On a day when the gales were so ferocious that some runners found it difficult to remain standing, Nene Valley Harriers produced another barnstorming performance in The North Midlands Cross Country League at Shipley Park in Heanor.
With three of this campaign’s four meetings now completed, Nene Valley feature in the top three in all bar one of the age categories.
The club – which boasts a strong contingent of South Holland members – were without some of their leading youngsters due to their involvement in The Peterborough Schools’ Championship the previous day.
But, such is the strength of Russ Prosser’s gifted squad, it hardly seemed to matter.
The under-15 girls look set to secure the North Midlands title at the final meeting of the season in Nottingham next month.
Despite finishing second to Derby AC on the day, the youngsters hold a healthy overall lead, with the consistency of Jose Fortune and Ellie Piccaver – who finished a solid sixth and seventh on the day – proving key. Anna Warrington completed the scoring with a 14th place finish.
The senior ladies also finished runners up in the Heanor mud, with the reliable duo of Cat Foley-Wray and Nicky Morgan finishing fifth and 13th respectively.
Morgan has been first veteran home in all three races to date and will be looking to complete a series whitewash at Nottingham.
Ruth Jones also came home 18th in her first league outing of the season, meaning the ladies have an excellent chance of the overall runners-up spot behind runaway leaders and certain champions Notts AC.
Nene Valley’s under-13 girls were led home by eighth-placed Calypso Priestley, two positions ahead of Katie Tasker. Millie Weller was the final scorer, helping to secure her team third place –leaving them second overall and within touching distance of leaders Rushcliffe AC.
The girls’ under-17 team retained third position overall, with Megan Ellison having her usual fine finish in third ahead of Olivia Orkan and Imogen Woodward. They placed fifth on the day.
Meanwhile, Nene Valley’s senior men continued their best cross country season for some years – and look almost certain to finish in the silver medal position behind Notts AC.
The young and talented team all ran well over the 10km course, with James McCrae cutting through the wind to finish ninth in a time of 35.27mins.
Jake Richardson (16th), Alex Hampton (19th), Lloyd Kempson (30th) and Jevan Robertson (36th) helped the team to third place.
Fine grouping by the under-17 men’s trio of Austin Herbert (eighth), Oliver Bowling (tenth) and Nathan Davey (12th) placed them second – a position that they also hold in the team standings.
Despite finishing fourth at Heanor, the under-13 boys are sitting comfortably in second position. Sam Oakley secured ninth place ahead of Matt Church and Sam Garner, the other Harriers scorers.
The under-15 boys had a good day with a second place finish. And, although they are lying fourth overall, a top three position is not out of the question.
The carrier ran as a group with just 17 seconds separating 13th placed Nandeli Palenbe from Ollie Oakley in 17th. Ethan Ellison and Mapesho Mutumka finished 14th and 16th respectively.
The mixed under-11s completed a fine day for Nene Valley by finishing third to remain in third spot overall. Oliver House, Joe Garner and Little Hemmings were the scorers. There is no doubting the pedigree of Hemmings, whose father Lance was a force on running scene in the 1990s.
