A smallish but high quality field at the first running of this event, so some excellent ERR performances went without prizes. The exception to this was Mark Creasey, who took the MV60 prize. Well done also to Katherine, who set a new club LV55 record (which would also have beaten the LV35 and LV45 records). Any other debuts, PBs or jokers, please let me know.

Position	Name	Time	Also	CC Pts
10	Mark Baker	16:47	Joker	2x50
17	Robert Storey	17:25	2nd MV50	49
23	Sean Duvall	17:43	PB	48
37	Christopher Williams	18:33		47
46	Hannah Hale	18:56	3rd SL	50
48	Graham Bridges	18:58		46
57	Richard Hume	19:14	Debut	45
60	Tom Baker	19:25		44
72	Nick Maynard	20:22	Debut	43
78	Katherine Bates	20:39	2nd LV55, PB, Club LV55 Record	49
81	Carly Pettett	20:49	PB	48
85	Owen Hughes	21:01		42
86	Tristan Hale	21:03		41
89	Kate Allred	21:16	2nd LV45	47
91	Mark Creasey	21:25	1st MV60	40
108	Tony Whitlock	22:48	3rd MV60	39
120	John Bishop	23:52		38
125	Tara Lawfull	24:05		46
130	Alison Craggs	24:46		45
142	Jane Whitlock	26:22		44
143	Marina Barlow	26:24	PB	43
156	Ian Keeley	27:39		37
158	Ali Berrett	27:54		42
162	Paul Creasey	28:25	2nd MV70	36

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Some excellent performances by the ERR folk at Hooky. Well done to Robert and Kate W for finishing 1st in their categories, to everyone else for their category prizes (Dan was actually 3rd MV40, but took the category prize as those ahead of him won overall prizes), and to Dan, Mark B and Robert for winning the men's team prize ahead of some pretty stiff competition. There was a Keeley joker-fest, and Keith wasn't in club colours (or any other recognisable colour, for that matter), so no points and a jobsworth award for me.

Position	Time	Forename	Surname	Also	CC Pts
5	34:19	Daniel	Lewis	1st MV40	50
6	34:21	Mark	Baker		49
8	35:10	Robert	Storey	1st MV50	48
36	38:17	Christopher	Williams		47
42	39:05	Graham	Bridges		46
64	41:00	Liz	McAllister	2nd LV35	50
94	42:34	Kate	Allred		49
95	42:35	Antony	Green		45
100	42:51	Katherine	Bates	2nd LV55	48
123	44:32	Mark	Creasey		44
148	46:39	Kate	Williamson	1st LV65	47
151	46:56	Jacky	Pinnock		46
185	49:15	Tara	Lawfull	PB	45
187	49:29	Alison	Craggs		44
208	51:35	Colin	Hancox		43
229	53:27	Keith	Baker
264	56:13	Paul	Creasey		42
266	56:25	Ian	Keeley	Joker	2x41
288	58:49	Marisa	Keeley	Joker	2x43
297	59:43	Adrian	Pinnock		40

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Some notable performances by a decent ERR turn-out for the 2nd Combe Motavation. Well done in particular to Robert for finishing top of the very competitive MV50 category, to Mark B for such a high finishing position overall, and our men's A team of Mark, Robert, Dafydd, Pete, Benedict and Arthur for finishing as 3rd men's team in what is a high quality competition. Among the ERR ladies, well done to Katherine and Kate W for winning their categories and to Alison for improving her time on this course by over 3 minutes over last year. No jokers that I am aware of, so please let me know if you played yours. Updated 31/7 to include Steve Butler.

