Medals galore for the GCR masters as they conquer the county cross-country champs
The massed start at the Herts County Vets Cross-country Championship. - Credit: Archant
A medal-filled trip to the Herts County Vets Cross-country Championship was the highlight of a busy week for Garden City Runners.
Garden City Runners' Russell Casey at the Herts County Vets Cross-country Championship. - Credit: Archant
And top of the tree at the event at Trent Park in Cockfosters was Neil Hume who took the individual gold medal.
His team-mates behind him didn’t do too badly either as they brought home the silver medal in the MV40 team competition.
That was despite the late starting Russell Casey who didn’t make it to the start line until 11 minutes after the gun had fired.
But he still made up enough ground to add to Markus Allen’s eighth and a 16th spot for GCRs’ newest vet, Rob Dilley, who made the age category by just six weeks.
Garden City Runners' Steve Button, Steve Williams and Dave Edwards at the Herts County Vets Cross-country Championship. - Credit: Archant
You may also want to watch:
And fortunately for Casey even if he had started on time, his run still wouldn’t have taken the gold away from a strong Watford four.
There was also a bronze for GCR in the MV60 team race thanks to the performances of Steve Button, Steve Williams and Dave Edwards.
Most Read
- 1 More than 20 arrested following major Welwyn Hatfield county lines drugs operation
- 2 Man sentenced to three years in prison for breaking girlfriend's jaw
- 3 Closing the New QEII at night permanently still to be considered
- 4 Bank becomes latest to be lost from town centre
- 5 'Horrific' abuser who 'showed no remorse' sentenced
- 6 Mum-of-four loses six stone in just over a year after being unable to play with her youngest child
- 7 Coroner rules Joy Morgan death 'unlawful killing' but finds no cause at inquest
- 8 Apply for planning permission or move skips and machinery, company told
- 9 Former Spitfire and Hurricane engineer celebrates 100th birthday
- 10 COVID-19 deaths across Hertfordshire hit new milestone
And Richard Bloom continued the success with a brilliant gold in the MV70 group.
Team captain Sean Bowen said: “Watching Steve, Dave and Steve and the others slogging in to finish and win their county medals was immensely satisfying.
Garden City Runners' Dave Heal with his medal from the Abbott World Marathon Major in Tokyo. - Credit: Archant
“It was tough out there and just to get round at their age is a massive achievement.
“They did the club proud.”
Elsewhere there was plenty of half, full and ultra marathon action.
Adam Wadley managed a PB at the Cambridge Half Marathon as he prepares for the Manchester Marathon in five weeks’ time and Sally Laflin also went quicker than before.
Garden City Runners' Kath Evans and Elaine Giles who ran the St Peter's Way Ultra. - Credit: Archant
Dave Heal completed the Abbott World Marathon Major at Tokyo, his sixth and final run in the series, while Stuart Whitford completed the 2019 Belvoir Challenge, aimed at runners and walkers covering a choice of 15 or 26 miles around the Vale of Belvoir.
Nick Genever completed the Steyning Stinger Marathon, a trail race on the South Downs known for its tough climbs and mud.
Kath Evans and Elaine Giles were the ultra-runner stars of GCR though as they finished the St Peter’s Way Ultra, a 43-mile route from Chipping Ongar to St Peter’s chapel on the Essex coast, arriving well inside the 13-hour cut-off.
