Result – Essex Cross Country 10k Series, Danbury

12 June 2017 - By Scott Darney

The Essex Cross Country 10k Series continued this Saturday with over 200 runners tackling the beautiful scenery through Danbury Country Park. Whilst the 3-lap course did not contain any hills of significant size, it was hard to find any momentum because of constant change in direction and elevation. Fortunately the trees provided some shade and gave some protection from the sun but this was a hard course and the first 2 laps were a battle to find any rhythm and optimum/comfortable speed. The 3rd lap felt a little easier having now memorised the course and knowing that you were closer to the finish than to the start!

First to finish for Witham and with a top 10 overall finish was Scott Darney (39:27). Next up was Terry Alabaster (46:53) and Gerry Greenwold (49:55) who will be pleased with their times in the conditions – both accomplishing a sub 50 minute finish. James Kennerley (53:23) put in a good training run in preparation for WRC’s venture West for the Trail Marathon Wales event next Saturday. Ross Silverton (1:00:06) and Victoria Levine (1:01:59) crossed the line just over the hour mark.

There were some conversations on the finish line about the distance coming up short. Most of us (and most of strava it seemed) clocked the distance at around 5.6 miles which is over 1/2 mile short of 10k. The event organiser however advised that his run around the course with the measuring wheel put the course at around 90 yards short of 10k. The confusion did not detract from what was a nice run through a lovely part of the county on a nice and sunny day!

Full Results and times:
7th Scott Darney (39:27)
58th Terry Alabaster (46:53)
83rd Gerry Greenwold (49:55)
121st James Kennerley (53:23)
175th Ross Silverton (1:00:06)
185th Victoria Levine (1:01:59)