Autumn Cross-Country Report
By Paul Martin – Coach
2016 Derby AC Road/Cross Country-Junior update
Derby AC has had a great start to the Road/Cross Country season with fantastic Team/individual performances locally, regionally and nationally. Most encouragingly for the club is the big increase in juniors at all ages now wanting to represent the club at various races. This has enabled us to challenge a lot of the big established clubs and in some cases beat them.
The first competition of the winter season saw Derby AC competing at the Northern Road Relay Championship in Manchester, racing around the impressive Manchester City’s football stadium. With impressive results from the u13 boys (Sonny Jamieson, Jack Davis, Ernie Cresswell) finishing in a very respectable 5th. The u15 boys (Jake Martin, Thomas Wright, Jude Bush) responded just as impressively just missing out on the medals with a 4th place. Supporting the teams there were some notable individual performances with Jasmine Cooper, Molly Hudson, Jake Martin, Ethan Barr and Sonny Jamieson all finishing inside the top ten fastest times within their respective age groups.
The National Road Relay Championships at Sutton Park again witnesses our biggest junior attendance for this event for many years. The u13 boys (Sonny Jamieson, Jack Davis, Ernie Cresswell) and the u15 boys (Thomas Wright, Jake Martin, Ethan Barr) teams continued their good form finishing 7th and 6th respectively beating many top established clubs racing.
The Northern Cross Country Relays at Sheffield with Derby AC representation at every age group saw once again evidence that our u13 and u15 boys are competing with the best teams with the u13 boys (Sonny Jamieson, Ernie Cresswell, Jack Davis) finishing 6th and the u15 boys (Jake Martin, Ethan Barr, Jude Bush) medalling claiming 3rd spot and in the same race Thomas Wright (B team) got the 6th fastest leg.
The National Cross Country Relay Championships held at its usual venue of Berry Hill. Mansfield, had an impressive turnout from Derby AC, particularly with the boys having three teams in both u13s and u15s. Competition as usual was tough and the standard ,with some of the best junior athlete from across England racing, was high. Our athletes were not put off by this and produced some solid team/individual performances just missing out on a top ten position in the Junior Men, u13 boys and u15 boys. The u15 girls had an impressive start coming in 2nd on the first leg through Molly Hudson (who was the 3rd fastest u15 girl overall), Alice Crane came in 3rd on the second leg, and the brave Jasmit Garcha ran her socks off to keep them in the top twenty. The u15 boys continued their impressive form see this autumn with fantastic runs from Kake Martin 7th and Thomas Wright 13th overall fastest.
At North Midlands Cross Country meeting at Markeaton Park, I was very proud to see over 40 Juniors race at our home fixture, with some top performances all round. So good that we are currently holding 1st or 2nd spot league positions in most age groups, which included a host of top ten finishers. (See the notice board) including impressive 2nd spots for Jack Davis u13 boys and 2nd for Jake Martin u15 boys.
Mini Derbyshire Cross Country although a relatively low key event we are taking this very seriuosly eveidenced with a solid start with a couple of 1st and 2nd team positions. (See the notice board) and overall the club is currently holding the lead, this includes impressive wins for Valentina Costa u13 girls and Alice Crane u15 girls, 2nd spots for James Rouse u11 boys,Patrick Walsh u13 boys and Thomas Wright u15 boys, and a 3rd spot for Corey Rose u13 boys.