Position	Name	Time	Also	CC Pts
11	Mark BAKER	23:51		50
13	Robert STOREY	24:04	1st MV50	49
25	Dafydd WARBURTON	25:18		48
37	Peter GREEN	25:58		47
40	Benedict POLLARD	26:09		46
57	Arthur McEWAN-JAMES	27:00		45
59	Graham BRIDGES	27:20		44
64	Richard HUME	27:38		43
86	Simon WALKER	28:43		42
98	Ben BREAKER	29:13		41
115	Katherine BATES	29:46	1st LV55	50
122	Owen Hughes	30:28		40
129	Mark CREASEY	30:49		39
132	Kate ALLRED	30:57		49
158	Howard HUMPHRIS	32:04		38
165	Tony WHITLOCK	32:21		37
173	Jacqueline PINNOCK	32:43		48
175	Kate WILLIAMSON	32:49	1st LV65	47
179	Steve BUTLER	33:27		36
188	Jane GARTON	33:27		46
189	Rebecca EVINS	33:34		45
190	Alison CRAGGS	33:39		44
205	Martin JOHNSON	34:31		35
214	Tara HUMPHRIS	34:52		43
227	Hugh MORRIS	35:58		34
232	Derek BREAKER	36:10		33
244	Lisa TYLER	37:09		42
256	Marina BARLOW	37:42		41
261	Keith BAKER	37:59		32
267	Paul CREASEY	38:41		31
272	Jane WHITLOCK	38:53		40
273	Jonathan MOORE	38:53		30
279	David EARLY	39:08		29
288	Benjamin JONES	39:55		28
292	Ian KEELEY	40:10		27
295	Elaine BUTLER	40:41		39
299	Adrian PINNOCK	41:40		26
300	Diane HUBBERT	41:46		38
307	Gail MORRIS	43:09		37
310	Kiri WELLER	43:33		36
321	Sam HARRISON	47:16		35
324	Marisa KEELEY	49:41		34
325	Louise JONES	49:44		33

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Some pretty spectacular results on the flat and fast Didcot course. Kate A celebrated becoming a fully fledged ERR runner by finishing 3rd lady overall, winning the LV45 category, setting a new PB, and taking Katherine's club LV45 record in the process. Katherine made up for the disappointment of this by setting a new PB and taking the club LV55 record. Hannah took the overall ladies title (and a very impressive hamper of honey) in a time just 7 seconds outside her own club record, despite a couple of 'unscheduled' stops on the way. Meanwhile Robert won the MV50 category and took Tony's 12 year old club MV50 record in the process. Kerry and Alison both set PBs, and if anyone else did, or played their joker, please let me know. Steven wasn't in club colours, so no points for him and the jobsworth hat for me.  

Position	Name	Time	Also	CC Pts
7	Robert Storey	28:34	1st MV50, Club MV50 Record, Joker	2x50
18	Benedict Pollard	29:51		49
25	Graham Bridges	30:51		48
31	Hannah Hale	31:18	1st Lady	50
33	Kerry Papps	31:38	PB	47
47	Ben Breaker	32:50		46
51	Tom Baker	33:21		45
56	Kate Allred	33:42	1st LV45, Club LV45 Record, PB	49
62	Carly Pettett	34:19		48
65	Ant Green	34:29		44
71	Katherine Bates	34:53	1st LV55, Club LV55 Record, PB	47
78	Tristan Hale	35:24		43
80	Mark Creasey	35:32		42
90	Anna Mackin	36:39		46
98	Jacky Pinnock	37:21		45
113	Kate Williamson	38:15		44
115	Colin Hancox	38:22		41
124	Jane Garton	38:46		43
131	Alison Craggs	39:10	PB	42
147	Tara Lawfull	40:28		41
240	Steven McKernan	59:02

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Another excellent turnout at Combe, with 48 ERR runners (if you include Kate A, who officially transfers tomorrow) out of the 351 overall. Congratulations to Hannah for finishing 1st SL and 2nd lady overall, to Katherine (1st LV55), and Kate (1st LV65). Also, the ERR men were 3rd in the team category (1st 6 finishers count) and the ERR ladies 2nd (first 3 count).  

