Harriers Dominate Derby Runner XC
Sunday was another glorious day for the Hermitage Harriers, as they rounded off the Derby Runner XC season with a near complete domination of the awards in the relay event at Huncote, securing Senior Mens, Vet Mens and the mixed team prizes.
It was Jason Lavine who ran 1st leg of the race and he was leading through the first field, before heading out into the country until Chris Jordan of Hinckley ran well through a muddy selection of fields, bogs and even a brook and re-entered the field in front, followed 30 seconds later by Jason who had run a brilliant leg, despite a lack of training due to illness. Jason handed over to mens captain John Terry, who chased down the opposition and took the lead about 1km out, by the time he had come back into the field he had established about a 40 second lead.
Next up for the Harriers was Shaun Coulton who shot off from the start line, he cruised over the field at the back of the leisure centre and although he found it tough going in the back section, the teams 40 second advantage was maintained as he handed over last man Ally Watson.
Ally who has been in fine form polished off the course in the days fastest time of 12 mins 45 seconds, a phenomenal effort on this difficult course. The Harriers won the men's event by several minutes from Hatton Darts.
The mixed team was just as successful with Gemma Steel running an excellent first leg, finishing about 20 seconds behind Jason and handing over to Claire Wilson, who closed down about a minute on the 2nd Hinckley lad, to hand over to husband Darren in 2nd place overall. Darren easily maintained this position and handed over to Lee Tomlinson, who ran an excellent leg in 14.12, to anchor the side to the mixed team prize and 2nd overall in the race!
It was a similar story in the veteran mens category, as the team of Mark Bradford, Martin Prime, Nigel Stock and Andy Buck dominated from start to finish. Martin in his first XC race, has vowed to retire at this stage, thus going out on a high.
Such is the interest in cross country at the club that a fourth team was out as well, consisting of the Jakubecz brothers Jon and Matt, Emma-Louise Scott and Adam Clarke, all of whom ran well to finish well up the field too!
Afterwards the teams collected their prizes and the club were presented with their trophies for the Combined Team and Men's Team awards.