Centurion Running Club

Cross Country 2001/2002

12/01/02 Birmingham Cross Country League - Race 4, Great Malvern

23/021/02 National Championships, Bristol

26/01/02 Midland Championships, Newbold Comyn

12/01/02 Birmingham Cross Country League - Race 3, Princethorpe College

05/01/02 Warwickshire Champs, Newbold Comyn

01/12/01 Birmingham Cross Country League - Race 2, Coundon Park

03/11/01 Birmingham Cross Country League - Race 1, Senneleys Park

Saturday, March 16^th - Birmingham Cross Country League

Division 3, Great Malvern

In the end, we needn't have worried at all about relegation - we found out (after all the worrying) that only two clubs were going to be be relegated after all. Add to that, Rugby and Northampton amalgamating, and why were we ever worried?

Several fine Centurion performances, particularly an excellent 7^th place from Preston and a sparkling debut from Ian, saw us through to 9^th on the day and 11^th overall. In the end, a tough season ended with only an agonising 9 points separating us from tenth placed Royal Sutton.

And things are looking up. With sixteen Centurions turning out on the superb Malvern course, two of them making their League debuts, and - at last - the prospect of youngsters coming through, we'll be doing our level best to avoid another relegation battle next season.

Many thanks to our friends from Northbrook with whom we shared a coach and a few pints at the Nightingale on the way home. Looks like we'll be renewing our acquaintance later in the year.

Individual Results

Team Results

Final League Table

Saturday, February 23^rd - National Championships

Bristol

Ladies

Men

Saturday, January 26^th - Midland Cross Country Championships

Newbold Comyn

Having watched the lads tear round Princethorpe 2 weeks earlier I thought this looks too much like fun not to have a go myself. So when Andy Matthews asked me if I was interested in having go I naively said yes to do the next event, i.e. the Midland XC at Leamington, Newbold Comyn.

It wasn't until the Thursday before the race that Bob Eaton (my coach) told me, under his breath, it was 12k and not 10K. He then shared the weather forecast with me suggesting it might be a bit windy. Little did I think I would need my swimming trunks as well.

I arrived with Bob just in time to watch the start of the senior women's race. I watched in horror at the state of them as they made their way round in mud half way up their shins. It was then that Bob kindly pointed out that the men's race was twice the distance and 3 times up 'the hill'.

What had I done !

I set off with only one objective: to get round. The first small loop was like running through treacle; little did I realize this was good ground compared to the rest of the course.

Having never ran a XC before I was at a loss tactically, should I take a wider line to get better ground or just plough another furrow through the mud. It wasn't until the start of the second full lap that I decided I would always take the shortest route possible. At certain points round the course this meant running through 18 inches of mud filled lakes !

As I got to the top of the climb along the river for the second time I was lapped by the leader, a Mr. R Birchall who even in these conditions came floating past. I was quickly overtaken by a further 3 of the leading runners before starting my final lap.

Having set out with just one objective, to get round, I knew I would make it once I reached the summit of 'the hill' for the the final time. From here it was just another 15 minutes of mud wrestling to the finish line.

I crossed the line with a real sense of achievement; I was elated with the whole experience. I started jogging 7 months ago simply to improve my squash game it has subsequently turned into a real fun adventure which I hope to continue and improve upon for many more years to come.

Neil Prentice

Individual Centurion Results

Centurion finished 17^th men's team.

Saturday, January 12^th - Birmingham Cross Country League

Division 3, Princethorpe College

A weakened Centurion's men team produced some fine individual performances but failed to prevent the team dropping into the bottom three.

On a dry but chilly afternoon, first Centurions home were once again Preston, Pete and Paul - all of them improving on their positions from race 2. Then came a small posse of Centurions as Robin, Graham and Dave fought out a tremendous club battle over the last lap, Dave improving by 40 places over his Coundon Park performance and Graham improving by no less than 42 places! Great performances also from Andy M, Bob, Tom and Kevin and a particular mention must be made of young Adam, competing as a junior in his first ever cross country league race for Centurions - a star for the future.

In the end, though, it was all just too much for us as Wolves produced by far their best result of the season to leapfrog us in decisive fashion and leave us occupying the third relegation place. The last race of the season at Malvern will now require a great escape of Colditz proportions if we are not to drop down a division. Finally, many thanks to Rugby for putting on a true cross country race over yet another variation of this fine course.

Individual Results

Team Results

League Table (After 3 Races)

Saturday, January 5^th - Warwickshire Championships

Newbold Comyn

Ladies

The story of the race in photographs.

Position	Name	Time
5	Kim Elliott	28:46
31	Mary Williams	35:38
39	Steph Smart	37:08
41	Sally Gisbourne	37:37

Men

Saturday, December 1^st - Birmingham Cross Country League

Division 3, Coundon Park

Individual Results

Team Results

League Table (After 2 Races)

Saturday, November 3^rd - Birmingham Cross Country League

Division 3, Senneleys Park

Individual Results

Team Results