Position	Name	Time	CC Pts	Also
13	Mark BAKER	00:21:59	50
19	Robert STOREY	00:22:15	49	3rd MV50
30	Peter GREEN	00:23:03	48
33	Dafydd WARBURTON	00:23:08	47
46	Benedict POLLARD	00:23:35	46
54	Hannah HALE	00:23:55	50	1st SL
61	Graham BRIDGES	00:24:21	45
67	Arthur McEWAN-JAMES	00:24:29	44
70	Richard HUME	00:24:35	43
71	Ben BREAKER	00:24:37	42
74	Kerry PAPPS	00:24:44	41
88	Mark SCHOFIELD	00:25:15	40
90	Nick HARDWICK	00:25:21	39
94	Tom BAKER	00:25:37	38
114	Carly PETTETT	00:26:18	49
131	Kate ALLRED	00:26:54
142	Mark CREASEY	00:27:13	37
143	Katherine BATES	00:27:15	48	1st LV55
152	Tristan HALE	00:27:29	36
167	Anna MACKIN	00:28:02	47
194	Tony WHITLOCK	00:29:16	35
195	Jacqueline PINNOCK	00:29:18	46	2nd LV55
200	Howard HUMPHRIS	00:29:29	34
202	Jonathan MARKS	00:29:32	33
207	Steve BUTLER	00:29:44	32
218	John BISHOP	00:30:28	31
219	Rebecca EVINS	00:30:29	45
222	Kate WILLIAMSON	00:30:30	44	1st LV65
233	Martin JOHNSON	00:30:59	30
237	Tara LAWFULL	00:31:12	43
243	Alison CRAGGS	00:31:42	42
245	Tara HUMPHRIS	00:31:50	41	3rd U19L
259	Hugh MORRIS	00:32:33	29
272	John WILCOX	00:33:37	28
273	Nicola COPPUCK	00:33:37	40
277	Keith BAKER	00:33:43	27
280	David EARLY	00:33:54	26
288	Lisa TYLER	00:34:13	39
295	Jane WHITLOCK	00:34:42	38
316	Elaine BUTLER	00:36:36	37
319	Marisa KEELEY	00:36:40	36
321	Ian KEELEY	00:36:51	25
322	Adrian PINNOCK	00:37:03	24
325	Paul CREASEY	00:37:14	23
333	Diane HUBBERT	00:38:45	35
335	Gail MORRIS	00:39:12	34
348	Roger GASCOIGNE	00:43:34	22
349	Sam HARRISON	00:43:34	33

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A shame there were no prizes for 2nd place at Thame, as Robert, Mark C and Katherine all did very well to finish 2nd in their categories (incidentally, the winning LV55 lady was faster than the LV35 and LV45 winners). Also, the ERR men were 2nd in the men's team competition, while the ERR ladies were a creditable 3rd. Well done to Richard for an excellent PB, even if he didn't quite manage to dip under the magic 40 minute mark. Still, it's good to have something to aim for. Congratulations also to Marina, who set a PB and finished under 53 minutes for the first time. A further mention for Anna, who finished despite being stung by a bee half-way round, which added about 2 minutes to her time. It was a joker-fest among the ERR ladies, but none that I know of from the men. Let me know if this wasn't the case.

Position	Name	Time	Also	CC Pts
6	Mark Baker	00:35:34	PB	50
14	Robert Storey	00:36:53	2nd MV50	49
26	Dafydd Warburton	00:38:15		48
34	Benedict Pollard	00:38:39		47
53	Richard Hume	00:40:06	PB	46
55	Kerry Papps	00:40:12		45
58	Graham Bridges	00:40:26		44
83	Nick Hardwick	00:42:28		43
99	Mark Schofield	00:43:10		42
105	Tom Baker	00:43:26		41
120	Katherine Bates	00:43:55	Joker, 2nd LV55	2x50
128	Ant Green	00:44:28		40
150	Mark Creasey	00:45:20	2nd MV60	39
185	Anna Mackin	00:46:56	Joker	2x49
187	Jacqueline Pinnock	00:46:54	Joker	2x48
370	Marina Barlow	00:52:44	Joker, PB	2x47

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Excellent to see 47 ERR runners at a hot and sunny Bletchingdon, and well done to all the ERR who either led or finished high up in their categories - it can't be bad to have the winners of the U19 and V65 categories. No jokers that I know of, but please let me know if you played yours.

