Newark duo leading way in Lincolnshire

2:59pm Thu Jan 28, 2010

Two cross-country runners from the Newark area featured among the honours at the Lincolnshire Schools’ Championships.

Naomi Collier of Claypole and Ruth Money of Newark, who both attend the Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School, won their respective age-groups at the championships at Louth.

They were among the leading athletes from district qualifiers held across the county last year, with both athletes getting through to the finals.

In her debut season, Money delivered an impeccable performance, leading the field from the start over a muddy and undulating 2K course to claim the under-13 title.

Collier was similarly impressive over a 3.5K course, clinching victory to add the under-17 crown to the under-15 title that she won at the same championships last year.

Both girls train with Grantham Athletic Club, and have now qualified to represent Lincolnshire Schools in the Anglian Championships to be held in Cambridgeshire on February 6.

They will be accompanied by Claypole’s Amelia Hall, who also put in a sterling performance to secure her place in the county’s under-20 team.

Ten Newark Athletic Club members were in action in the wet and mud at the Lincolnshire Schools’ championships.

Ollie Carrington battled it out at the front in the year 10-11 boys’ race, but the eventual winner proved too strong and he had to settle for second.

Linton Taylor was not too far behind in fourth position, and was closing Ollie down at one point before his club-mate widened the gap once more.

The runners finishing in the top 20 qualified for the Lincolnshire team at the Anglian Schools’ Championships.

Newark AC results, year seven boys: 12 Edward Booth; 14 Jack Fenton.

Year 8/9 girls: 10 Bethany Scotney; 15 Libby Carrington; 24 Eleanor Ripley.

Year 8/9 boys: 28 Chris Sanger.

Year 10/11 girls: 14 Chloe Hubbard.

Year 10/11 boys: 2 Oli Carrington; 4 Linton Taylor; 33 Andy Sanger.

For the first time in several weeks, Newark AC’s cross-country runners were able to return to the familiar surface of grass and mud, and were keen to get racing after the postponements the previous weekend because of a waterlogged course.

The Wollaton Park course was in good condition, despite the snow thawing and some heavy

rain before the racing got under way, and the venue proved to be a fine setting for the North Midlands League finale.

Rachel McCuaig had already won the veteran over-40 title with a race to spare, but the star performer completed the series in style by taking maximum points.

Despite missing one race with injury, Kate Else finished third in the veteran over-45 age-group.

But the best result of the day was produced by Charlotte Peach, who continues to improve with every race. She was 11th in the under-13 girls’ race, while Doug Kelley also impressed with his highest finish of the season with 14th spot in the senior men’s event.

Results, senior/veteran men (9th team overall): 14 Doug Kelley (14th senior overall); 52 Howard Leek; 129 Richard Peach; 152 Tim Bagguley; 153 John Compton; 164 John Combie (seventh veteran over-60 overall); 204 Gareth Bagguley; 211 Colin Smith.

Senior/veteran women (6th team overall): 12 Rachel McCuaig (first veteran over-40 overall); 41 Angela Marsh; 44 Kate Else (third veteran 45 overall); 50 Ann Kitchen.

Under-17 men: 21 Daniel Barrie.

Under-15 boys: 18 Peter Barrie.

Under-13 girls: 11 Charlotte Peach.