Unseasonably good weather meant that Druridge Bay was resplendent in the sun – not ideal for the runners but perfect for the spectators. We had a fantastic turnout of juniors and it was great to see quite a few new faces taking part. First up we had the U11 boys with Jack Whitelaw coming 10th (6:28) and Aidan Whitfield in his first XC for TBH coming 31st (7:17).
Next up was the U11 girls and another TBH first-timer, Melina Bourgenot-Lewis, who came 18th in 7:08. Zak Kettle was our only representative in the U17 men’s race and he came a very creditable 15th in a time of 19:01.
Now it’s worth pausing a moment to say thanks to the organisers who had to move the course at the last moment. The runners should have been heading down the field where all the tents were located. It was incredibly uneven and would almost certainly have resulted in injuries. Instead they moved it to the nearby track – which explains why the toilets were all located right next to the course!!
Anyway, back to the action and next up were the U15 boys. Jake Moir was 1st home for TBH in 23rd position with a time of 14:07. George Weare was 35th with a time of 15:09, closely followed by Luis Nichol in 39th place in a time of 15:42 and Harry Snaith in 42nd place in a time of 16:08. Overall the team came 7th.
U15 girls were next to depart and we had just the one entrant, Adeline Bourgenot-Lewis, in her first XC for TBH who came 50th in a time of 18:24.
The well-contested U13 boys race featured 4 TBH runners. I’ll hand over to Liam Whitelaw to share his experience:
“Druridge Bay Cross Country started well. As we arrived the weather was perfect (not too hot or too cold) and the atmosphere was great. We were all raring to go.
The under 11s started the whole thing off strongly for TBH and we even got a top ten finish from Jack Whitelaw.
As the races went on, I felt nervous – but when we were called to the line me and my fellow runners were ready. After they shot the gun, someone in front of me fell and I had to dart out of the way. That was the end of their race by the looks of things.
The track was very bumpy so how I made it through without a twisted ankle I don’t know. I definitely put everything on the track so I was happy with how I did.
After cheering on the Under 13 girls I ate my lunch. I really enjoyed the cross country and I hope to do it again soon. ”
(Dave Moir insisted the lunch detail was added in to the report so I can confirm it was chicken legs and sausage roles that the Whitelaw’s refuelled on).
Liam had clearly got his pre-race nutrition strategy sorted as he was the first TBH home in 10th place overall with a time of 14:20. Next was Freddie Palmer running from fast pack in a time of 13:09. Then it was Lucas Powell in 24th place (15:07) and Henry Pickett in 36th place (15:49). The U13 boys were 5th place overall.
The last of the junior races was the U13 girls which again was well contested. Probably run of the day goes to Anna Carr who had a fantastic run coming 22nd in a time of 16:45. Naimah Michla was 25th (17:04), Alanah Perowne 28th (17:16), Kora Howorth 46th (18:30), Ruby Ditchburn 47th (18:35) and Lucy Nichol 68th (24:54). The U13 girls were 7th place overall.
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