Success at Bradgate XC

Hermitage Harriers continued their winning streak at the latest fixture in the cross country league, scooping first place for both the women’s team and the combined team. In addition, the men delivered another fantastic performance, securing second place. The results mean that the Harriers stay in the top spots in division one for both the men’s and combined teams.

Mia Weston made it four firsts in a row, romping home in 25th place, followed soon after by the rapidly improving Katie Smith in 30th place. Zoe Sewter zoomed over the finish line in 38th position and Louise Mason completed the team with her 52nd place finish.

For the men, Jason Williams started out strong and maintained good form throughout the race, finishing as the first Harrier home in 6th place overall. He was joined by James Willoughby in 26th place and Ryan Tweed in 28th to fill the top three spots for Hermitage Harriers. Completion of the team came from Darren Weston (35th), Paul Gregory (39th), Craig Hinds (41st), Shaun Coulton (46th) and Dan Booth (60th) giving the team a total of 221 points.

Further notable performances came from the club’s youngest runner in the race, 18 year old Ellie Cooper, who finished in a very respectable 104th place, cross country first-timer Peter Dargue who tackled the challenging course with gusto and John Pape who completed his fourth cross country of the season in the veteran 70 category.

Bradgate Park was a new addition to the cross country calendar for the 2014/15 season and offered runners some challenging climbs and descents. The 5.4 mile course was tackled by 29 Harriers: 22 men and 7 ladies. Following the fixture, men’s captain Darren Weston said "I am over the moon with the club’s performance at today’s fixture. Following our success so far this season I have placed the celebratory champagne on ice! It is a long season though, and we take every race as it comes".

Hermitage Harriers have delivered fantastic performances in all four of the cross country fixtures so far this season. The club will be looking to maintain this success but will also be turning their focus towards the forthcoming Leicestershire Road Running League races which begin this coming Sunday with Barrow 6.