2024-25 brings on a new season of cross country and a new league for us. Starting on the 3rd November we had a full team running in Framlingham. We were spoilt with perfect conditions and a stunning location with the castle being the backdrop. The route took us along field edges, along footpaths and up and down the very steep moat! Aden Bell made easy work of it coming in 14th overall.
Our second fixture on 1 December 2024 took us to Sutton Heath near Woodbridge. It was a bleak, drizzly day, but mild for the time of year. It was quite a treat to run on sandy tracks and paths instead of mud, but there were massive puddles to contend with while pigs watched us along the way. Aden Bell finished overall in 18th place. Close behind him came Stuart Price. Samatha Theobald was 18th female to cross the finish line. Completing the team Steve Cox, Paul Lacy, Steve Hunt, Elaine Turner, Ryan McNeill, Neil Holloway, Nathalie Hooper, Stuart Hunt, Fiona Holland, Rachel Bodsworth, Joanne Sargent and Geraldine Suckling. A fabulous turn out for the day.
2025 kicked off with the Cross Country Championships held at Horseheath Racecourse, near Haverhill. It was questionable as to whether it would go ahead with the threat of snow overnight. As it turned out the snow was sparse, but getting to the venue proved more challenging with floods along the country lanes. The course proved to be very tough with lots of mud and challenging hills, but fortunately runners didn’t have to get wet feet going through the splash!
We had a small, but strong team of Hares attending. Aden Bell and Ryan McNeill ran the longer men’s course of 10km and Fiona Holland, Vicky Tapp, Ellie Langridge Brown and Nathalie Hooper ran 8km. Aden made it look easy and finished 16th with a fabulous time of 35:25. Vicky stormed round the course with a great time of 36:39 with Ellie not far behind. At the end of the day Hares came away with two trophies. Congratulations to Fiona who came 2nd in the V65 age group and Nathalie who finished 1st in the V55 age group.
Sunday 12th January and a nice local venue for the cross country. Stowmarket Striders hosted the third fixture at Haughley Park. A beautiful setting taking us through the woods with a technical hilly section along the route. The below zero temperatures added to the beauty with the woods resembling Narnia. This meant that the mud had frozen solid and careful footing was essential. This didn’t seem to deter Aden and Stuart Price who made easy work of the course with Aden finishing in 19th place. Well done to the rest of the team, Paul Lacey, Neil Holloway, Elaine Turner, Crystal Murray, Nikki Vince, Nathalie Hooper, Jo Sargent, Sarah Watkins, Kay Oxford and Fiona Holland who enjoyed the well deserved tea and cakes afterwards.
The 19th January took us to Horseheath point-to-point racecourse (again for some of us). This varied course took us through woodland, up and down hills, along tracks, over jumps (albeit small ones) and into the splash. For every runner that ran into the freezing cold water, a massive cheer was heard from supporters. It was no mean feat trying to run up a hill afterwards with freezing cold feet and it had to be done twice!
Aden Bell, who has consistently improved over the season, did not disappoint and stormed across the line in 8th place. Richard Cowley, Steve Cox, Ryan McNeill, Nathalie Hooper, Neil Holloway, Fiona Holland, Joanne Sargent, Sarah Watkins made up the rest of our fabulous team. So, after this fourth fixture, the Women’s team crept up the leader board finding themselves in 6th and 7th place.
On the 9 February, Bury Pacers hosted the penultimate cross country at Pakenham. With it being a bit closer to home meant we had more Hares turning out for the race and some first timers too! It was a beautiful course with varied terrain and a couple of short, steep inclines. Even the sun made a brief appearance. Aden raced across the line in 7th place and newbie Kevin Long finished an amazing 35th place. Fantastic running by the rest of the team Belinda Godbold, Dami Bastos, Fiona Holland, Joanne Sargent, Neil Holloway, Nathalie Hooper, Paul Lacey, Ryan McNeill, Stuart Hunt and Sarah Watkins.
The last cross country race of the season the following weekend was held in Corton, Lowestoft. Quite a distance to travel to, but we managed to muster a small team. For all runners it was a new course, so who knew what surprises were in store. To say it was cold was an understatement and that easterly wind was biting. Huddled together like penguins at the start line to keep warm, runners were keen to get going. The terrain was good with the obligatory ups and down, but to make it more interesting, part of the course was on the mountain bike trail. This had us running through the trees up and down several ‘bumps’! Neil Holloway was the first male Hare across the line and got his personal best for cross country this season. Hot on his heels was Nathalie Hooper with Fiona Holland, Jo Sargent and Ryan McNeill not far behind. Luckily there was a fabulous café on site and to celebrate the end of the season.
In summary here are the results for the season:
The ladies team came 6th and 8th.
Aden Bell was 7th out 39 in his AC
Nathalie Hooper 4th in AC
Fiona Holland 2nd in AC
Not forgetting everyone else who participated and a special thanks to Ryan who brought the Gazebo for every race. For a small club we should be very proud of our achievements. Congratulations to all runners who took part and represented the Club. It was a great season with wonderful venues.
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