2012 News

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Double Medal Winner at Derbyshire Schools XC

February 4th 2012

Two Burton AC youngsters represented South Derbyshire in the Derbyshire schools XC Championships at St Mary's College, Sheffield at the weekend. With temperatures in excess of minus 6 degrees and the ground underfoot frozen solid Alec Stackhouse made his debut in the Year 7 event. Despite the treacherous conditions it was an easy stroll in the park for Stackhouse who led from start to finish and managed a large relaxed grin as he turned confortably into the final bend to take a convincing win.

Alex Benfield was the other runner who lined up with the seniors in the last race of the day, a 1 small lap and 3 large lap 5k course. With a few familiar competitors in the line up Benfield pulled away in a leading pack of four leaving the rest trailing as they completed the first small lap. Each of the leading pack tried to make a break with the lead changing hands on several occasions, but none were able to pull clear. As they approached the final 300 meters there was nothing to choose between the leading pack and anyone of the 4 could have claimed it. It was Dominic Chambers representing Derby West who was first to break with Benfield following close behind as the pace quickened with the finish line in sight. With 100m to go all four put in a final sprint with Chambers who had the slight advantage with Benfield claiming a commendable silver medal. Benfield now qualifies for the English Schools Finals in Somerset on March 17th

Tough Competition at Midlands XC Champs

January 29th 2012

The Midlands Cross Country Championships were held at the beautiful surroundings of Wollaton Park, Nottingham at the weekend. The race was one of 3 regional events taking place in England and the midlands regions draws competition from as far as Cornwall, hence the competition is of a high standard. Conditions were generally good with a few soft patches in places.

With some good performances this season Burton AC athletes knew that the race would be a good indicator to the levels of competition to expect at National and Inter-County championships later in the season. Alec Stackhouse achieved the highest Burton AC position of the day in the very first race finishing 10th equal in the Under 13’s Boys race. Stackhouse who has been steadily improving this season was unable to close the gap of the fast starters over the quick 3km course, but will be pleased with a fantastic performance.

Molly O’hanlon and Rhiannon Woolerton will take a lot of confidence from their performances in a large field of Under 13 girl runners. O’hanlon finishing in 94th place with Woolerton shrugging off stitch to cross the line in 124th place.

The 17 Men’s race saw an exceptionally fast start with the whole field sprinting off at the start of the 3 lap, 6k race. Alex Benfield and James Latham started very well and after the first lap were nicely positioned behind a small group of athletes who had broken away. As the race continued the fast pace took its toll on the Burton Athletes who lost ground in a very strong field of athletes. Benfield was a little disappointed in his 25th place despite it being his highest finish at Midland Championship level. Latham crossing the line less than 2 minutes later in 70th place.

Cory Parker ran in the 8km under 20 mens race on a course which took on a series of challenging and consecutive hill climbs. For the first time this season Parker lined up in a race only containing runners of his own age category and his 35th place finish justifying his selection in the Staffordshire county team.

The senior men’s race was a really challenging 4 lap 12k race containing some of the best athletes in the country in the field of over 400 runners. The race was won for the second year running by Great Britain regular James Walsh who made light work of the hills to finish in 36:36. Gordy Smith was Burton AC’s first finisher, less than 10 minutes behind the overall winner finishing in 134th place (45:19). Kevin Stackhouse was next in and enjoyed the course finishing in a sub 50 minute time to cross the line in 225th place. Marc Wrigley also ran well to finish just outside 50 minutes in 252nd place. Eamon O’Hanlon showed he is becoming a valuable members of the Burton team finishing in a time of 55:31 for 336th place. Rob Sharratt, Graham Dingley and Paul Smith all managed to break the hour mark finishing in 363rd, 372nd and 375th respectively. Paul Mathie 1:01:48, Matt Benfield 1:08:45 and Mark Woolerton 1:31:52 made up the remaining Burton AC collective.

North Mids XC Medal Haul

January 15th 2012

Following a successfull haul of medals at the county cross country championships Burton AC athletes headed to the final cross country match of the North Midlands League at Wollaton Park, Nottingham full of confidence. In cold and frosty conditions Burton's championship contenders did not disappoint.

In the Mens Under 17 category Alex Benfield required only a top 3 position to guarantee 2nd place in the league overall. At the halfway point of the 6k race Benfield moved up onto the shoulder of the race leader and Derbyhire's county champion Terah Hooley. With about 1000m of the race to go Benfield found another gear and opened up a comfortable lead to claim his first win in a North Midands league race. With an anxious wait for the final league scores to be calculated and despite a slight mix up Benfield was finally anounced as Joint winner of the 2011/12 North Midlands League wth Josh Coles of Kettering AC, a fantastic achievement with Benfield still having another year left in this category.

Alec Stackhouse was another runner in with an anxious afternoon, lying in joint 4th place overall and 2 points adrift of the medals Stackhouse needed a good performance and hope other results went his way in the Under 13's league. Stackhouse task was made even more improbable with a strong Leicester Coritanians contingent in the field. Buoyed on by his county team selection Stackhouse made light work of the challenging hills to finish 4th on the day and claim a joint 3rd place in the league. Stackhouse can look forward to more successes in the Under 13's league next season as most of his competitors move up to the Under 15's category.

