Sarah Simpson starred for Luton when she sewed up the winter’s individual title with a fourth consecutive victory in the under 15 girls race. This is a remarkable feet for Sarah as she is only in her first year in the age group and would have expected to find tough opposition from the girls a year older. But Simpson has been on commanding form all year and now adds the under 15 title to the under 13 she won last year. Sarah was backed up by fine runs from Michelle Keepence, 9^th, Kayleigh Watkins, 16^th and Hannah Wilson 32^nd to return the team 3^rd on the day, a tantalising 1 point behind the hosts, Windsor.

Not to be outdone by their female club mates the under 15 boys also achieved a highly creditable 3^rd team. Perry Howarth battled valiantly throughout the 4km race but had to give best at the end but still finished a good 3^rd. Nathaniel Quigley had a very strong race to finish 13^th, Tom Best, 20^th and Liam Marchant completed the scoring team in 25^th.

The most pleasing performance of the afternoon came in the women’s race where Claire McMahon finished her highest place ever in the league in 3^rd, having led the race for a period mid-way. Christine Lathwell ran well to finish 6^th and they were backed up by Dee Brockway, having an exceptional run to win the female 45’s category in 23^rd and Lorraine Hogan completed the scoring team in 30^th to bring them home a fine 4^th.

Despite only running 3 athletes when 4 can score the under 17 men made 4^th team on the day. Jamie Attwood has improved every race this season and his 11^th place augers well for a top 10 finish in the final event on February 14^th at Wing. Fine runs from the Drinwater brothers, James and Chris, in 14th and 17th, supported Jamie to their excellent team position.

Most improved run of the day came from Daniel Clorley who finished a highly creditable 5^th in the under 13 boys. Peter Bendickter finished 18^th.

Sabella Billingy had a fine run in the under 17 women’s race to finish 10^th. Maryanne Beever supported Sabella finishing 16^th in her debut in the league for the winter.

The men were missing some significant athletes, not least of which was Paul Farmer who currently suffering from a shin injury, which means he cannot defend the individual tile he won last year. In Farmers absence Gareth Suffling assumed the role of leading Senior finishing strongly in 13^th place. Evergreen Alan Daglish was second scorer in 48^th and 2^nd male 50, Stuart Still was a little lower than his previous efforts in the league with 51^st, John Stoker, making his winter’s debut in the Chiltern finished a surprising 53^rd. Keith McLellan, 68^th, Chris Green, 89^th, Roger Howell, 98^th, Paul Abrahams, 117^th, Reg Brett, 125^th and 2^nd male 60 on the day and Peter Benedickter, 126^th made up the scoring 10 in the men’s team. Dave Mawer finishing 157^th was 3^rd male 60 and he and Brett will almost certainly bring home medals from the winter, it is just a question of which colour.

In the under 13 girls event the Luton runners packed well to secure 6^th team. Claire Tucker led the girls in 27^th, Rosie Quigley was 38^th. Imogen Toyer and Rose Keane completed the scorers in 47^th and 49^th.

The first race of the day was the under 11’s where Luton had Sean Still and Grace Keane running. Sean came home a highly creditable 16^th, although he was disappointed with his performance and Grace 23^rd in the girls in her debut.

Chris Stebbings

Luton AC