Inter Counties 2001

Reebok UK Inter -Counties

Cross Country Championships

And

World Trials

Wollaton Park, Nottingham 10^th February 2001

 The Reebok Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships, incorporating the World  Trials and the Final round of the Reebok Cross Challenge Series, took place in increasingly wintry conditions in Nottingham’s Wollaton Park on Saturday.

 

Senior Men 12km

 Since his arrival on the Island Tony Okell has set a very high standard of performance, which is making our entire senior athletes train very hard to compete.  Having ran in the Inter counties for Greater Manchester and Cheshire, Tony put on the famous red and white vest of Lancashire for the first time thinking his chances of a medal were slim.

But showing great strength and determination Tony finished 72^nd in 41.52 and grabbed a well-deserved team bronze medal.

 

Under 20 Men 8,000m

Running for the first time in the under 20 men age group John Haligan showed why he is the best prospect for international selection amongst Islands athletes. He ran comfortably round the 8,000 metre course to record the highest placed Manx finish on the day 34th in 28.00. With two more years still to run in this age group I predict John will gain selection to Great Britain team.

Team result :- 5^th

 

UNDER 15 Boys 4,500m

Keith Gerrard has been the surprise package on the local athletic scene, won a few local Cross Country races since the start of the season and then gains selection to Lancashire team for the inter counties, He loved every minute of being on the big stage with hundreds of other athletes, and he would like more of the same, After coming home 154 in a time of 17.18. I think he will if given the right help and encouragement.

Team result :-  13th

 

Under 17 Men 6,000 m

Last event of the day, conditions on the course as you can imagine after 10 events and heavy rain was awful. But making his debut for Lancashire and in his first race at this level Matthew Phillips ran very strongly to finish 173 in 24 .58, his southside team mate and the more experienced athlete Thomas Davies struggled still plagued by a virous since the start of the year.  Tony Okell must be praised at this point as he gave up the chance of collecting his bronze medal on the podium and TV to nurse Thomas round the course as Lancashire needed Thomas to run as they were two athlete’s short in the team event. Thomas finished 227 in 26.22 and the team 20^th.

 

173     Matthew Phillips     24.58

227     Thomas Davies        26.22

(First year in this age group for both athletes)