Position	Name	Time	Also
12	Mark BAKER	00:24:15
26	Robert STOREY	00:25:26
47	Peter GREEN	00:26:35
59	Kerry PAPPS	00:27:11
63	Graham BRIDGES	00:27:23
64	Richard HUME	00:27:27
66	Arthur McEWAN-JAMES	00:27:30
73	Mark SCHOFIELD	00:27:46
83	Ben BREAKER	00:28:22
90	Nick HARDWICK	00:28:43
104	Simon WALKER	00:29:16
116	Tom BAKER	00:29:35
124	Carly PETTETT	00:30:07	3rd SL
131	Hannah HALE	00:30:22
159	Anna MACKIN	00:31:25
160	Tony WHITLOCK	00:31:27
167	Mark CREASEY	00:31:47
171	Katherine BATES	00:31:52	1st LV55
176	Tristan HALE	00:32:05
190	Jonathan MARKS	00:32:34
195	Jacqueline PINNOCK	00:32:44	2nd LV55
197	Steve BUTLER	00:32:50
204	Colin HANCOX	00:33:13
213	Kate WILLIAMSON	00:33:47	1st LV65
215	Rebecca EVINS	00:33:52
221	Martin JOHNSON	00:34:05
231	Howard HUMPHRIS	00:34:46
242	Jane GARTON	00:35:21
249	Alison CRAGGS	00:35:54
250	Derek BREAKER	00:35:56
260	Tara LAWFULL	00:36:22
274	Keith BAKER	00:37:18
276	John BISHOP	00:37:31
278	Tara HUMPHRIS	00:37:37	1st U19L
284	David EARLY	00:38:12
287	Jane WHITLOCK	00:38:18
290	Marina BARLOW	00:38:24
302	Paul CREASEY	00:39:04
305	Jonathan MOORE	00:39:10
314	Lisa TYLER	00:40:01
316	Alison BERRETT	00:40:11
318	Adrian PINNOCK	00:40:20
323	Elaine BUTLER	00:40:51
330	Diane HUBBERT	00:42:16
334	Gail MORRIS	00:42:36
336	Kiri WELLER	00:42:55
357	Roger GASCOIGNE	00:51:00

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Thanks to everyone who braved the pretty miserable weather to take part in or help out with this year's handicap race. Firstly, congratulations to Fraser Muir who repeated his victory from last year in the Junior race, with a time of 9:05. Below are the results of the adults' race in all their detail, so you can see where it was won and lost. The category winners are shown in italics, and congratulations to Antony for his overall victory, which led to him taking home the famous trophy, as well as a voucher for a free sports massage at Summertown Clinic. As usual, there were a few people for whom I didn't have any reference times, so couldn't calculate a handicap. At least you'll have one next year...  

