On Saturday 4th February, Oswestry Olympians hosted the fifth race in the North Wales Cross Country League race at the Marches School in Oswestry. It was also the final race in the 2016\2017 series, which meant there was a good turnout with all to play for in some battles. Another really good turnout from Buckley too, with 25 runners making the journey.
We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day, with an early morning chill clearing and race conditions were ideal with sun and cloud, a small breeze and about 9 degrees. The course condition was also relatively firm for most parts, which was in complete contrast to last year’s mudbath.
The course route was slightly modified from last year, now making it 6.2m and also the longest course of the season. It is held on the school fields at the back but also takes in other fields too. It starts with one lap of the main field, then one large lap (ladies, U17’s and O70’s) and two large laps (mens). It is varied course, which goes around the outside of a number of fields.
However there is a wooden fence to scale (twice per lap) a couple of streams to cross, a lane taking you to an outlying field, with a large downhill and uphill section around this field, before heading back across the lane, in to a large bog and back to the start.
As always, first up at 2pm were the Over 70’s and ladies. Representing Buckley, there were 8 ladies out of a field of 93 and 2 over 70’s out of a field of 8.
Ladies Results
| Position | Name | Age | Time |
| 17 | Hayley Evans | W35 | 25:26 |
| 21 | Samantha Tutton | W35 | 25:47 |
| 25 | Ceri Cook | W45 | 26:08 |
| 39 | Hazel Berrett | W50 | 27:35 |
| 42 | Dawn Urqhart | W40 | 28:00 |
| 48 | Jane Lindley | W50 | 28:50 |
| 49 | Margaret Ludden | W50 | 28:51 |
| 69 | Amanda Garner | SW | 31:27 |
Over 70’s Results
| Position | Name | Age | Time |
| 2 | John Morris | M70 | 29:31 |
| 7 | Jack Thomas | M70 | 36:22 |
Next up at 2:45pm were the men. Representing Buckley, there were 15 men out of a field of 142.
Men’s Results
| Position | Name | Age | Time |
| 5 | Prezemyslaw Tomczak | SM | 36:46 |
| 11 | Jez Brown | M40 | 37:55 |
| 28 | Chris Callaghan | SM | 40:33 |
| 30 | Eric Campbell | M50 | 40:43 |
| 31 | Simon Roberts | M45 | 40:50 |
| 44 | Eddie Davies | M45 | 42:15 |
| 80 | Gareth Houghton | M40 | 45:05 |
| 96 | Karl Williams | M45 | 46:31 |
| 101 | Steve Bellis | M60 | 47:33 |
| 102 | Dave Boothroyd | M50 | 47:45 |
| 105 | Ian Bayliss | M55 | 48:05 |
| 106 | Tim Hargreaves | M45 | 48:09 |
| 122 | Huw Lewis | M55 | 51:22 |
| 125 | Michael Austin | M40 | 52:06 |
| 141 | Rob Mackey | M65 | 01:07:39 |
Some great results from team Buckley on the day and for the season, well done to everyone who took part.
At the end of the season, results are calculated based on the best 4 results from the 4 races and I am happy to say that Buckley runners picked up medals galore.
Ladies Results
- Equal 3rd F35 – Samantha Dutton
- 2nd F50 -Hazel
- Ladies team were 3rd overall in Division 1
- Ladies Masters team 3rd
Men’s Results
- 5th overall male – Jez Brown
- 1st M40 – Jez Brown
- 3rd M45 – Simon Roberts
- 3rd M65 – Robert Mackey
- 2nd M70 – John Morris
- 2nd M75 – Jack Thomas
- Men’s team were 3rd overall in Division 1
- Men’s masters team were 2nd
Pictures can be found here (courtesy of NeeNee LJ)
So that’s it keep an eye out on Facebook and in Club Calendar for the 2017\2018 dates.
English (UK) 
Cymraeg