On Sunday 3rd December, the Brooks Devon County Cross Country Championships based at the Exeter Arena produced some great encounters.
Exmouth’s Ray Elston followed up his success in the Bicton Blister and continued his best ever year by winning the vet 65 category of the Championships. In doing so, he finally achieved his ambition of beating arch rival but good friend and fellow Harrier John Perratt, also vet 65, for the first time ever. The two men were locked in an epic battle, running together, then exchanging the lead until the tiny margin of just two seconds separated them at the finish line, after a race they will always remember.
Jo Kelsey, Tavistock AC, won the women’s race in 21.43. Exmouth’s Cathy Newman ran superbly for 2nd vet 40 and 4th overall in 23.46. Hannah Dupain was 3rd senior lady and 6th overall in 24.51.
Joe Pascoe was 6th in the U20 men’s event in 34.44. The race was won by Patrick Hambly, Torbay AC, in 29.59. The senior men’s race was won by Kevin Heywood of Bideford AAC in 29.01. Tony Hatchard was again in great form, the first Exmouth Harrier to finish, 6th senior man and 7th overall, in 32.02.
Rich Selby was 2nd vet 55 and 44th overall in 37.38 after another excellent run. Andrew Johnson was 12th vet 40 and 56th overall in 40.02. Ray Elston and John Perratt were 1st and 2nd vet 65, and 65th and 66th overall, in 42.15 and 42.17, respectively. Jim Wyatt was 5th vet 60 and 80th overall in 46.26. Les Turner was 7th vet 60 and 84th overall in 50.17.
Bideford AAC won the men’s team event, Tavistock AC were second and Torbay AC were third.
The vet men’s team event was won by Bideford AAC, with Tavistock AC second and South West Road Runners third. Exmouth Harriers came eighth.
Tavistock AC won the women’s team event. Torbay AC were second and Erme Valley Harriers came third. The vet women’s team event was won by Erme Valley Harriers.
(LT)
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