The University of Sheffield sent a strong team down to Cardiff to compete in the annual Cross Country Championships as wintry conditions swept across the country.
The three races that they competed in were highly competitive, with two athletes in the top 30 of their events and also some positive team placings.
A flurry of snow on the morning of the race added a further challenge to the athletes on a course which was frozen in most areas. The men’s long race was the first event and the Sheffield team placed eighth out of 53, which was a fantastic achievement after a quick change in spike size two hours earlier. Ralph Street was the highest placed athlete from Sheffield over the flat and fast 10k course, finishing in 22nd in a competitive field. He was closely followed by Rob Little and Steve Bayton who came in the top 60. John Rocke, Will Buswell and Graham Gagg added to the team points as they were cheered in by the vociferous travelling supporters. Jonny Hay from the University of Birmingham won the event, with Jonny Brownlee, the Great Britain triathlete from the University of Leeds, in fifth.
The ladies race did not disappoint either as the Sheffield team achieved 14th overall in the country. Poppy Blake, who has competed for both Great Britain and England recently, finished in 22nd place, within a field which contained a variety of age groups which increased the standard of the event. Rachael Lundgren was the second Sheffield athlete to finish in the top 100, with Rosie Keane, Ellen Buckley, Jenny Brignall and Jenn Dick respectively adding to the teams score as the weather conditions deteriorated. Unfortunately, Natasha Dawson had to pull out due to a twisted ankle. Hannah Walker from the University of Birmingham stormed to take the title.
The men’s B race was the last event of the programme with eight athletes from the University of Sheffield taking part. Rob Gardner and Elliot Tate finished in the top 150, with Gareth Burrell, Ben Snowball, Jonny Miesner, Sam Wardle, Antoine Gatt and Andrew Cowan running well over a very fast race, which was by no means second rate. The team finished 13th overall and made it three out of three as the University of Sheffield beat the Sheffield Hallam team in all three events.
It was a great weekend for the Sheffield Athletics and Cross Country club who hope to build on this success for the rest of the season.
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