Peterborough and Nene Valley Athletics Club
2015
Nene Valley Harriers distance runners showcased the clubs strength in depth, when finishing 2nd behind Huntingdon AC in Sunday's Frostbite League race at March.

Frostbite IV, March

11/01/2015
Nene Valley Harriers distance runners showcased the club's strength in depth, when finishing 2nd behind Huntingdon AC in Sunday's Frostbite League race at March. Despite missing several key runners the city based club delivered a fine performance to leave them in a strong position to retain the championship which they won last year. Huntingdon and Nene Valley are now tied at the top of the league with 2 races left in the 6 event series.

Paul Vernon representing triathlon club PACTRAC proved too hot to handle again with his 4th emphatic win of the series. He recorded an impressive time of 27:56 over the testing 5.2 mile mixed terrain course, and was a full 28 seconds ahead of runner up Dave Connell of Huntingdon AC, whilst Riverside Runner Chris Wright finished in 3rd place a further 27 seconds back.

The evergreen 49 year old postman, Sean Beard, maintained his fine recent run of form to lead the harriers home with a top 10 placing, and he was well supported by Mike Chapman in 15th position. Rob Prady and James McDonald finished 21st and 25th respectively, and in an event where points are scored by the first seven men and first 3 women home for each club, the men's scoring was completed by Lance Hemmings, Lee Harthill and Justin Hargate.

Nene Valley's ladies also showed well with Ruth Jones 8th woman home and 118th overall. Less than 24 hours earlier Jones had helped the club's ladies win the silver medal in this seasons North Midland's Cross Country league. Louise Blake and Laura Grimer provided valuable support completing the Nene Valley scoring team.

The first lady across the line was Caroline Woods. The Yaxley Runner secured 51st place overall in a creditable time of 33:10. Woods fought off the challenge of Bourne AC member Clare Steels who finished second, whilst Cambridge and Coleridge's Diana Chalmers placed third.

The honours in the junior race were taken by Riverside Runners William Forster who completed the 1.5 mile course in a time of 8:36. Luke Fenner of host club March AC was second just 4 seconds behind.

With many runners absent because of their involvement in The North Midlands League the previous day, Nene Valley Harriers finished a creditable 5th in the junior race with Megan Ellison providing the highlight finishing 8th overall despite having raced the day before. Codi Leigh Middleton, Freddi Huuse and Elli Piccaver also ran well.

The next races take place in Bourne Woods on 1 February, and Nene Valley will be hoping to consolidate their push for victory at both senior and junior levels.

Barry Warne