AFD at the European Club Cross Country in Portugal!
- General News
The 2014 European Champion Clubs Cup Cross Country took place at Albufeira in Southern Portugal on the 2nd February. The weather was warm and sunny, a stark contrast to the English weather AFD had left behind.
The Senior Women’s race was ran over 6175m including a short loop and 3 long loops at the end of the short loop. A group of 8 had taken the lead, which included Steph Twell and Lily Partridge, with Georgie Bruinvels and Emily Wicks Amy Griffiths and Louise Small in a chasing group. With 1500m to go, Steph was 3rd and Lily 5th, Georgie and Amy inside the Top 20 and Emily just out side the top 20. While Louise due to injury and lack of form was struggling.
In the last 1000m a group of 4 Russians made a group move, which looked more like atrack cycling style move. The Russians pasted both Lily and Steph to secure the team prize. AFD runners finished with Steph in 7th, Lily 9th, a fast finishing Amy 20th, Georgie 24th, Emily 26th and Louise 42nd. Despite the impressive results AFD were 5th in tight competition, behind the teams from Russia, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.
The Men’s race as with the Women’s was very fast with Moroccan Olympian Mohamed Moustaoui running for Ales Cevennes of France winning from Ayed Lamdassem for Spain and Daniel De Silva of Holland. The AFD team were 8th with Tom Wade 30th, Ian Bailey 37th Jo Wade 41st, Adam Clarke 46th, Chris Rooke 70 the and Steven Connor 82nd.
