Women
An early start and distinctly chilly day greeted us at RNAS Merrifield, but despite the heavy frost there was a healthy helping of mud on the two-lap course of 7.2K. The field was fairly small, but the competition was intense with seven county teams in the mix.
Amy Nichols took an early lead for the Bristol & West AC women’s A team, but as the first lap progressed, she was joined by Jessie Sanzo and later Annabel Granger. The trio ran closely together on the second lap, but in the final 400 meters, Annabel surged ahead, followed by Jessie and Amy. Annabel finished 9th overall and first in the W45 category with a time of 29:27. Jessie followed closely in 11th place, securing second W45 in 29:31, while Amy placed 12th overall and 4th in the U20 category with a time of 29:33.
Attention then shifted to Kat Entwistle, who is still in the early stages of recovery from a hip fracture and subsequent surgery last February. Kat started cautiously but gradually worked her way through the field, finishing just ahead of Katie Hughes (Westbury Harriers) in 23rd place with a time of 30:52. With four athletes needed to score for the team, Kat rounded out the squad, helping Bristol & West AC secure bronze medals behind the strong teams from Cornwall AC and Westbury Harriers.
For the B team, Caroline McAleese was the first to finish. Like Kat, Caroline adopted a conservative start and steadily moved up, finishing 30th overall (4th W45) with a time of 31:52. Emma Clark, who has also faced her share of injuries, delivered a strong performance, placing 36th in 32:20. Francesca Knapper also ran well, finishing 40th in 33:08, while Sarah Roderick completed the team effort, crossing the line in 52nd place with a time of 35:49. Although B teams do not officially count in the championship standings, the Bristol & West AC B team placed an impressive 6th, just behind the City of Plymouth team.
Men
MILLAR-MCGRATH DOUBLE ACT CONTINUES SOUTH WEST TITLE DOMINANCE
There are plenty of eye-catching statistics in sport, but few can rival the remarkable partnership of Jack Millar and Felix McGrath in dominating the South West Cross Country Championships over the past three years.
With yet another action replay, they once again gave the regional championship its now-classic gold and silver lining, controlling the outcome of the race from start to finish. The event was held, as in previous years, at the RNAS Merryfield base near Ilton. Jack’s victory marked his fourth consecutive title, while Felix secured his fourth silver medal in the event. Notably, his first silver came five years ago behind Devon international Jake Smith at Yeovil.
Two runners, however, do not make a team. Despite the late withdrawal of two of the club’s budding young stars—last year’s bronze medalist Max Davis and Flynn Jennings, both sidelined by injury—our evergreen captain Owain Jones and recent recruit, Bermudan Olympian Dage Minors, ensured the absences were hardly felt. They finished 4th and 7th respectively, with David Awde’s 22nd-place finish securing another comfortable team victory.
After dominating the 1300-strong field at Clevedon’s popular Boxing Day road race—where Felix turned the tables on Jack—it was clear the pair would again start among the favorites. The race, held in bitterly cold conditions, featured a course of long, flat stretches of barren, tufted grassland interspersed with short, muddy climbs.
Jack and Felix wasted no time stamping their authority on the race. Together, they established an early lead after a brisk opening kilometer in the two-lap, 7.5k race, distancing themselves from a chasing group primarily composed of Cornwall runners. Further back, Dage, Dave, and Owain—hampered by slower starts—were among a large pack just inside the top 20. As the runners entered the woods for the first time, Jack and Felix pulled ahead, looking unlikely to be challenged.
Jack opened a small gap on Felix on one of the short climbs, only for Felix to close it slightly towards the end of the opening lap. Behind them, Owain showed his enduring class, working his way through the pack to reach 4th place by halfway, with the possibility of a podium finish alongside his clubmates. Meanwhile, Dage looked strong and comfortable just outside the top ten, while Dave had to let the pair go, fighting to stay inside the top 20.
The second lap turned into a test of endurance for the two leaders, who extended their advantage. Jack finished in 23:11, opening a winning margin of just under 20 seconds over Felix (23:28). Felix, in turn, was nearly 30 seconds clear of bronze medalist Ed Mitchell of Cornwall (23:52). Owain (24:00) put in a determined effort to close in on Ed but finished some 40 meters behind, earning the V40 masters gold medal. Not far behind, Olympian Dage (24:11) used his middle-distance speed to deliver a storming final kilometer, breaking into the top ten and narrowly missing out on the top six by a single second. His 7th-place finish virtually guaranteed the team victory.
David (25:07), rediscovering his fine junior form, held his position in the top 20 to finish 23rd, completing the team’s winning total of 36 points, ahead of Cornwall (66) and Taunton (137).
Just under 30 seconds behind David, Lee Gawler (25:36)—who took a silver medal as part of the Avon team in the inter-county championship—led home the remaining squad. The rest packed closely:
40th: Dylan Rigby (25:50)
44th: Fraser Roach (26:05)
52nd: Alastair Matheson (26:13)
54th: Aled Anderson (26:14)
57th: Aaron Bruce (26:25)
This victory marked the club’s 16th consecutive team title since the championships were reformed in the 2007-08 season. The club has also celebrated 11 individual champions during this period, with Owain winning three titles and Jack now holding four.
“I’m naturally pleased we’ve done it again, especially as I don’t feel as race-fit as I was this time last year,” Jack commented. “All credit to Felix, who is going really well and made me work hard all the way. My focus now is to be at my peak for the defense of our national title at Parliament Hill, which is seven weeks away.”
Before that, the team faces a tough challenge in attempting to reclaim the Midland title at the end of the month. Team manager Mike Down urged as many members as possible to make themselves available, noting that several key runners—including Kurt, Flynn, Dage, and Owain—are unavailable.
“The club covers the entry fees, so if you haven’t yet confirmed your availability, please let Owain know as soon as possible,” Mike added.
Finally, the men’s and women’s senior teams expressed gratitude to the Hurfords for providing their tent as a base on Saturday.
Mike Down (Team Manager)
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