With temperatures of −3°C, falling snow and strong winds for the start of the 2009 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Cross Country Championships it was a case of how many layers to wear and what shoes would stand up to the frozen surface.
An excellent undulating course at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield challenged Stockport’s largest turnout for some years with solid performances including medals and Inter County places.
Michaela Stepto and Estelle McGuire battled through the Senior Ladies’ field to take 1st and 3rd medals in the V40 category and Michaela will go on to represent her county in the Inter Counties Championships at Wollaton Park on 7th March.
In the Senior Men’s Malcolm Johnson ran very well finishing 8th senior and also booking his ticket to Wollaton Park - slightly further down the field but running well as a team Kevan Garner, Kevin Beattie, Sean Whewell and Paul Stepto came away with team bronze medals.
Having to wait till after the Senior races Amber Whewell wearing at least 4 layers and looking very cold still ran a solid race finishing 4th Under-17 and will again represent Derbyshire at the Inter Counties in March where hopefully the temperature will be above freezing!
| Senior Men’s 9000m | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Malcolm Johnson | 31:50 | 8 Senior | Inter counties |
| 25 | Kevan Garner | 33.46 | 5 V40 | Bronze team |
| 26 | Kevin Beatie | 33.48 | 6 V40 | Bronze team |
| 49 | Sean Whewell | 37.12 | 16 V40 | Bronze team |
| 58 | Paul Stepto | 40.25 | 31 V40 | Bronze team |
| Senior Women’s | ||||
| 8 | Michaela Stepto | 34:47 | 1 V40 | Gold & Inter counties |
| 11 | Estelle McGuire | 35:41 | 3 V40 | Bronze |
| Under-17/20 Women’s 5000m | ||||
| 8 | Amber Whewell | 20:00 | 4 U17 | Inter counties |