Name	Age Group	Handicap	Time	Minus	Plus
Mark Baker	SM	21:57.0	21:35.0	00:22.0
Graham Bridges	MV50	23:21.0	24:22.0		01:01.0
Mark Schofield	MV40	24:25.0	24:32.0		00:07.0
Arthur McEwan-James	SM	23:59.0	24:37.0		00:38.0
Adam Clilverd	SM	25:59.0	25:15.0	00:44.0
Richard Hume	MV40	26:06.0	25:17.0	00:49.0
Nick Hardwick	MV40	26:30.0	25:21.0	01:09.0
Tom Baker	SM	27:21.0	25:46.0	01:35.0
Carly Pettett	SL	26:42.0	25:53.0	00:49.0
Antony Green	MV40	29:08.0	26:05.0	03:03.0
Mark Creasey	MV60	25:56.0	26:55.0		00:59.0
Owen Hughes	SM	29:38.0	26:59.0	02:39.0
Kate Allred	LV45	27:19.0	27:05.0	00:14.0
Tony Whitlock	MV60	28:06.0	27:35.0	00:31.0
Katherine Bates	LV55	28:23.0	27:45.0	00:38.0
Steve Butler	MV50	27:09.0	28:20.0		01:11.0
Colin Hancox	MV50	29:11.0	28:48.0	00:23.0
Tess Evans	LV35	29:32.0	28:50.0	00:42.0
Jacky Pinnock	LV55	29:09.0	29:10.0		00:01.0
Howard Humphris	MV50	31:52.0	29:21.0	02:31.0
Alex Bishop	SM	30:22.0	29:43.0	00:39.0
Martin Johnson	MV60	30:28.0	30:14.0	00:14.0
Kate Williamson	LV65	28:40.0	30:16.0		01:36.0
John Bishop	MV40	28:23.0	31:17.0		02:54.0
Derek Breaker	MV60	28:38.0	31:59.0		03:21.0
Tara Humphis	SL		32:11.0
Keith Baker	MV60		32:14.0
Nicola Coppuck	LV35	33:00.0	32:25.0	00:35.0
Paul Creasey	MV70	32:00.0	32:45.0		00:45.0
David Early	MV60	31:59.0	33:37.0		01:38.0
Ali Berrett	LV45	32:54.0	34:27.0		01:33.0
Andy Greenwood	MV50	34:00.0	34:34.0		00:34.0
Phil Nobes	MV40		34:43.0
Adrian Pinnock	MV60	31:33.0	35:03.0		03:30.0
Elaine Butler	LV45	33:10.0	35:43.0		02:33.0
Gail Morris	LV55	35:56.0	36:54.0		00:58.0
Simon Taylor	MV60	30:48.0	39:10.0		08:22.0

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Great to see so many ERR folk at a chilly Charlton on Otmoor, including a long overdue comeback to club colours from Robert, and debuts from the likes of Victoria and Steven. Well done to Jacky, Kate and Carly for doing so well in their categories. Apparently Carly played her joker. If anyone else did, please let me know.

Position	Name	Time	Also	CC Pts
15	Mark BAKER	00:22:44		50
39	Robert STOREY	00:23:59		49
40	Dafydd WARBURTON	00:24:05		48
52	Peter GREEN	00:24:45		47
80	Graham BRIDGES	00:25:33		46
86	Benedict POLLARD	00:25:55		45
89	Mark SCHOFIELD	00:26:06		44
102	Simon WALKER	00:26:32		43
126	Nick HARDWICK	00:27:17		42
137	Tom BAKER	00:27:32		41
144	Carly PETTETT	00:27:40	2nd SL, Joker	2x50
148	Tristan HALE	00:27:50		40
183	Tony WHITLOCK	00:29:06		39
200	Anna MACKIN	00:29:52		49
204	Mark CREASEY	00:30:08		38
215	Steve BUTLER	00:30:34		37
219	Jacqueline PINNOCK	00:30:41	1st LV55	48
221	Christopher WILLIAMS	00:30:46		36
228	Arthur McEWAN-JAMES	00:31:16		35
230	Richard HUME	00:31:18		34
233	Kate WILLIAMSON	00:31:30	1st LV65	47
235	Jane GARTON	00:31:30		46
257	Tara LAWFULL	00:32:48		45
260	Martin JOHNSON	00:32:52		33
270	John BISHOP	00:33:23		32
276	Alison CRAGGS	00:33:37		44
280	Derek BREAKER	00:33:46		31
288	Hugh MORRIS	00:33:57		30
305	Paul CREASEY	00:34:55		29
307	Benjamin JONES	00:34:59		28
308	Keith BAKER	00:34:59		27
325	Jane WHITLOCK	00:36:06		43
328	David EARLY	00:36:16		26
334	Charmian MASKELL	00:36:38		42
343	John WILCOX	00:37:17		25
344	Elaine BUTLER	00:37:21		41
349	Ian KEELEY	00:37:46		24
352	Marisa KEELEY	00:38:04		40
358	Lisa TYLER	00:38:30		39
362	Adrian PINNOCK	00:39:04		23
378	Gail MORRIS	00:42:06		38
388	Victoria ROSE	00:46:18		37
393	Steven McKERNAN	00:48:37		22

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A medley of the Farmoor Event, Race and season's XC report 

SUMMARY

Generally speaking, one can sum the season up by saying that participation, commitment, improvement, and competitive achievement are all healthy in the club's XC 'club', across all the categories and age groups, with many individual and team successes. Great!

