The last race in the Cross Country season and open to all club members, although it is ran on the paths in South Park, so not a cross country really! Men’s teams were made up of four runners and the women’s had three. Each runner completed 2 laps of the course (equivalent to 2 miles) before handing over to the member of the team. The course is flat and the shorter distance a little lung busting compared to the usual longer routes of 10K for cross country events.

TAC managed to get a women’s team and a men’s team together for the first time this season, which was great. Weather conditions were good for running with no wind and temperatures of 5 or 6 Degrees although those cheering teams on needed layers on! The ladies raced first with Joanne Wall taking the first leg (21.14), Gail Foster following (19.34) and Erica Dixon completing the third leg (16.27), putting the team in 12th position overall.

Josh Mawer led the mens’ race (11.49), followed by Nigel Mawer (13.12), who handed over to Rhys Foster (14.03) with Stuart Jones (14.08) bringing in the final laps, putting the men’s team in 12th position overall out of the 15 entered.

Gail Foster, Erica Dixon, Rhys Foster and Mark Russell travelled to Whitby Sixth Form College for the penultimate cross-country race of the season, with just the relays at the end of the month left to go.

The team arrived in good time and quickly realised the light breeze coming in off the coast would make standing around a chilly affair, however, it was dry and the ground appeared soft so all four were eager to get going to keep warm.

After the juniors race, Gail & Erica made their way to the start for the ladies laps, both keeping a good steady pace and powering up the embankment by the viaduct. The boys moved around the course taking photo’s and cheering them on; Erica finished in 34:03 followed by Gail in 41:48, both finding the course in fine fettle apart from a short section along the railway line.

By the time it was the boys turn, they had already seen the climb up the embankment and realised it would have to tackled three times, so they set off at a steady pace, intending push on the last lap. Both took advantage of running up the climb, gaining position over those walking and Mark came through in 47:33 with Rhys hot on his heels in 47:38.

A great, challenging course with some superb views as you go around.