Sunday 18th July ERSA Summer League Race Report

A very early start for most Norfolk Racers off to Tallington (near Peterborough) for 8am saw many arriving early to set up camp and get the stoves alight (although allegedly some are believed to have arrived the night before!). The smell of bacon very evident as 100+ racers prepared for another round of the Eastern Region Summer Series. As Norfolk battled once again against Welwyn, Hemel, Brentwood Park, Ipswich, Bassingborn and MK.  ERSA's organisational skills yet again made for a super smooth event, and a true credit to the region which we often take for granted.

As the temperature rose (just) practice was completed by 9am and 'Masters 3 category' forerunners got the extra practice they need to provide the valuable feedback on the course before we all took to the slope for inspection and to see what lay in store today.  First run for the Girls and a quick time from Norfolk's Alex King as Sophie Skipper failed to complete her first run. The pressure was on in JN1 category now as Sophie had to complete her last two runs of three to get a finishing position to head off Caroline Powell of Brentwood Park, and Alex.

Meanwhile Boys and Girls Category saw some excellent runs from Norfolks Oliver Barkway, sending him into the lead early on. Elsewhere CH2 Boys and JN1 Boys, and JN2 Men categories saw Norfolk's Thomas Richardson and Patrick Mercer and Toby Hughes put in some leading times.

Seniors and Masters Categories are always hotly contested affairs with Norfolk again, despite a number of DNF's, finally coming home ahead of the pack.

Needless to say, Sophie pulled out two fastest Girls and Ladies times overall and swept to first place, along with many other Norfolk Racers bringing home a healthy haul of medals, 9 Gold, 8 Silver and 6 Bronze, before we even started the Team races.

Results are attached courtesy of ersa and more photos can be found here.