JERSEY SPARTAN athletes skipped back across the Channel boasting three team silver medals at the 2024 Hampshire Cross-Country Championships.
Coach Chris Dorey hailed the results as “the best junior team cross-country performances in the past six years.”
Seven of the runners enjoyed top four finishes at a challenging course, at Fairthorne Manor near Botley.
Thea Thompson and Florence Williams were locked in a titanic battle with Guernsey’s Grace King in the U13 girls race over 3,300 metres.
King eventually finished in first place in a time of 13 minutes, just six seconds ahead of runner-up Thompson, while Williams was just nine seconds behind King in third.
Isla Hall also finished second in her U15 girls race in a time of 17mins 47secs, eight seconds behind the winner, Betsy North from Portsmouth.
Bradley Andrews-Callec came third in the U17 boys race, with talented triathlete Luke Holmes finishing just behind him in fourth. Both also took team silver along with Rory Baines.
Matt Geddes, now at Bath University, slipped on his Spartan’s vest and finished third in the U20 men’s race, while Ewan Pilley, Sam Oldham, Jake Le Boutillier and Danny Wood combined to give their club a silver in the U15 boys’ team race, as did Teddy Wilson, Finn McGrath, David Lundie-Smith and Myles Christopher in the U13 boys’ team competition.
“I was surprised at some of the under-15 runners, especially Ewan Pilley, who is new to the training group, and Sam Oldham,” said Dorey.
“A big shoutout for Isla Hall and Bradley who both went over and above expectations in super competitive age groups, and it was exciting to see Luke Holmes out there pushing his limits as a GB triathlete.
“Overall, the Island should be proud we have some talent coming through the age groups. Thanks to Jersey Sport too for the travel grants, which make a big difference to the cost of trips in financially demanding times.”
Jersey Spartans play host to event three of the Junior Advisa Cross Country Series this Saturday at Beauport.
The event is free to enter and can be accessed via https://jsac.myclubhouse.co.uk/
Dorey added: “The events are really popular with our juniors and we would love to see more students from Grainville, Haute Vallee and Les Quennevais taking part.
