Cross country: Harrier League promotion frenzy for NUAXC

The sun shining and the banter flowing, NUAXC headed to Druridge Bay for the second round of the Harrier League.

With some athletes already having fatigue in their legs from the previous days’ race in Durham, the team’s morale remained high.

First off was the U20 women. Stephy, the XC Captain, got off to a blistering start, remembering the infamous NUAXC slogan 'Start fast, maintain the pace and sprint finish'. Meanwhile, Laura opted for a more sensible strategy, strongly finishing within the pack. Stephy (21^st), Laura (26^th).

Next off were the senior women. The wind was starting to pick up, and the clouds began to cover the beating sun. Annie, Hannah and Izzy all started in the first pack being new to the Harrier League, and they were hoping to impress, and impressed we were. Izzy destroyed the competition coming in for 7^th, giving her the promotion into the medium pack for the next race. Hannah and Annie also had amazing races finishing towards the front of the first pack. Recently promoted, Emily started in the medium pack this week and strongly finished her best XC race of the season. Shona started the race strong from the fast pack, holding off much of the competition. After her previous performance of coming 2^nd in Durham, Shona was not phased finishing within the pack. Izzy (7^th), