3 February 2017

Yesterday the Abingdon cross-country club travelled to Radley to compete in the Vale Championships. On a blustery and very muddy course the Abingdon boys ran superbly to claim the Vale Trophy with a clean sweep of victories in the U13, U15, U17 and U19 races.

The U13 athletes raced over a 3.1km course with Geordie Anderson setting a punishing pace at the start of the race. Although taking a number of tumbles on the muddy course the Abingdon pupils rallied and finished with all seven athletes finishing in the top 20 runners. 

The U15 athletes raced over a 4.4km course which featured a wicked head wind towards the finish line. Special mention must go to Josh Broadbent (8th) and Johnny Willis-Bund (24th) who were representing the U15s a year young. 

The U17 athletes raced over 5.3km with all five Abingdon athletes in the lead pack as they rounded the lake and started up the slippery muddy climb. Henry Insley (1st) led from the front with Alex Pennington (2nd) in hot pursuit. Nobody could keep with Henry's pace as he finished with a commanding lead. 

The U19 title was fiercely contested between Ivo Brown (1st) and Calum Steer (2nd) who entered the finishing straight neck and neck. The determination and will to win was etched on both of their faces, and a dip on the line was all that separated them at the finish. Special mention must go to all five runners who finished in the top six.

A great day out for Abingdon Cross-country club and a good warm up for the County Championships next week. 

Notable individual performances;

U13 – Jonathan Pannett-Smith (3rd)
U15 – Freddie Cunningham (2nd)
U17 – Henry Insley (1st) , Alex Pennington (2nd)
U19 – Ivo Brown (1st), Calum Steer (2nd) , Josh Crichton (3rd). 
 

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