Worcester runners brave mud for success (From Worcester News)

Worcester runners brave mud for success

11:01am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in Sport

UNDETERRED by the recent rainfall, a strong contingent of local distance runners took to Malvern Common for the County Championships, hosted by Worcester Athletic Club.

In the senior women’s race, the hosts and defending champions had to settle for silver as they were edged out of first place by rivals Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Camilla Barnes was first home for Worcester in third. With the first three women from each club making up the team event, Molly Browne (10th) and Sandra Lane (12th) secured the club finished second.

Missing several of its strongest runners, Worcester’s senior men’s team struggled to match its high level of performances in recent years and had to settle for third in the team race.

Nonetheless, there were some impressive performances, notably Adam Wilks, who in placing 10th was Worcester AC’s first man across the line for his highest ever finish in the Championships.

The youngest athletes braving the Malvern mud were in the under 13s race. Jake Cavens was Worcester’s first individual winner of the day. Team-mate Oliver Morgan also claimed an individual podium spot, placing third.

In the under 17s men’s race, Worcester’s Declan McManus was a convincing winner with his time of 22 minutes 13 seconds more than a minute clear of his nearest rival.

Training partner Ollie Roberts also placed well, finishing fifth A Worcester athlete also took home a medal in the under 17s women’s race, with Jenny Klein finishing third.

In the under 15s boys’ age group, a strong team of Dan Stock (second), Lewis Sternkopf (fifth) and Ben Clarke (sixth) took the team title.

It was a similar story for the Worcester girls as the team of Nixie Turner (second), Sophie Tothill (third) and Helen Jubb (sixth) claimed victory.