THE second round of the British Athletics Cross Challenge series saw the event again piggy-back on to the Chiltern League and witnessed 1767 runners compete over increasingly soggy laps.
Morning sunshine for the youngest age groups gave way to increasing cloud and then persistent rain for the start of the junior and senior events. The ground also cut up badly as the afternoon progressed.
The main senior races saw Mahamed Mahamed notch up a hat-trick of victories here, while women’s winner Kate Avery also retained her title from last year.
Men
IN boggy conditions a large group were content to amble around the first short lap and even into the first of the full laps there was still a group of over a dozen in contention before the pace began to lift.
Early on, Mahamed was content to be toward the rear of the leading pack which included Jack Gray and his Cambridge & Coleridge cross-country relay silver winning teammate Jonathon Escalante-Phillips. Sam Stabler, fastest on Mansfield’s opening leg the previous week, Tom Evans, Alex Teuten, Jack Millar, Liam Dee, and Bedford & County’s James McMurray were also in the mix.
National cross-country champion Adam Hickey, having his first run out since his 2:16:56 debut marathon in Berlin six weeks ago, was also there or thereabouts.
With the starting straight now well cut up, the leading group spread out across the course looking for a better surface as they ventured on to their second big lap.
Stabler, Gray, Millar, and Evans were marginally ahead of Mahamed before things began to break up, as the field passed the start point for the final time and headed out on the last circuit.
Mahamed began to push on with Gray at his shoulder and Evans a clear third. But they were all still looking for firmer ground across the width of the course.
Esta historia es de la edición November 14, 2019 de Athletics Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 14, 2019 de Athletics Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Carbon Footprint
You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.
Trail time
WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.
Stay neutral
EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.
Support network
WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.
Need for speed
THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.
Gadget show
WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.
What's in a shoe?
We bust some of the jargon around footwear
How To Prime Your Immunity
Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee
English Schools Survival At Stake
Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19
