We had another good turnout of senior women for the second Kent League match at Somerhill.Somerhill is a true cross country course with long hills and usually loads of mud. This year, the course had been changed which meant that there was a longer run up towards the first hill. Despite this, most of the senior women thought that the course was even tougher. However, as there has been no real rain for some weeks the team was at least spared the mud – much to the disappointment of some who think that is all the fun. Times seemed to be quicker than in previous years but because of the revised course it is not really possible to compare like with like.
Caroline Ford established herself with the front runners early on and looked strong throughout coming home in an excellent fourth place. Emily Gelder and Cara Oliver who had respectively been injured and training for a swimathon (rather than running) came next and were both well up the field. Emily Meins put in another consistent performance to be the fourth harrier home. Next was Sophie Fenner, an under 20, who had bravely decided to choose the most challenging Kent league course as her debut at the longer senior women’s cross country distance. This should really help her prepare for the longer championship distances. She was closely followed by Joanne Murphy who was able to run much faster this time out as she was wearing her running leggings as opposed to her jeans! Monica Whitefield continues her recovery from major injury and was next followed by Maria MacDonald. Maria had been smiling all the way round and was still smiling when she finished.
The team did very well coming fourth in the 3 to score competition and an excellent third in this 6 to score competition. After two fixtures we are lying third out of 13 in the 6 to score and fifth after 20 in the 3 to score. This proves how important it is to have strength in depth in the squad is only four of those who turned out for the first match were able to make the second.
RESULTS 4 Caroline Ford 19.37 15 Emily Gelder 20.56 30 Cara Oliver 22.03 46 Emily Meins 23.24 71 Sophie Fenner 25.06 77 Joanne Murphy 25.42 89 Monica Whitefield 27.03 107 Maria MacDonald 29.21
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