Harriers lead the way for Oxfordshire at Inter-Counties
Banbury Harriers led the way for Oxfordshire at Saturday's UK Inter-Counties cross-country event, staged at Loughborough's Prestwold Hall. Emily Thompson ran her most impressive national cross-country event to-date to finish as the first Oxfordshire and first Midlands runner in her high-quality Under-17 women's 5km race. She looked strong and composed after her winter training, showing real stamina on a muddy and demanding course. With a fast start, Thompson got to the first tight bend ahead of most of the 280-strong field and so avoided the inevitable bunching behind her. She held her position well throughout the long undulating course and gained further position in a fast finish, coming through the line in a time of 21mins 27secs to claim 23rd spot, her highest ever finish in the major national cross-country titles. Jenny Hannah also ran an impressive race in her first year as an Under-17 to make it a one-two for Harriers in the Oxfordshire team, taking 86th position in 22mins 40secs.
Alex Scrivener continued her excellent run of form to take 33rd position in the Under15 Girls 4km race, first in her Oxfordshire team, despite being in the lower year of this age group. Her impressive time of 16min 36secs demonstrated her quality and potential. Scrivener's Harriers team mate, Naomi Dibb, ran her first race in the colours of Oxfordshire, showing excellent determination in her run of 19mins 22 secs. Owen Knox added to Banbury Harriers' achievements with his run of 17mins 22secs to finish in 110th position in the Under 15 Boys race.
Other excellent performances by Banbury Harriers representing their county included Rosie Weston (Under20 Women) finishing 124th in a time of 27mins51secs over her 6km course, Skip Snelson (running for Northamptonshire) who ran a time of 17mins23secs to finish 112th and Jasper Bell, 266th in the Under 13 Boys, who completed the course in 14mins08 secs
