JOK Chasing Sprint 2008

17th May 2008

Matt Crane and Sarah Rollins have picked up to top spots at this years JOK Chasing Sprint held in Bloom Wood, nr Reading.  

 

 

Bloom Wood was used for an FCC Middle Race back in 2005 and is a small, hilly area with a surprising amount of technical detail.  The JOK Chasing Sprint format is where competitors run two courses, the second of which will have starts determined by times in the first - and so first runner past the post wins (i.e. a prologue and a chase). 

 

 

This year's race sounded great.  SYO dominated the men's race while Grace Elson held strong in the women's to give SYO a chance at the podium.  

Neil Northrop gave Matt a run for his money in the first race beating him by just over 10 seconds while Grace Elson (Matt's fiancee) was top in the women's prologue only 2 seconds ahead of the eventual winner Sarah Rollins. 

The chase was a different kettle of fish...Matt managed to pass Neil on the chase and beat him into the finish by a mere 5 seconds, while Grace lost time on control 8, mid way round and Sarah managed to overtake her.  

So overall, SYO managed to get the top 6 places in the Mens and also on the podium in the women's - they are definietly becoming the team to beat this year!  

Tonight, the Harvester Relays takes place near Bradenham and starts at midnight tonight with 3 SYO teams in the startup... no guesses who might walk away with a victory - although there is a Sheffield University Team there also! 

Mens Open - Top 5

1 Crane, Matthew SYO 42:33

2 Northrop, Neil SYO 42:38

3 Baker, Rob SYO 45:36

4 Shepherd, David SYO 46:42

5 Barrable, Nick SYO 46:47

Womens Open - Top 5

1 Rollins, Sarah BAOC 41:53

2 Elson, Grace SYO 42:20

3 Elder, Rachael ShUOC 43:00

4 Fairfax, Kirsten CUOC 46:31

5 Buckley, Kim SYO 46:37