The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Nene Valley Harriers’ Nicky Morgan impressed on her England debut in the British and Irish Master’s Cross Country International at Glasgow on Saturday.
The 46-year-old North Midlands League veteran’s cross country champion finished sixth in the B international race, competing against a field of top veteran runners from across the home nations.
Morgan narrowly missed out on running in the A race, and was England’s first reserve, but her fine run – in which she covered the muddy 6km course in 24.21mins – is likely to keep her in the minds of the selectors for future fixtures.
After the race the Nene Valley ace said: “It was a great experience, and with hard work and determination I hope to be back, with the A team my goal.”
Another local athlete, Paul Halford, was selected to represent Wales in the fixture for the eighth year running.
Halford acquitted himself well, finishing 18th in the over-40’s race.
The 43-year-old was the second Welshman home covering the 8km course in 26.35mins.
- Several athletes from Nene Valley Harriers helped their schools to success in the ESAA English’ Schools Cross Country Cup at the weekend.
Sam Oakley had the race of his life in the East Midlands finals at Leeds, winning the junior race by a handsome margin.
Oakley’s victory inspired his school, Bourne Grammar, into a match winning performance, and qualification for the finals.
Matthew Dowling, of Spalding Grammar School, was 13th in the Intermediate boys’ race.
Flo Brill finished runner up in the junior girls’ race, also in Bourne Grammar School colours.
Deeping Schools Niamh Rushton was 38th.
Bourne Grammar School’s intermediate girls’ team also qualified for the national final, finishing runners up to Ilkley Grammar. Nene Valley’s Hana Ray helped them on their way with a sixth place finish.
Ray’s Nene Valley team-mate Hannah Knight came home 14th for Deepings School, too.
Kings School were represented in the East Central Section match, held at Oakley near Bedford.
The star performer for the Peterborough school was Nene Valley’s Katie Tasker, who placed sixth in the intermediate girls’ race.
