On Saturday 9 November four Team Kennet athletes travelled to Cardiff to compete in the first round of the UK Cross Challenge Series – a Gold Label event on the World Athletics Cross Country Tour and incorporating the European Trials at the next round.
First to race was Matilda Saunders in the Under 11 Girls event. Matilda ran hard from the start to stay in medal contention for two thirds of the race but couldn’t quite stay with the leaders in the closing stages eventually finishing 6th. Matilda remains in the same age group next year.
Harriet Saunders then took part in the Under 13 Girls event over a longer course. An extremely strong field had assembled for this race with athletes travelling from across the UK, including the National Record holder over the mile for this age group. Harriet fought hard throughout the race to finish a very respectable 13th.
Josh Bailey then raced the same course in the Under 13 Boys event, his first time in this age group. In one of the most exciting races of the day there was little to separate the top three as they sprinted to the finish but the high quality racing extended further down the field with Josh pacing his run well to finish in an excellent 19th place.
Last to race, over a yet longer distance, was Anna Hall in the Under 15 Girls event. In another very competitive race, Anna continued her impressive start to the cross country season by settling into the race well and producing a very strong second half to finish 27th. Anna remains in the same age group next year.