FARMOOR FIXTURE

The final XC fixture of the season was our inaugural home fixture, which was a great success on many levels. Having had some time now to reflect, first of all thanks are due to those who made it happen:

• the Club Committee for agreeing to co-host the event
• David Millin and Nigel Fisher for providing such wonderful venues at the Hill End Centre and Wytham Woods
• Mike Shipway, Neil Preddy and the Woodstock Harriers committee for co-hosting and providing so many marshals, and hares and hounds
• Dene Stringfellow, Oxon XC League Manager, for his enthusiasm, support, advice and help setting the course up and taking it down.
• All the Oxon League officials for their support and advice
• ALL of the many ERR, WHAC and other club team leaders and marshals, parking stewards, money collectors and so on, who helped enormously on the day, and also in setting up the trial run and taking signage/tape etc. down
• Special thanks to Dave Ferrier for diligently managing the difficult conditions in the main parking field along with his excellent team of helpers, and to Ian Hembrow for overseeing the hardstanding and ancillary car parking areas
• Running Imp for turning round the sign order in short order!
• Remembering the inspiration of Kate Williamson, Tess Evans and Denise Bridges for starting the whole exploration of routes and venues 2 or 3 years back, and Larry Poole's more recent rekindling of enthusiasm for it to go ahead in 2017
• I also appreciate those who have thanked me for my efforts. I guess I can't pretend I didn't do anything, and in actuality I can truly say that I enjoyed the preparation, course design, the build-up to the day itself, and the day itself (mostly). 

RACE INTRO

There was another fine turnout from the club, with the Men yet again fielding more than three complete teams (24 runners) and the Ladies committing four complete teams (12). Unfortunately the Ladies were without five of their top runners on the day, but we welcomed Marie Chuilon back to the fold, and Katherine Bates showed us how it's done by taking the VL55 title on the day and also for the season. 

LADIES' SUMMARY

In the Oxon League Ladies competition, much promise was in evidence this season with some notable performances, both individual and in a team context, winning various medals at the County Championships in January, and all sorts of individual merit achieved there too, especially the emergence of Liz McAllister as a natural cross-countrier (is that a real word?). The Farmoor day began with Eynsham A in second place in Division 2, and actually they were sitting as third-best team of all the Divisions, thus primed for a well-deserved promotion to Division 1. However, as we all by now know, you've got to be 'in it to win it' or 'in it to gain promotion'. However, In the absence of each one of arguably our quickest five runners, promotion under the new system was going to be a tough ask! And sadly so it proved, with an on-the-day score of 126 meaning a 4^th place finish in Div. 2 and no promotion. Unfortunately, the League adopted a '2 up-2 down' rule for this season, which I have to say I think should be challenged at the League AGM later this month. The Ladies season-end score of 287 would, nonetheless, have been good enough to sneak into Div. 1 under the old system. So surely next season will see them crack into Div. 1 at last, after much promise over recent years.

