NATALIE Griffiths leads a strong Bristol & West AC senior women’s squad in the 2019 South West Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Aldon Hill, near Yeovil.
Twelve months ago Griffiths (pictured above) finished third behind Avon Valley Runners’ Ruth Barnes and Charlie Parnell of Torbay AC but the latter pair are not entered this year so that throws the race wide open.
Griffiths will certainly be seeking another big performance but lining up against here will be Taunton AC’s Kate Drew, who won the Tri-Counties title at Bath University before Christmas.
Former Tri-Counties champion and Griffiths Bristol & West clubmate Catie O’Donoghue, who finished 10th in this race last year, is also entered and with Katerina Entwhistle, Sarah Everitt. Ellen Harrison and Sorell Walsh also in support Bristol & West AC will be confident of retaining their club team title.
Likewise they will provide a strong core of runners for the Avon squad, which will also include Katie Hughes, Maria Hobbs, Sophie Voller and Kirstie Hamilton-James from Westbury Harriers as they defend their inter-counties team title with Devon and Wiltshire again expected to be strong.
For the men, Bristol & West boast a strong squad as they seek to defend their clubs’ team title.
Harry Allen and Miles Chandler lead the way and experienced former champion Owain Jones (pictured below) can always be counted upon to produce a big performance when it matters.
Also in the squad are Joe Ballard, Jack Millar, Josh Moody, Andy Watt and Andy Chambers plus veterans Tony Roper and Jon Goodland.
“I think both those squads will be pretty competitive,” said B&W team manager Chris Elson.
Like the women the B&W squad should also supply a hard core for the Avon team as they attempt to improve upon last year’s silver medals behind Devon in the county competition when only 11 points separated the top two.
Avon’s hopes will have been strengthened with the absence from the entry lists of defending champion Phil Norman of North Devon AC while runner-up Aaron Richmond and the in-form Jake Smith will also be missing.
TIMETABLE
11.30 Under 11 Boys 1580m (Not Championship Race)
11.30 Under 11 Girls 1580m (Not Championship Race)
12.00 Senior Men 8500m
(Including Under 20 Men and Masters – M40, M50, M60)
12.45 Under 13 Girls 3160m
13.00 Under 13 Boys 3160m
13.15 Under 15 Girls 3620m
13.35 Under 15 Boys 4080m
13.35 Under 17 Women 4080m
13.55 Under 17 Men 5280m
14.15 Senior Women 5280m
(Including Under 20 Women and Masters – W35, W45, W55)