Thanks to our roving reporter, Rachel Pollard, for this great write up…. 🙂
Sunday morning dawned bright and early, and let’s be honest, flipping freezing. Cirencester Park is a really picturesque venue, with an old hunting lodge by the start, woodlands and a folly as you watch the runners come up to the finish line. It was particularly pretty with the frost glinting in the sunshine, although this was probably more appreciated by the spectators than the athletes.
Bracing temperatures not withstanding, everyone was keen to get going. Turning out for the U9s were Willow and Tillie, followed by Georgie & Juliet for U11 girls, all of whom coped admirably with the challenging conditions. There was a great turn out for the U11 boys with five athletes, James home first followed by Rhys, then a flurry of activity with Jack, Samuel and Embry finishing within a few places of each other.
These first races come thick and fast, so there was an air of quiet anticipation as we waited, with restorative cake from Tony, for the U13 girls to come up and over the hill (a very cruel finish that). Martha appeared first, with Bethany’s bright pink socks not far behind. Macy, Skye and first timer Isla dug deep to get over the line. U13 boys were next, giving it everything they had, determination writ large, pacing themselves well. Glenn was the first Witney finisher, and in the top ten, closely followed by Lewis and Will, with Tom, Jacob and Ryan all finishing strongly further down the field. As they were coming over the line, Lily, flying the flag for U15 girls was waiting to start her race before showing grit and determination to end a good morning for the juniors.
Please see link below to the results:
https://www.witneyroadrunners.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2019-2020-Round-2-Results.txt
Team standings after two events:
U13 Girls – 9th , U13 Boys – 5th, U15 / U17 Girls – 11th
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