Press Reports

Hadleigh Hares January 27 x-country race report

SOME steep slopes and a strong wind awaited the Hadleigh Hares squad at the 53-12 cross-country league fixture at Landseer Park in Ipswich on January 27.

The mixed park and woodland course was still soft underfoot after recent rain and host club Ipswich Jaffa made good use of Landseer’s short, sharp inclines to give legs and lungs a test.

Hadleigh’s junior section is growing rapidly under the guidance of head coach Clive Pinnion and 10 youngsters made the journey to Ipswich to race the one and a quarter mile, single lap course. There were strong performances from Hannah Farley, finishing 20th overall and 2nd U16 girl, Toby Rankin, 8th overall and 3rd U13 boy and James Sanders, 7th overall and 5th U16 boy. Other junior finishers in a sizeable field of 93 runners included Joshua Starling 33rd, Thomas Jay 50th, Jasmine Hayward 58th, Bridget Dowling competing in her first race for Hadleigh 70th, Nathan Dickson 75th, Juliet Farley 79th and Cameron Abdly 87th.

The 11-strong senior squad put in a solid performance over a five mile, two lap course, with triathlete Karl Purdy in 37rd overall leading the Hare’s men’s squad home, followed by Paul Morgan 52nd, Adam Johnson 55th, Nick Rush 58th, Steve Hunt 75th, Giles Abrey 88th and Dave Ingleby 98th.

Tracey Crawley consolidated her return to form after a long injury lay-off, finishing in 43rd place in the ladies’ race, followed by Marianne Aitkin 48th and Teresa Rush 57th.

The Hadleigh Hares cross-country squad travels to Hylands Park, Chelmsford on February 10 for the penultimate race of the 2007/08 53-12 league fixture list.