Women’s Race:

It was a great day for K&D’s women as they stormed to their first ever team medal at county level. K&D’s women’s previous best was a 7th place in 2015 but it is testament to their development and team work that they take home a superb Bronze.

Led, literally and metaphorically by K&D legend Jane Evans our women stormed through the field. Jane finished an excellent 3rd overall taking individual bronze at county level (21:17) and with it the opportunity, should she wish, to compete at the Intercounties XC Champs against the best in the country for Warwickshire.

Behind Jane it was K&D revelation Rachel Gifford who continues her rapid progress to finish 10th (22:37). Flick Sharp, keen to join in the fun, continued her superb form over the last 6 months to round out the team score with an excellent 15th place (23:48).

While our ladies were pipped for first and second by Nuneaton and Birchfield Harriers there were only 10 points in it (1st 18pts, 3rd 28pts).

A look at the results show a quite astonishing strength in depth. K&D put 6 women in the Top 25.

Coming back from New Zealand Rosie Marsh provided excellent cover for the top-3 K&D women in case of mishap. She herself finished 19th (24:38) overall with Mary Heald next over the line in 20th with a smile and a wave (24:42).

Jess Woolley, continued her progress with 24th (25:33), Rachel Aston (31:30) and Amy Larsson (33:53) rounded out the K&D team. With a week until the next women’s XC fixture (Droitwich, 12th Jan, Speak to Rosie to join the party) – K&D’s women’s team, currently sitting 1st in their Division and now county medallists are looking good for more positive vibes, great running and team development. That snowball is picking up pace for the K&D women…

Congratulations, we hope the County Bronze now sits in pride of place on your fireplaces.

Men’s Race:

K&D’s men put out a strong side to compete across their 10k course. With focus on promotion our men kept a number of show ponies in the stable but still sent a strong pack to compete.

Nick Woolley took the lead in 28th (37:16), followed by Mr. Glass aka Simon Bentley rolling back the years to finish 21st in the Masters race. Big Dave Carbutt had a stormer running 38:14 while Rich Dixon (38:31) and Tim Price (38:36) finished 28th and 29th in the Masters race. Men’s Captain Torsten Roesler clocked 38:56 for 31st in the Masters. Darren John, still on the mend had a tough second lap but was good enough for 48th. Masters’ Max Gimson clocked 84th in the over-35’s while Phil Wood continued to improve with 104th in the Masters race.

The men finished 6th overall in the Masters event. A more than respectable outcome with the team focused on next week’s league race.

Special mention to Joe Read, currently on loan at Birmingham Uni who, having missed this race last yr due to a stress fracture finished 9th under his Uni colours.

League races on 12th are nice and local in Droitwich (Women) and Leamington (Men). To get involved in K&D’s super season so far speak to your team captain or any of the Run Leaders or Committee and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Congratulations again to K&D’s podium placing team. A superb achievement.