Will Williams (*pictured above) on top form at the latest cross-country fixture at Shrewsbury.
Road Running trio at another successful cross-country event at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury.
Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson.
Three members of NWRRC travelled to the PGL Centre at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, last Saturday afternoon, to take part in the latest highly successful cross-country fixture within the North Wales XC League.
Will Williams celebrated a podium result after claiming the 2nd spot in his respective MV50 age category following a determined run in the Senior Men’s race, finishing 49th out of 177 quality club entrants in a very respectable time of 30 minutes and 4 seconds.
Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton competed in the Senior Women’s event, which also attracted 158 top club athletes, with Cheryl 78th in 25.21, and 4th in her FV55 age cat, whilst Kay was 88th in 25.43, and she too finished 4th in her FV60 cat.
*Welsh masters Kay Hatton (*above left) with Cheryl Frost.
After the race Will said: “My fifth ever XC race. Learning each time. Much better this week as I paced it better and felt strong on last lap. Massive motivation last lap having my daughter, son in law, and granddaughter to cheer me on that last lap. Thank you to all who organise and volunteer at these events, without your commitment none of this joy would be possible.”
Cheryl Frost later explained: “Kay and I both did cross country in Shrewsbury which nearly didn’t happen as I have been unwell since Wednesday after a flu vaccination. It was literally this morning when I woke up and thought human at last.”
And Kay Hatton confirmed: “That was hard work, but a good undulating course.”
Praise from match official Bernie Jones.
Bernie Jones, the secretary, and match referee from the North Wales Cross Country League, was pleased with how this latest XC event went, and stated: “A big thank you, to Shrewsbury AC, their volunteers, helpers, and officials for not only putting on a great course but also securing goodweather.”
He then added: “Also, I’d like to thank the staff at PGL who welcomed us and helped put on a great event. However, one man organised everything so a big thank you to Jim Higginbottom, who not only was busy setting up the course on Friday, and first to the course on Saturday morning, but he also managed to have a reasonable run as well.
“The next North Wales Cross Country League race will be at Dolgellau (postcode: LL40 1UU) on Saturday 20th January 2024, and before that we have the North Wales Cross Country Championships (and Shropshire and Cheshire Champs for our friends from across the border) on Saturday 7th January 2024."
*The draft results from the David Alun Williams Grand Prix Express North Wales Senior League at Baschurch are now available via the following link: