The Hare and Hounds running club continue their successful season with an admirably strong performance at British Universities Cross Country Championships (BUCS), held at the University of Gloucestershire.
Notwithstanding the gale-force winds and soggy course provided courtesy of Storm Imogen’s torrential rain, the men’s A squad, women’s team and men’s B squad all worked incredibly hard to perform their best for the club.
After much anticipation, all Haries supported the men’s A squad. The men’s team sprinted through the quagmire, comprising fine athletes Euan Gilham, Scott Stirling, Andy Lawler, Callum Symmons, James Dunn, and Logan Rees. The team managed an impressive ninth place out of 54 teams overall; Euan Gilham, Scott Stirling, and Andy Lawler all ran the 12k course in sub 33:15 minute times.
Considering the strength of runners in the field, the result was an incredibly impressive performance, and a testament to the hard work and continually gruelling training the Haries put in.
Having watched the men’s A team battle through the elements, the women were next to line up on the quickly disappearing start line. Having managed to survive the first highly congested corner, our women showed astonishing determination.
Such effort was rewarded in an incredibly strong showing, including a fourth-place finish. Steph Pennycook continued her successful season, finishing just one place behind athlete Jessica Judd, having completed the 6k course in an astounding time of 22:21. Following her in the women’s A team were Hannah Viner and Louise Mercer, finishing the course in 22:55 and 23:19 respectively.
All the women battled hard through the increasingly deteriorating racecourse, and all who ran could be incredibly proud of their efforts. Many old and new members had never faced such awful racing conditions on a disappointingly flat course, yet not one of them complained, and morale remained high.
Following the women’s race, the men’s B team prepared to enter the field. Haries chanted and cheered, and the men’s B team stormed the start line. Whilst running over the finish line, Captain Matthew Rallinson even raised the Scottish flag, emphasising the fine heritage of the Edinburgh Hare and Hounds.
The men managed an absolutely incredible 12th place out of 99 teams. Counters for the team were made up by Andrew Christy, in a rapid time of 25:59, Jacob Adkin (26:44), James Thomas (26:46), and Alistair Masson (26:49). All should be incredibly proud of their performance, regardless of their individual time.
The broad success at BUCS confirmed the Hare and Hounds club’s continuing performance strength Perhaps most importantly, it showed that high performing athletes and regular members continue to be able to feel welcomed and proud to be part of the Haries, whatever their ability.
Image courtesy of Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds