NE Cross Country Champs – Men’s Report

Report by Bruce Crombie (Where he manages to shoehorn a mention of his Chevy Chase victory into the Report)

Well it’s been 25 years since Alnwick last had the privilege of hosting the county’s  showcase xc and since we want to get it back here a bit quicker next time, we knew we had to make a good job of it. So the powers that be turned to coach to the stars Geoff Campbell and made him clerk of course.
To us lads lads lads he is Mr Alnwick Harriers. Since I’ve known him he’s put his coaching before his own running and brought through some great young talented runners, worked with some top athletes and even took a raw, mediocre but really good looking fell runner and turned him into a Chevy Champion.
(No not by getting all the decent runners not to enter that year before you say it.)
Of course he had a fantastic team helping and the whole lot of them should be very proud of the event they put on.
Well done Alnwick Harriers.
I was summoned to Mrs Weightman’s office at 10.15 and I didn’t dare be late.
I stood trembling as she gave us our marshalling duties. Luckily enough she gave me a job not even I could muck up.
I turned away thinking I had been dismissed, then she let out a blood curdling cry of “CROMBIE!”, called me back in and chastised me for not paying attention and talking in class.
Through tears I said “sorry Mrs Weightman “ and left with 100 lines.
Now to the race. A quick mention to the juniors, good turnout by the young uns with the u15 girls winning and Millie taking an individual 3rd place. Well done everyone.
The whole event was running very smoothly with Geoff and Ross Wilson patrolling the pastures on their quad bikes like David Hasselhoff and the cop patrolled Venice Beach in Baywatch- I imagine.
The course was in great condition. Geoff had lengthened it slightly with a particularly tough hill section half way round and a downright annoying bit being added just when you thought you were on your way in.
Graham Simpson was first home for us (68), fantastic run considering running has taken a back seat for Simmo lately as he welcomed the birth of his wife’s 2nd child into the family home.
Big congratulations to him and his wife..
I was next (75)
Phil Hall and Graham Syers had a real tussle with the big man edging out the young doctor by a couple places (94/96).
Adam Fletcher had just turned vet 40 the last time we hosted the championships and he rolled back the years to finish in 105th place.
After a good start Mike Telfer struggled with stomach pains and was just happy to finish without “doing a Radcliffe” or having an accident (133)
We had a few call offs due to injury or illness but considering we didn’t have a team or a tent last year I’m very happy, also the lads did their bit and marshalled as well.
Massive congratulations to Carl Avery on his first win of this event. Top runner and a top top lad.
Next we have The Sherminator cup just into the new year- see you all at a Temple Park.

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