Veteran runners out in force for Guernsey’s toughest cross country
Guernsey’s toughest cross-country outing of the season proved a happy hunting ground for the island’s veteran contingent.
Out of the 20 senior men competing over the full 10km, 14 were over 35s.
While there was some familiarity in the first two home with James Priest one minute ahead of Michael Batiste, it was Matt Jamieson’s (V40) run for third ahead of Alan Rowe (V55) which stood out.
The course at Les Norgiots traverses farmer’s fields, some woodland and the treacherous muddy ‘trench’, with the misty rain creating a suitable atmosphere for the 69 who took part across the different categories.
It was a hard day out, made a little easier out at the backend of the course where the music and a few dancing spectators in Disco Corner greeted competitors running in different directions.
Thierry Le Cheminant (U17) led things out, but had been hauled in by both Priest and Batiste by the time he stopped after four laps to claim the U20 and U17 titles.
Returning Sarah Mercier took the women’s title nearly two minutes ahead of Nicole Petit with Caroline Barby third.
Lottie Smith was the leading U20 woman, while Kate Bain took the U17 win.
In the under-15s boys race it was Thomas Merrien out front, with Tahlia Godet wrapping up the U15 girls win.
In the U13s, James Stafford-Bell and Lara Viellard triumphed.
One runner also had special reason to celebrate.
Taking part in the three-lap Sportive, it was Rick Mann’s (V70) birthday, and also the first time he had run the Club Champs.
For more images, see our gallery here.
Results
Senior men
1 James Priest SENM 38.31
2 Michael Batiste SENM 39.35
3 Matthew Jamieson V40M 42.56
4 Alan Rowe V55M 43.29
5 Tom Nichols SENM 43.58
6 Graham Merfield V55M 44.08
7 Danny Fooks SENM 44.57
8 Ben Langlois SENM 45.04
9 Geoff Gibson V40M 45.21
10 Tom Shaw V35M 45.34
11 Ben Foote V35M 45.39
12 Ove Svejstrup V40M 45.53
13 Danny Blake V45M 46.10
14 Joe Le Page SENM 47.13
15 Michael Way V50M 47.43
16 Sean Galpin V55M 48.27
17 Jon Sexton V45M 49.47
18 Neil Papworth V40M 50.35
19 Nathan Ward V40M 50.51
20 Jamie O Connor V35M 51.00
U20m and women
1 Thierry Le Cheminant U17M 31.53
2 Jack Le Tissier U17M 34.34
3 Sarah Mercier SENF 35.01
4 Nicole Petit SENF 36.53
5 Caroline Barby SENF 41.01
6 Laura Quayle V40F 41.55
7 Caroline Creed V50F 42.19
Sportive
1 Darren Holden V35M 29.08
2 Steve Smith V50M 29.52
3 Paul Hewitt V45M 30.11
4 Louise Perrio V35F 30.36
5 Declan Gilman SENM 31.12
6 Paul Domaille V55M 31.23
7 James Woolrich SENM 31.27
8 Amy Critchlow V40F 31.36
9 Robert King V35M 31.43
10 David Woodhead V45M 32.52
11 Belinda Smith V50F 32.55
12 Emily Squire V45F 33.01
13 Gemma Le Sauvage V40F 33.23
14 Tony King V50M 34.35
15 Rob Grierson V35M 34.51
16 Lucy Le Cocq V35F 35.46
17 Alec Bain V50M 37.05
18 Alison Gavey V50F 37.30
19 Jeanne Svejstrup V45F 37.36
20 Louise Critchlow V35F 38.22
21 Tony Veillard V50M 38.47
22 Sam Sexton V45F 38.59
23 Greg Josey V50M 39.14
24 Pip Bain V45F 39.28
25 Zoe Ward V35F 39.58
26 Rick Mann V70M 43.36
U17s/U15s/U13s
1 Thierry Le Cheminant U17M 14.52
2 Thomas Merrien U15M 15.54
3 Jack Le Tissier U17M 16.16
4 James Stafford-Bell U13M 16.22
5 Nicolas Ackermann U17M 16.53
6 William Beasley U17M 17.12
7 James Kennedy U17M 17.24
8 Edward Robinson U13M 17.42
9 Jack Rees U15M 18.02
10 Lottie Smith U20F 19.07
11 Theo Le Tissier U13M 19.28
12 Talia Godet U15F 19.30
13 Lara Veillard U13F 20.06
14 Shay Le Poidevin U13M 20.11
15 Kate Bain U17F 20.43
16 Eleanor Jamieson U15F 21.25
17 Daniel Jamieson U13M 22.21
18 Christine Browning U15F 30.36
For anyone looking to run off their Christmas, the Boxing Day cross country takes place at 11am, see the club’s website for details.
