Bourton Roadrunners in good shape at start of the cross-country season (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Bourton Roadrunners in good shape at start of the cross-country season

LAST Saturday afternoon heralded the start of the cross-country season when several Bourton Roadrunners' squads enjoyed fine starts.

They scooped another haul of medals at the Gloucester cross-country relays championship run on a fast, flat course at Plock Court in Gloucester.

Conditions were windy but dry, bright sunshine making for a warm afternoon of racing.

Bourton RR team manager for the event, Norman Lane, assembled six teams for the big day with superb results for the club.

The senior ladies included 14-year-old Stephanie Lane and Brittany Teague, 12, together with Alison Lane and Kate Hall - a blend which stormed to a fully deserved silver medal performance.

The vet 35 ladies, with Alison and Kate doubling their races, were joined by Lyn Spedding and Pauline Teague.

This combination, well loosened up, went a stage further to won the gold.

The senior men of Dennis Walmsley, Ivor Davies, Tony Goodwill and Rob Edwards finished fifth overall and fourth county team in a very competitive race won by Bristol & West A/C. In fact, Davies, who is only 16 years old, was the fastest under 17-year-old on the day.

In the vet 40 category, Rob Edwards, Tony Goodwill, Steve Humphries and Dennis Walmsley romped to victory in style with comparative youngsters at relays.

Goodwill and Humphries, both won their first county medals as well as a very nice to start with a gold apiece.

The vet 50 team of John Raper, Robin McDonald and Norman Lane took bronze in their category while Norm had the satisfaction of leading the vet 60 team with Dennis Abbotts and Les Davies to a championship gold.

They also had the added bonus of winning the vet 60 open race and a nice bottle of wine each, obviously to give away to supporters!

All in all, it was a splendid day's work for all involved with Bourton Roadrunners.