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| Campbell Busch - photo Mark Speakman |
Two highlights of this years edition of the North Island Cross Country Champs were Eric Speakman's bronze medal in the M19 race and ex-member Stefan Smith's gutsy bronze in the Senior Men's race.
Despite sticking with eventual winner, Aaron Pulford, in the early running, Eric found the pace too hot over the second lap and faded to third. He was not too disappointed with his run noting that he is in base phase for next year's track season, but also admitted he has a lot to do if he wants to beat Pulford at the upcoming National Cross Country Champs.
Stefan's run was an inspiring run which showed true grit and determination, which reaped the reward of a bronze medal. Running with the front runners early on, Stefan dropped off the pace over the third lap, but through hard work managed to stay in touch with the leaders. When the heat went on, and the front three seperated, Stefan was still hanging on and with a determined final km managed to grab the bronze medal in a 250m sprint for the line.
All in all it was a good days racing with a number of 'close but not quite' results for the club, with a fourth for Toa Elphick-Iaveta and fifths for Shamus and Bradley Christison.
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