A cool start to a gloriously sunny day, but after Saturday’s rain, there were some muddier and wetter parts of the course, compared with last year. The inclusion of Malvern Joggers did little to upset the balance in the men’s event, but they provided the winner of the ladies’ race in Emma Gooderham, who finished nearly 2 and a half minutes in front of Sue D, who herself crossed the line a full minute ahead of the 3rd placed runner. Nicky struggled round, nursing her Achilles injury, and still managed to finish 1st over 50. Liza again finished in the top half of the field (even if the finish was at the bottom end of the field – joke!), in 21st (33.45) and Sue Powell, running in her first race, ran really well and got round in 35.16, in 28th place, putting the ladies’ team in 4th place overall. Stacey struggled with his footing in the muddier places and finished 10th in 45.13. with Jon Pugh 1st (41.06) keeping a bit of a margin ahead of Jon Barnes (41.33). Young Dave R had a stormer, in 13th, adjudged to have lost out in a photo finish with Andy Taylor (both 45.58). It was good to see Nigel M competing again, and he ran well to finish 18th (47.51), just ahead of Mark (20th, 48.05), followed by Dave G (24th, 49.32) and Dan (25th, 49.45). Mick was a whisker behind the 1st over 50, finishing in 27th (50.14). Richard was another to return to cross country today and no doubt the course was a bit of a shock to the system – he was 32nd (51.56), with Matt a little further back in 53.16 (38th). Guy crossed the line in 54.33 (44th), Daren was 47th (55.29) and Gary G 49th (55.53). Ian P found the going tough after a bout of bronchitis, and had to settle for 61st (57.33), just in front of Jimmy (57.41) and Neil T (57.47). Brian Lloyd found the country tougher than the roads of Upton Bishop, and was thankful to finish! ( 70th, 59.01) Tom bravely completed the course in 59.41 and Bryan showing remarkable tenacity, finished in 69.11. The men’s A team is 2nd, the B team 7th, the C team 11th and we even fielded a D team (15th).
