber, 67th Phil May, 68th Paul Hammond, 73rd Tim Crumpton, 84th Aaron Kingston, 94th Nick Crane, 97th Andy Lee, 108th Paul Hailwood, 113th John Vose, 116th Derek Balsdon, 117th John Simister, 124th Andy Tomlinson, 127th John Randall. Malcolm Lavery did not finish due to hamstring injury.
Women: 2nd Georgie Gair, 7th Penny Forse, 9th Bev Lavery, 10th Lucy Simmonds, 13th Susie MacGregor, 19th Louise James, 21st Lucy May.
Over the season Stubbington won five out of the six races, with 41 men and 13 ladies representing the club. Jon Leigh, Nick Crane, John Vose, Paul Hailwood, Andy Tomlinson and Penny Forse ran in all six races.
Watch this Web Site for details of the National event where Stubbington will be representing Hampshire!