Peco XC Glory

It was time for celebration in the Wharfedale Harriers camp at the final PECO cross country race of the 2017 – 2018 season. For the third season in a row athletes of all ages have enjoyed individual and team success, with the men’s team taking the prestigious Premier Division title.

The Wharfedale men’s team stormed to initial success in the series by winning the first race. They continued to field a strong team and had an outstanding series, winning all the races.  Consequently, they took the Premier Division title in fine style.  The win is all the more impressive as 3 years ago they were languishing in the Second Division.  2 years ago they took the Second Division title and gained promotion.  Last season, they repeated their success to take the First Division title and gain promotion to the Premier Division.

In addition, the Wharfedale men’s veterans team also won the premier division showing some real class throughout all ages in their ranks.

On an individual level, Jack Smith won the senior men’s title, finishing in the top 10 for all 5 races, with Ali Burns as runner up.   Nick Charlesworth repeated his success of the 2016 – 2017 season to take the 2017-2018 men’s vet 50 title.

The ladies team, who were promoted from the 2nd division at the end of the 2016 – 2017 season, were 2nd in the ladies 1st division and so win promotion to the premier division next year.  Meanwhile the lady vets were a very respectable 3rd in the 1st division which is an impressive showing given that their ranks were depleted for much of the season.

The junior leagues are grouped by school years.  In the junior ranks, one of the club’s youngest runners – Hugo Bishop – finished 3rd in the year 2-4 league with 5 top 10 finishes.   Alex Thompson continued his success of last season to again win the year 7-9 league title, with 3 wins, a 2nd and a 4th position across the series.  His brother Will improved his performance of 2nd place last year to be joint winner of the year 10-12 league with club mate Jack Muir.  Will had 2 wins, a 2nd and two 3rds. Jack scored one win, and three 2nd places to draw.