MEN'S SUMMARY

In the Men's event, Dan 'David' Lewis continued his superb form by finishing 3^rd in the race, but actually 1^st Senior Man on the day, two places ahead of the overall Senior Men's title winner for the season, Newbury's James Craggs. As he heads into the V40 category for next season, it will be an interesting battle with the likes of James Bolton, Paul Fernandez and Tegs Jones. In my enforced absence from the race, Mark Baker captained the team well on the day, and having warmed up by helping push about 70 cars through the mud in the main car park, he finished an excellent 15^th! Tom and Keith Baker, Nick Hardwick and Jonnie Hancox also all ran after pushing numerous 4x4s through the mud, from what I can gather, as several drivers didn't know how to engage their 4-wheel drive! Jon Cox was close behind Mark, in 18^th, with another fine run, and the remainder of the A team 'enthusiasts' (Dafydd, Sean and Graham) delivered a storming effort to finish 1^st team in Div. 2 on the day, but again narrowly missing out on the Div. 2 title, and again to Witney! This was largely due to real bad luck with injuries, illness and other absences in the previous race at Harwell. We also happily saw Nick Hardwick break into the A team on the day, after a strong run. All these efforts meant that ERR A is promoted back into Division 1, which is deserved. It has been great to welcome many new faces to the club this season, of varying paces, but to counter those who may say we rely too heavily on the 'Satellite Quicks', it is worth noting that 16 club members featured in the League A or County Champs A teams this season. Congrats to all on contributing and being part of the 'promoted squad'.

Mark Baker	Dave Ferrier	Benedict Pollard
Tom Baker	Pete Green	Matt Ray
Ben Breaker	Nick Hardwick	Mark Schofield
Graham Bridges	Henry Hart	Dafydd Warburton
Jon Cox	Dan Lewis
Sean Duvall	Kerry Papps

 

ENGAGE THE NEXT GEAR, CHAPS

So, please hear the call to push on, as the A team has the potential to be Top 3 in Div. 1, whilst also fostering a solid commitment and competition within and amongst ourselves too. It all looks healthy, with the team Captain, Henry Hart and Matt Ray hopefully being more available next season. We also look forward to welcoming new member Tom Norris to the fold at some stage next season, amid rumours of one or two others making a comeback ... attendance is key!

B TEAM PROGRESSION

The momentum of the B team runners is palpable, with Nick H, Ewan MacDonald and Kerry Papps hunting in a pack at Farmoor, in good finishing positions, with Pete Green, Jonnie Hancox and others close behind, and a few other B/A team runners otherwise unavailable. This is what it's all about: seeing improvement and dedication in B team runners, challenging for places in the A team, to keep us all honest. Some of the B team scores this season were close to 'best-evers'.

THE COMMITTED ONES!

Whilst this was all going on, there was also a quieter but just as determined battle going on amongst the ERR 'C and D teams', hunting the Club Men's Championship title, with notable commitment from several runners, borne out by the fact that this season witnessed a record 21 runners overall (Juniors, Men & Women) who ran all 4 races, entitling them to the 'increasingly coveted' '100% commitment' medal. 100%: well done the 21 ERRs who ran all four races: Including both Max and Reuben Coppuck in the Junior races, and the following Seniors: Anna Mackin John Bishop Martin Johnson Bruce Coppuck Katherine Bates Howard Humphris Pete Green Nick Hardwick Ewan MacDonald Colin Hancox Graham Bridges Mark Baker Jane Garton Rebecca Evins Tom Baker Nicola Coppuck Jacky Pinnock Rain Newton-Smith Tara Lawfull  I hope that you all derive satisfaction and added motivation from being there, even in cold wintry weather, competing for your own reasons, whilst also representing the club so consistently ... long may that trend continue. The medals are being designed presently ... updates to follow on the presentation date.

ERR XC CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

The title, in this the third season of the ERR XC Champs, had already been wrapped up superbly by Anna Mackin prior to the home fixture, an effort of which she can be rightly proud of. However the Men's title had apparently not yet been decided, and a very tough hilly course, meant we thought there was still a chance of the leader, John Bishop, being caught. On closer inspection, however, we realised that John actually had won the Men's title already (!), and on account of being able to drop a race, it meant that despite Martin Johnson and Bruce Coppuck both outscoring John over the four races, when the weakest race was omitted, John took the prize. Stats and scores will be posted separately. Howard Humphris deserves mention for a top run at Farmoor, actually the second best performance on the day, after Anna.

So, onto the ...

