2007 NSW Cross County Championships – Nowra

2007 NSW Cross County Championships – Nowra
Saturday 23rd June 2007

On a beautiful sunny winter Saturday in June, a contingent from Athletics East made the trip down the south coast for the 2007 NSW Cross Country Championships held at the imfamous course at Nowra.

The club representation started off with Paul McGuire in the one lap, 4km fun run and an international guest appearance for the club from a family member, Morag Macniven. Both ran the challenging terrain steadily to come home strongly in times of 18.54 (Paul) and 17:56 (Morag, also placing as 1st female).

In the Female 8km Event, Gillian Sohun, Cindy Duckworth and Rona Macniven faced two laps of the course. Cindy, unfortunately, had to pull out due to injury but completed a threshhold level first lap nevertheless. Rona crossed the finishing line in a time of 34.36, to be placed 10th in the Open category, and Gillian came through in 5th position in 35-39yrs category in a time of 36.05, a substantial improvement from a previous year time.

In the Male 12k Event, David McNally, Matt Hammond and Peter Trewin rose to the call of the 3 lap race, in increasingly muddy conditions underfoot. Matt fought to the finish in a time of 44.41 to come 17th in the Open category, followed by David McAnally in 46.20 - 9th in the 35 - 39 yrs category - with Peter Trewin hot on his tail in a time of 46.25, placing 22nd in the Open category.

Overall, a great time was had by all, with performances to be proud of despite the tough course conditions.

Thanks are due to the following people:
- Jim for organising a comfortable log cabin as the team base, along with a seemingly neverending supply of 'cross country' cake and jelly beans.
- Morag and Paul Duckworth for the meticulous timing and recording of athletes' lap splits
- Paul McGuire for professional level photography services, following his 4km fun run stint
- and Peter Good for overall organisation, direction and support throughout the day.