3 weeks after the 1st race in the series, a last minute change of venue was needed for round 2 due to problems with the landowner at Markfield.
Step in the fabulous John Skev and a more than adequate replacement was found at Prestwold Hall on a chilly but sunny day.
Many Striders with children will be familiar with this venue as it’s the location for the Leicestershire and National primary schools XC championships, so after supporting our offspring over the years, it was good to finally run here.
The course was 2 laps, with mainly wide open mowed grassland but also a couple of ditches to navigate, a steep hill up an embankment and a wade through a big puddle. With little or no narrow parts causing hold-ups, the speedsters could really motor and show their class. The rest of us did our best!
What was most pleasing about today’s race was how many people came, even though it was a less than ideal time, being the day after the popular Seagrave long-distance XC race. With Katie, Vicki, Lou, John, Alan and Nick all having raced both, and Matt continuing to progress coming back from injury, there were some great performances. Also great to see Kathy on her first XC outing declaring she “loved it” with a massive smile as she crossed the line. We weren’t sure we’d have a full men’s team but when Nick turned up (with his very shiny new shoes!) I could have kissed him. He’s happy that I didn’t!
Placings for the ladies: Katie Hateley 24, Vicki Lowe 52, Lou Houghton 130, Kathy Walsh 165, Celia Bown 171, Sue Pettingill 178, Kaye Mead 183
Placings for the men: Ian Drage 82, Andy Nicholls 165, Alan Thompson 205, John Houghton 227, Tam Nicol 248, Matt White 291, Steve Dewick 309, Nick Pryke 322