BADAC seniors impress in cross country event

Boston and District AC staged the third of this season's Lincolnshire Cross Country League matches at the Castledyke Equestrian Centre at Antons Gowt on Sunday.
Local sport from the Boston Standard, Lincolnshire: bostonstandard.co.uk/sport, on Twitter @standardduncanLocal sport from the Boston Standard, Lincolnshire: bostonstandard.co.uk/sport, on Twitter @standardduncan
Local sport from the Boston Standard, Lincolnshire: bostonstandard.co.uk/sport, on Twitter @standardduncan

After heavy overnight rain the weather proved to be much better than the forecast suggested, with most races contested in predominantly dry overhead conditions.

The route proved to be a testing challenge for all age groups.

In the opening race on the programme for under 11 boys and girls over 1,420m, Jessica Frick ran into the finish in 14th position with Alex Frick just a short distance behind in 18th.

Both girls coped well with the underfoot conditions and finished strongly over the final 200m of their contest.

At under 13 boys’ level, Matthew Lewis claimed 22nd place at the end of a challenging 2,540m.

The combined junior, senior and veteran ladies’ race over three laps, amounting to 5,820m, afforded Emma Penson an opportunity to confirm her fitness and progress as she maintained good momentum throughout to record a good 29th place.

More than 80 runners lined up on the start line for the four-lap junior, senior and veteran men’s 10,160m challenge.

Two senior Gold Tops impressed with both looking increasingly strong over the second half of the race, Chris Cope entering the finish funnel 15th and James Roark well inside the first half of the field in 33rd position.

Ninety runners finished the annual Poppy Run, organised by Boston & District AC, in support of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Running over a revised road course in excess of five miles on Remembrance Sunday, Iain Bailey (Sleaford Striders) finished first in 28 mins 55secs.

Veteran 40 contestant David Allworthy (Lincoln Wellington) was second in 30 mins 57 secs

The first female finisher was Emily Foran (Sleaford Striders) in third place, clocking 32 mins 59 secs, ahead of Tony Johnson (Ropsley Runners), who was the first veteran 50 finishers in fourth place, recording 32 mins 59secs.

The host club’s Emma Penson was fourth vet 35 female finisher in 48th position in a time of 44 mins 25 secs.

The 26 Poppy Fun Run participants were led home by Josh Stanwell.

He was followed by Matthew Turner, Jessica Frick and Alex Frick at the end of the short run held ahead of the main road race.