Majestic Travel Cross Country League.

Round 3; Bangor, 25/11/2006.

Abergele Harriers’ father and son, Sean and Steven McCormack, justified their selection for North Wales for the upcoming Inter-Regional Championships in Swansea with a fantastic display of team running by finishing 19th and 20th, just one second apart, in the third round of the Majestic Travel North Wales Cross-Country League in Bangor, both achieving their highest ever league positions in the process, with times of 33mins 28secs and 33mins 29secs respectively. An even greater battle ensued about two minutes further back, with six Harriers finishing in thirteen positions. First of these, third Harrier overall, was Dewi Roberts running his first ever cross-country race, finishing in a superb 35th position overall, just five positions ahead of twin brother Gareth, also making his debut in the discipline, who finished in 35mins 37secs, for 40th. Just behind the twins came four Harriers within five positions of each other, lead home by Richie Lee, in his first cross-country race of the season, in 44th position. Lee was only seconds ahead of Justin McIlveen in 44th, Tim Cahill 47th and Matthew Ashton 48th, his best ever league position. Unfortunately Ed Reid was unable to finish the race when his shoe succumbed to the very muddy conditions, while Grahame Shone, not long recovered from injury, showed he is well on the way back to form finishing in 84th overall. Rob Spotswood ran an excellent 43mins 43secs for 124th position, with Dave Edwards not far behind in 131st. Stevie Ward, just one week after completing the Jersey Half Marathon in an excellent time of  1hr 59mins 3secs, completed a record team performance in 53mins 40secs for 138th overall. The men’s score of 203 points, beats the previous best ever by the club by 48 points, and was one of the best scores by any club on the day.

Unfortunately the ladies team was weakened by injuries and work commitments, and only two ladies were available to run, but both did the club proud by outstanding performances in the very difficult positions. Over their two lap course Alison Guillemin was first home in 66th position; with cross-country ever present this season, Susan Calvert, just a matter of seconds behind in 67th. Thanks also to the several other Harriers who turned up to support, including club-chairman Alan Lucas, vice-chairman Stevie McCarten and ever-reliable duo Sara McIlveen and Borders League Ladies Captain Jaime Ashton, all helping to make the day one to remember for the club. 

Ladies positions;

 

Name

Position

Time

Alison Guillemin

66

23:33

Susan Calvert

67

23:40

Ladies Team Total

233

 

 

 

Men's Positions;

 

Name

Position

Time

Sean McCormack

19

33:29

Steven McCormack

20

33:29

Dewi Roberts

35

35:21

Gareth Roberts

40

35:36

Richie Lee

44

35:56

Justin McIlveen

45

36:03

Tim Cahill

47

36:12

Matthew Ashton

48

36:14

Grahame Shone

84

39:03

Robert Spotswood

124

43:46

Dave Edwards

131

45:44

Stevie Ward

138

53:44

Ed Reid

DNF

 

Total

203