Twell and Vernon claim titles in Leeds

Twell and Vernon claim titles in Leeds
By Steven Mills, February 27th 2010

AFD’s Stephanie Twell and Andy Vernon take commanding victories at the Saucony English National Cross Country Championships

STEPHANIE TWELL overcame a strong domestic line-up to win the senior women's crown at the Saucony English Cross Country Championships in Leeds, February 27.

The world junior 1500m champion, who won the junior race last year, covered the 8km course in 27:52 to defeat Stevie Stockton by 15 seconds, while defending champion Hatti Dean continued her return to form in third.

Senior women’s results
1. Stephanie Twell (Aldershot Farnham & District) 27:52
2. Stevie Stockton (Vale Royal AC) 28:07
3. Hatti Dean (Hallamshire Harriers) 28:12
4. Faye Fullerton (Havering Mayesbrook) 28:21
5. Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley Harriers & AC) 28:31
6. Sonia Samuels (Sale Harriers) 28:31
7. Jessica Sparke (Woodford Green with Essex Ladies) 28:38
8. Emma Pallant (Aldershot Farnham & District) 28:43

ANDY VERNON improved on his third place finish from last year to take the win. The 24-year-old, who recently won the Aviva World Indoor Trials over 3000m, clocked 38:01 for the 12km to defeat Moumin Geele by nine seconds.

Last year’s runner-up Steve Vernon had to settle for third this year.

Senior men’s results
1. Andy Vernon (Aldershot Farnham & District) 38:01
2. Moumin Geele (Newham & Essex Beagles) 38:10
3. Steve Vernon (Stockport Harriers) 38:20
4. Neilson Hall (Bedford & County) 38:44
5. Peter Riley (Leigh Harriers) 38:49
6. Tom Russell (Bristol & West AC) 39:13
7. James Walsh (Leeds City AC) 39:16
8. Luke Gunn (Derby AC) 39:26

IN the absence of Charlotte Purdue, Exeter Harrier Joanne Harvey took victory from Kate Avery in one of the day’s closer races. Harvey clocked 22:06 to defeat the European cross-country bronze medallist by four seconds while the Southern champion Hannah Walker posted 22:14 for third.

Junior women’s results
1. Joanne Harvey (Exeter Harriers) 22:06
2. Kate Avery (Shildon Running) 22:10
3. Hannah Walker (Dacorum & Tring AC) 22:14

THE outcome of the men’s under-20 race matched the formbook as Nick Goolab defended his title to defeat James Wilkinson. Second and third in the junior race at the European Cross Country Championships, Goolab clocked 33:07 to Wilkinson’s 33:23 while Ben Norris comprised the podium in third.

Junior men’s results
1. Nick Goolab (Belgrave Harriers) 33:07
2. James Wilkinson (Leeds City AC) 33:23
3. Ben Norris (Notts AC) 33:29

EMELIA GORECKA continued her dominance in her age-group as the 16-year-old decimated the opposition in the under-17 race. The Aldershot Farnham & District competitor, who is unbeaten on this surface for three years, defeated club-mate Ruth Haynes, while Emily Wallbank finished third.

Under-17 women’s results
1. Emelia Gorecka (Aldershot Farnham & District) 17:52
2. Ruth Haynes (Aldershot Farnham & District) 18:22
3. Emily Wallbank (Bedford & County AC) 18:37

FIFTH in the junior race at the European Cross Country Championships, Richard Goodman was also a class apart within his age group. The 16-year-old took a gun-to-tape victory to defeat Thomas Curr by 34 seconds.

Under-17 men’s results
1. Richard Goodman (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) 19:21
2. Thomas Curr (Stroud & District AC) 19:55
3. Robbie Farnham-Rose (Tonbridge AC) 19:56

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