Silver and Fun at the Rising Sun

Fifteen green and golds of a certain age took to the snowy but sunny, sledge-filled slopes of the Rising Sun Country Park home turf to compete in the NEMAA Open X-Country Championships on Saturday 2nd February.

We had a fantastic men’s team out, clinching silver overall in the M35 category!

It was great to see Chris Smith donning his green and gold vest again after a recent, very welcome return to the club. He was our first male in an awesome 29.41, followed by Andy Graham (31.14) and Simon Lyon (31.24). Massive congratulations lads.

Ninth place team was Dave Diston, Andy Wigmore and James Torbett.

Fifth in the M45 category were Simon Charlton, David Sundin and Mick Costello.

Neil Armstrong and Michael Lyndsay put in great performances for the men.

Not making up a team in previous years it was great to have a full women’s team out and ready to give it their all this year, coming a very respectable fifth overall in the v35 category.

Emily James was our first lady in 26.44, followed by Joy Blackburn (29.52) and Julie Collinson (31. 09). No rest for Jeanette Gibson, who was still running her socks off rather than recovering from RED January. Well done Jeanette on a fantastic start to the year.

Full results here.

So now we need you young ‘uns to come and join us too for the penultimate Harrier League X-Country of the season on Saturday at Peterlee. It’s all to play for and the weather looks to be quite a bit milder so come and do your bit for the team at the formidable but fun-filled Thornley Hall Farm! See you there (with cake I promise 🙂

Emily