Cousins takes silver in Master’s Cross-country Championships

Defending last year’s title, Cousins put in a brilliant performance to win a silver medal in the Men’s V50 five mile race, clocking 31:52 just a week after taking victory in the Clair parkrun.

The recent rain made the course boggy and slippery with many athletes ending up on the ground.

The tough conditions underfoot did not put off the Harriers who had a good turnout of 12 runners across the age groups, with Cousins the star of the show.

The Men’s V50 team also including Phil Scott (38:55), Tim Hicks (39:05), Graham Kenwood (46:52) also finished a very credible seventh against strong competition.

Rounding off a good day for the men in this race was Rupert Purchase who was 22nd in the V60 age group with his time of 46:32.

In the V40 men’s race over six miles, Barry Tullett was first of the Harriers home in 28th in 46:27. Mike Essex (57:52) and Steve Horn (63:31) also showed well.

Michelle Pearce was the first Harrier and 12th in her V35 age group in the ladies’ race over four miles with her time of 33:40. Linda Tullett was 22nd in the V45 age group (40:24), and Marion Hemsworth (14th - 39:06) and Irene Parsley (17th - 49:54) running well in the V55 age group.