2005-2006 Cross Country Season

The season began at Durford Wood near Liss at the end of October with a record turnout, 9 women (3 are needed for the team), and 8 men (5 are needed). The weather was kind, but the course was not! This one is very hilly, longer than most others and finishes on a killer hill, where you desperately try to overtake the man or woman in front to move up another place. Women 170 points (13 th), men 326 points (12 th), always remembering that the lower your points score the better! Overall 13 th place.

Two weeks later we were off to Queen Elizabeth Country Park (well the others were, I had visitors so Helen G stood in for me to collect results). Again the weather was okay, and Chris Turner’s husband took some great pictures. This is another hilly course. Women 210 points (16 th), men 343 points (11 th), 14 th place overall.

December and a frosty, icy day saw us off to The Bourne Woods near Farnham. Some nasty hills, frozen ground, steep steps down, and the usual mud. Women 155 points (12 th), getting better, men 318 points (13 th). Overall 14 th place again, however this was the guy’s best points score of the season.

Post Christmas and we were standing in a chilly field at Midhurst. Off through the farmyard mud (smelly), and onto a new and improved course. Slightly shorter 4 ½ miles and less boggy, but still with plenty of mud. The final hill (yes another final hill) is really tough, but I just managed to get past another woman at the end. Women 157 points (13 th), men 436 points (15 th), overall 12 th because we had a full team!

At the end of January we journeyed to Manor Farm, this course was relatively mud free with all the dry weather we had experienced, also not so hilly, but consequently the pressure was on to go fast. Women 157 points (14 th), men 348 points (11 th), overall 13 th.

The final race in February was after some particularly wet weather at Staunton Country Park. It snowed as we were driving there and the skies were very grey. Most of the usual men’s team were abroad (skiing), so as a special favour Ralph, Peter, and Pete had all turned out. But on the start line we were one man short! Ian Ryall (friend to Tina) became an instant Clanfield Jogger, he was given a shirt and put on the start line with orders to just get round, as it turned out he came 2 nd in our men’s team! Not too many hills but more mud than the rest of the runs put together, dreadful to run in, very draining, but our girls came up trumps with their best score yet! Women 125 points (10 th) yeah! Men 421 points (13 th), overall 10 th, again due to having a complete team-phew!

We’ve had a brilliant season; in the final standings we were 14 th. Congratulations to Liss who came first again! Thanks to everyone who took part and particularly to Tina Lewendon and Wendy Whelan who turned out for every race.

See you all next year???

Helen Jolliffe