Veteran Athlete Gordy Smith also came away with silverware, despite feeling a little under the weather Smith was hoping to maintain his 2nd place in the veterans league. With a larger than normal field of runners Smith had to work hard and completed the 6.6 miles course in 50th position overall. Despite no points on the day his previous performances earlier in the season were enough to claim a 3rd place in the league. In the same race and needing an exceptional performance to finish 3rd in the Under 20's Category, Cory Parker came up against a strong Notts AC line up. A good 4th place on the day (34th Overall) unfortunately was not good enough and he just missed out on league honours.

The Burton Veterans Mens team finsihed 5th on the day and 5th in the league overall, supported well by Steve Wilson (92nd), Kevn Stackhouse (103rd), Mark Wrigley (118th), Eamonn O'Hanlon (150th), Rob Sharratt (164th), Graham Dingley (174th), Paul Smith (180th), Paul Mathie (182nd) and Matt Benfield (198th).

In the Under 15's Boys Category William Monaghan got his first points of the season finishing a brilliant 4th place. Younger brother Alex finished 14th in the same race. The under 11's race saw 4 burton youngsters complete the 1 lap course with Miles O'hanlon 11th, Tom Benfield 19th, Brook Wilson 38th, Sophie Monaghan 43rd and David Scott 47th. The youngsters team finishing a creditable 2nd in the league overall.

There was also some season best performances for Mollie O'Hanlon (Under 13's Girls), Rhiannon Woolerton (Under 13's Girls), Karen O'Hanlon (Senior Women) and Bradley Sharratt (Under 13 Boys).

XC County Success

January 8th 2012

A good turnout of Burton AC athletes competed in the Cross Country County championships held at the weekend. The Staffordshire championships were held at Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich and Derbyshire championships were held jointly with Nottinghamshire at Wollaton Park. The fixtures are always fiercely competed as the top 3 finishers in each category guarantee selection in the county team to take part in the televised Inter-counties Championships at Cofton Park, Birmingham on 10th March. This attracts top athletes from around the region and athletes are required to run at the top of their abilities to ensure silverware.

The majority of Burton Athletes headed to the undulating and scenic Black Country course to try and claim a place in the staffordshire team. First race of the day was the Under 13's with Alec Stackhouse, Mollie O'hanlon and Rhi Woolerton all with another year in this category taking part. All had good runs but it was Stackhouse who made a big impact. As the race started the leading bunch of 4 or 5 runners sprinted off to a comfortable lead with Stackhouse positioning himself well in the chasing pack. Over the 2 lap course Stackhouse made steady progress to move through the field and found himself in 3rd place as they approached the final stages. Despite a brave effort to close on the leaders Stackhouse had to settle for Bronze and guarantee his place in the county team.

The next race of the day was the Under 15's and this saw the Monaghan brothers line up against top Stoke, Birchfield, Tipton and Tamworth Athletes. Elder brother William Monaghan will be impressed with his 4th place finish, in his first season at the club, which has seen him steadily improving, culminating in todays excellent race. Although not guranteed his performance should be good enough for county team selection. Younger brother Alex, who still has another year in this category was under 1 minute behind in 16th place.

The 6.5km race combined Mens Under 17's and Womens race saw Alex Benfield as the only Burton competitor in the Under 17's mens category. In a line-up which included recent U20's Womens European team gold medalist Kate Holt, saw Benfield set off in the leading pack over the 3 lap course. As the race progressed Benfield who still has another year in this category found himself at the front of the field with 3 of Stoke AC's top runners. Despite managing to move up to 2nd place on the final lap, Benfield had to settle for a creditable Bronze medal (19:24) and guarantee a county team place for the 4th year running. The ladies race was won unsupprisingly by Kate Holt (20:04) with local Burton athlete Abbey Norman grabbing a Bronze medal (21:07) and county team selection.

The 10km race combined the Mens Under 20's, Seniors and Veterans race. Cory Parker who made the under 17's county team last year, was Burton's best hope for silverware and was keen to make the grade in the step up to the Under 20's category. Despite finding himself in 4th place in the under 20 category early on his stamina in the later stages allowed him to regain 3rd place and take the Under 20's bronze prize (12th position overall). Parker becoming the 3rd Burton AC athlete, all who have stepped up in age categorythis year, guaranteeing county team selection. Franz Frison was next Burton AC athlete back in 53rd position closely followed by first veteran runner Kevin Stackhouse 57th. The veteran team was well supported by Steve Wilson (64th), Robert Sharratt (80th), Eamon O'Hanlon (82nd), Paul Smith (101st) and Paul Mathie (102nd) to take the Team Bronze medal in the Vets Mens Category. The first County team medal for many years.

Gordy Smith was the sole Burton AC competitor to opt to take part in the Derbyshire Championships and his decision was completely justified as he had a strong run to finish 3rd Veteran finisher to take Bronze (12th Finisher Overall).