Can the Sussex Schools teams match the performances of last weekend’s Sussex County teams when they line up for the English Schools' cross-country championships at Norwich on Saturday?
Last week at Loughborough the County teams did rather better, overall, than expected but they are not the same teams as the age groups are one year different.
Last year the schools had a disappointing year despite a splendid second team spot for the Junior (U15) boy’s age. Most of that team will be in action again this year but they will be running in their first year in the higher Intermediate (U17) age group.
Several top Sussex runners took a week off to concentrate on this weekend’s championships and it is likely that the teams will improve on last year. It is always difficult to anticipate results unless you have strong athletes at the top end of their age group but it could be that the junior girls could prove the strongest of the Sussex teams this weekend.
At Loughborough Bethany Cook won the U13 title but this week she must line up in the Junior (U15) event so she may not even be the first Sussex runner to finish. As County Schools champion this is still likely to be the case but Maya Ramnaraine, who was not that far adrift in the Sussex Schools championship could be dragged along in a large field and it must be remembered that she finished 46th last year when she was bottom of the age group while last weekend she finished 26th in the bottom of the age group.Almi Nerurkar had a good run in the National U17 event last weekend placing 22nd and she will be top of the Intermediate (U17) age group at Norwich and could be looking for a similar placing this weekend.
If there is success it is likely to come from the younger teams.
See who is representing Sussex at Norwich here .
HASTINGS HALF-MARATHON:
As usual North African runners are expected the head up the Hastings Half-marathon on Sunday as they have in recent years.
Last year Rhys Boorman (Hastings) was the first Sussex runner to place in the top three places for many years but can he do it again?
If you have any queries or want more information regarding this post, please Email Reg Hook.