RESULTS

Runners in bold receive the '100% commitment medal'

U11 Boys (44 finishers)
37	Max Coppuck	8:40
U13 Boys (35 finishers)
30	Reuben Coppuck	12:41
31	Alexander Bishop	12:41
Women (c. 4 miles) (128 finishers)
26	Katherine Bates	34:19	1st LV55 (Day & Season)
41	Marie Chuilon	36:34
59	Tess Evans	37:49
64	Anna Mackin	38:25
75	Jane Garton	39:08
76	Jacky Pinnock	39:12	5th LV55 (Season)
77	Cecilia Dahlsjo	39:18
80	Rebecca Evins	39:36
92	Rain Newton-Smith	40:42
96	Tara Lawfull	41:14
107	Alison Craggs	43:26
113	Nicola Coppuck	45:19
Note: not running at Farmoor, but worthy of special mention: Hannah Hale finished as 2nd Senior Lady for the season, and Liz McAllister 4th VL35 for the season. Unfortunately for Liz, a niggle meant she was unable to compete on the day, but did an excellent mud-splattered role marshalling at the first stream crossing! She also was selected as Oxfordshire's Number 2 for the Inter-Counties at Loughborough and ran well there. Congrats to both, for such fine seasons.
Men (c. 4.9 miles) (230 finishers)
3	Daniel Lewis	30:56	1st SM (Day) 4th SM (Season)
15	Mark Baker	32:43	6th SM (Season)
18	Jon Cox	33:22
48	Dafydd Warburton	35:32
61	Sean Duvall	36:11
83	Graham Bridges	37:46	5th VM50 (Season)
103	Nick Hardwick	39:18
104	Ewan MacDonald	39:18
107	Kerry Papps	39:23
115	Peter Green	39:46
121	Jonathan Hancox	40:06
129	Tom Baker	40:18
134	Richard Hume	40:37
145	Mark Schofield	41:21
160	Mark Creasey	42:47
170	Justin Byworth	43:50
177	Bruce Coppuck	44:19
180	Howard Humphris	44:36
192	Colin Hancox	46:18
203	Tony Whitlock	48:37
204	Martin Johnson	48:50
216	Keith Baker	52:28
219	John Bishop	53:00
221	Paul Creasey	53:21

 

FEEDBACK

It was a tough 'old school' XC course that someone (I wonder who that might have been) designed for you, so 'good on you' to all who braved it and accepted the hills, mud, ditches - a real challenge. Jacky seemed to enjoy the ditch more than others!

Some quotes:

"today's race ... which was really the only proper XC we have had this season" (Abingdon) "Proper XC!" (Several people from various clubs) "Really excellent venue at Hill End near Farmoor. Toughest but the best course of the season. Really hope it's back in the calendar next year. Have loved the XC season this year. It's bloody tough, but an amazing team event. Such fun!" (Hook Norton) "From a competitors point of view, all our athletes really enjoyed the course, there were no adverse comments at all, it was all positive ... the most comments were 'hope we are doing this next year'." (Witney) I have heard other club runners say it was the hardest XC they'd ever done, but enjoyed it nonetheless. Well, here's me signing off after another very commendable XC season from all of you. I hope you enjoyed it, that you can see the momentum building throughout the club, and if you feel so motivated and inclined, then perhaps set an intention to build on that and keep it flowing strongly - both in your own running, and within the club. Have a great spring and summer and do make efforts to enter races that are part of the wider team competitions too, including:

• Oxfordshire Road Race Grand Prix
  • http://oxfordshireathletics.org.uk/road-running (15 road races through the year, which started with the Banbury 15 and White Horse Half Marathon)
• County Road Relays, Abingdon (April 30^th) - about a week left to sign up for that
• Ridgeway Relay (June 18^th) - Graham oversees this fabulous event

 

• 2017/2018 XC: likely dates: DIARISE NOW, then forget about it until October!
  • Sunday November 5^th
  • Sunday December 3^rd
  • Sunday January 7^th (or possibly the 14^th)
  • Sunday February 4^th
  • Sunday March 4^th

XC's only half a Sunday, five days a year. What's that? Less than 2.5% of your weekend time!

 

Benedict Pollard

Men's Captain

12^th April 2017

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