Mud and glee at Peterlee

As we approach the end of another x-country season there was a lot to play for at Peterlee. But they don’t make it easy at that there Thornley.

There might not have been the cruel frost and rain that have greeted us in previous years, but the winds were gale force! Fifty miles an hour to be precise and on a course considered the most brutal by many.

It’s a perfectly hardcore x-country course, with all the mud and hills you could wish for, in thanks mainly to it being located on an actual farm. The route doesn’t offer much in the way of recovery. It’s relentless but so satisfying when it’s over!

Our gutsy junior duo were Luke Pichler and Daniel Scott. Luke still came in a fantastic fifth (6.05), despite a fall. Daniel is improving all the time with a performance to be proud of (7.08).

Over to the women and we were blessed with queens of the hills! Jess and Sam ate them up like it was no effort at all, working wonderfully off each other and coming in first (31.40) and second (31.49) counter (with just seconds between them). And our super Sarah blasted through from the fast pack to take third counter and fastest Wallsend female title in 30.25. Emily battled through to complete the first team.

Our Kam was back with a smile on her face. Zahra not so much, but despite not being a xc fan she came out fighting again. That’s taking one for the team! Thank-you Zahra. Christine always gives it her all and still had that famous sprint finish in her.

Team stalwart Julie W unfortunately had to drop out (a first for her and not a decision taken lightly).

Then it was the men’s turn. I didn’t envy them one bit, with an extra lap to conquer and a course churned up by all that went before them. Over 450 stampeded up the first steep hill with courage high and hearts aglow.

Jordan was in his element, zipping up and down the fields with ease. He catapulted from the fast pack straight into fifth place in an incredible 33.43. I definitely need to get with the yoga.

Tim Nicholson looked strong, coming in as second counter (38.40), followed by Chris Smith (36.51), captain Simon (37.52), Kev Wilson and Andy Graham.

Adam Hamilton, Dan Weatherill, Danny Hughes, James Torbett, Mick Skeldon and Ian Young were our next team.

Ian Gowing, Mick Lindsay, Mark Taylor and Rob Strettle all put in sterling performances.

Well done guys.

So with one more fixture to go, the women are in top spot in division three and destined for promotion. The men are fighting to stay in division one. So let’s have a massive team effort at Alnwick on Saturday March 2 and make sure both teams have something to celebrate! See you there with cakes a plenty 🙂

Full results here.

Emily