ATHLETICS: Alex opens campaign in fine style
12:10pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in Latest News
COUNTY ace Alex Stainthorpe launched her winter season in style with a superb second place in the opening Gloucestershire Cross Country League race at the Cotswold Farm Park, Bourton.
In her first serious race since finishing her track season two months ago the 18-year-old from the village of Hartham, near Corsham, couldn’t hold Gloucestershire senior international Rachel Felton but looked assured to finish runner-up and first junior.
“Alex was very pleased with her second place after what a very hectic summer for her,” sad mum Sarah.
Since taking her A Levels at Sheldon School Stainthorpe has begun a 12-month internship with a management consultancy company in London before going to university in 2013 so has had to fit in her training around a completely new lifestyle.
“Alex has now found a training group to run with but is still working very closely with her coach Adrian Clover,” added Sarah.
Stainthorpe broke off a weekend back in Wiltshire to run the opening league race and her second place will give her a huge boost.
Also in action were the Howorth brothers from Hilperton, near Trowbridge.
Pride of place on Saturday went to Rory Howorth who won the U11 boys’ race in emphatic style, finishing seven seconds head of the field.
In the U13 boys’ race twin Robert and John, both students at St Augustine’s Catholic College, finished second and third respectively as Welsh raider Luke Davies of Brecon AC took the honours.
Gloucestershire Cross Country League, Cotswold Farm Park, Bourton – senior women: 1 Rachel Felton (S) 23:14; 2 Alex Stainthorpe (TBAC, U20) 24:42; 3 Jane Wassell (S, W45) 24:59; 4 Clara Evans (Here, U20) 25:14; 5 Rebecca Pierce (TBAC) 2523; 6 Fiona Cramp (Bitt RR, W35) 25:28.
U13 boys: 1 Luke Davies (Brecon) 9:50; 2 Robert Howorth (TBAC) 9:53; 3 John Howorth (TBAC) 10:03.
U11 boys: 1 Rory Howorth (TBAC) 5:05 2 Sam Gentry (NSAC) 5:12; 3 Thomas French (C ) 5:21.
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