CROSS COUNTRY: AFTER many cross country and general sports fixtures being cancelled due to the bad weather of the last few weeks all the St Albans athletes were delighted when they heard that the Chiltern League was going ahead. The venue at Shuttleworth

CROSS COUNTRY: AFTER many cross country and general sports fixtures being cancelled due to the bad weather of the last few weeks all the St Albans athletes were delighted when they heard that the Chiltern League was going ahead.

The venue at Shuttleworth in Biggleswade offered both a great racing course as well as lovely surroundings. The weather stayed reasonably dry and runners did not have to contend with the heavy rain forecasted.

The U11 teams had to compete over a 2km course which is longer than usual and the long drag which pinnacles in a steep short climb was particularly challenging for some of the team who can be as young as nine years old.

The boys team took third position in the mob match with outstanding running by Adam Wilmshurst (third), Ben Pattison (13th), Ricardo James (14th) and Adam Pritchard (18th).

In the girls' race Striders had outstanding races from Tabitha Weddell (seventh), Phoebe Wilkinson (ninth), Alice Bentley (11th) and Olivia Almond (14th) which secured them second position in the league.

After four fixtures the boys' team are in second place and the girls are in third behind Bracknell and Chiltern Harriers.

St Albans Athletes maintained this excellent form further up the age group categories with the U13s girls led by Victoria Pritchard of STAGS in fourth place.

The result maintains the team's excellent first place in the league after four fixtures closely followed by Stevenage.

It is very much a case of every runner counts when it comes to the final position and with one last fixture in a month's time on February 13, the Striders are keen to keep the momentum going.

The boys U13s had a new recruit Edward Anders who had a solid run on his first cross country race and again James Down had another good race to come home in fourth place.

The final league position in the girls U15s event is hanging on the last race with St Albans currently in second position behind Shaftesbury Barnet while the St Albans U15s boys team hold a commanding lead.

With one last fixture in Wing on Saturday, February 13, St Albans are aiming to get the whole team running as every runner counts.

The Striders are always welcoming new members for cross country and anybody who is interested should contact deborahsteer@ntlworld.com