'Everything just clicked' that was Claire Martin's description of one of her best ever races. Telford Athletic Club's leading womens athlete felt her run in the first UK Cross Challenge at Birmingham's Senneley's Park as one of the best races of her life. Claire, has most recently been in a purple patch of form, with outstanding performances in the Midland and National Road Relays and retaining her World Corporate Challenge Title in New York.

The undulating Senneley's Park course that is includes a controversial stream crossing, saw a large, quality field set off on the 6 kilometre course. Hayley Yelling, former European Champion and 5 times winner of this race quickly established a healthy lead that she held throughout to win her 6th title in 22.22. Scottish international Susan Partridge was second with GB international Jo Wilkinson 3rd. Last years UK Cross Challenge Champion Hatti Dean was 4th in 23.02, Telford's Claire Martin was in contact with Dean throughout the race and with just half a mile to go was within touching distance, but the gap widened to just 12 seconds over the fast downhill run in. With all athletes except Claire in the top 10 being current England or GB Internationals it is a performance that has put the Telford postie in the shop window for a future international selection. Her next race will be the European Championships Trial to be held in Liverpool at the end of the month.

The Midland Womens League race was held in conjunction with this race and Claire also had the distinction of being the first Midland runner home, hence winning the league race a title she won last year. Kim Green, also ran well finishing 20th in the race overall and 3rd in the Midland League in 23.55. whilst Telford's 3rd scorer was Louise Taylor 27th,24.28 in the UK Cross Challenge and 9th in the Midland Womens' League.

The full team positions were Cheralyn Evans 50th,28.38, Sarah Mackness 69th, 29.39, Denise Sanders 86th, 30.44, Kate Costello 89th, 30.51, Jane Hailey 109th, 32.49 out of 162 finishers.

That gave Telford AC the reigning Midland Womens League Champions a great start to defend their title winning the team race from some 24 teams, with just 13 points, as the mighty Birmingham University second, 21 pts, Loughborough Univ third, 27 pts and National Road Relay Champions Birchfield 4th, 39 pts.

Loughborough University won with 64, just 2 points ahead of Tipton with Birmingham Univ 3rd. Cheltenham were 4th with 270, Coventry 5th with 300 and Telford 6th with 321. Further Division 1 placings were 7th Severn 324, 8th Owls 380, 9th Stoke 436, 10th Halesowen 457, 11th Birmingham Rowheath 488, 12th Wolverhampton and Bilston 606 and 13th Rugby and Northampton 739.

Dan Lewis led the team home in 37th, 34.31, with Wayne Dashper 41st 34.48, Rob Hughes was 54th 35.18, Will Joyce 59th 35.26, Greg Wilson 61st 35.34 and Chris Bagshaw completing the scoring 6 to celebrate his birthday in 69th,35.59. Other TAC finishers were Ioan Ilie 85th in 36.37, Steve Needs 87th in 36.41, John Sanders 98th in 36.59, Rick Hailey 111th in 37.30, Nick Andrews 129th in 38.15, Jonathan Hockey 133rd in 38.39, Paul Williams 158th in 40.48 and Malcolm Dawes 167th in 41.39.

The next Birmingham Mens League is at Severn, Gloucestershire on Sat 2nd December with the womens league race taking place in conjunction with the Division 4 meeting at Droitwich.

Paul Sandersosn