The Midlands Cross-Country Championships 2008

Saturday, 26^th January 2008 will go down as a red letter day for the club, after Joe Dalgleish ran home as individual Midlands Champion, leading the U17 A team to gold, followed closely by the B team in 3rd overall place!

Photos and story of the U17 team below; see page 2 for photos of the other teams and competitors

	Having previously won bronze in the under 13 Midlands Cross-Country Championships, and silver in the under 15 category, Joe Dalgleish completed his set of medals with a fine win at Leamington on Saturday. Running with the leaders from the gun, Joe always looked relaxed and confident, content to sit in for the first half of the 4 mile race. As the leaders approached the narrow wooded section, Joe put in a hard, sustained pace, splitting the group, and earning a 5 yard gap. The winding, muddy wood and a clear run now gave Joe the opportunity to build on his lead, and by the time the runners emerged into the far field, his win was assured.
Behind him, his Westbury Harriers club colleagues were also have a good time, with Rob Galt narrowly missing out on the silver medal in a close run-in with Rowheath's Paul Thompson.
	With Avon schools' cross-country champion Gregg Halliwell in 10th place, and Matt Parker just behind in 12th, the club swept confidently to the team title.
Such was the strength in depth, indeed, that the B team finished third (just ahead of the A teams from Birchfield, Nottingham and Tipton) - a tremendous feat in this high quality event. Unfortunately, championship rules are that 'B' teams cannot claim medals, so some very fit young men left empty handed. Matt Peters, in 16th place, was especially unlucky to miss out on a medal.
	Dan Studley, who claims to far prefer running over the road to the country, nevertheless posted an impressive 27th place, while Tom Wintle followed up in 49th.
	800m specialists Steve Nash (57th) and Ian Goldsmith (80th) also enjoyed their trip to the country.
As individual champion, Joe Dalgleish took possession of this impressively historic trophy.
Unfortunately, last year's team champions hadn't returned their trophy, so it was lucky that Joe could contribute some silverware to liven up the team photographs!