Croft Ambrey Running Club : 2010 Herefordshire Summer Off Road League Champions. It has been a long wait to take a county team title but this was thoroughly deserved as Croft won each round of the series to finally win by a record margin of 98 points with Couriers 2nd and Wye Valley 3rd. The key to victory has been some consistent and impressive runs from Stacey, Simon and Dave A. and Sue whose determined and influential performances made all the difference in a competition where the leading females play such an important role. Many other runners have also made a valuable contribution to the team effort as their excellent running has pushed the opposition runners further down the finishing order in a contest where every point counts.
The final race at Shobdon saw Croft fielding 6 complete teams as well as organising the event and marshalling the course. The course itself, appreciated by all the runners due to its scenic but challenging nature, was slightly different this year with an extra sharp climb in the arboretum section. Stacey and Simon again produced quality performances to register top 6 positions and Dan, featuring in his first race of the summer, became our 3rd counter in 11th place. Useful packing from Dave A., Mark, Dave G., Gavin, Neil P. and Mick gave us 9 finishers in the top 25 in a demonstration of strength in depth which further undermined the opposition and Sue provided another powerful run to finish 34th overall to seal victory.
Suzanne, despite a reoccurrence of her stitch problem, brought the 2nd team home in a creditable 5th position with a resolute run. Matt celebrated his debut run for the club with a respectable 50th placing and it was good to see Mossy back running in sky blue.
Individual winners in the series were Stacey as 3rd man, Mick as first O.50 in his first event back in Croft colours, Guy with a dominant win in the O.65 section and Sue took the 2nd female award as reward for an exceptional series of races.
Croft Ambrey R.C. also thanks Penny and Richard Corbett for their kindness in allowing us to hold the event on their delightful property and Pam and Ray Jones for opening up the Shobdon Visitor Centre which provides such a good presentation venue.
Repeat : Croft Ambrey, League Champs.
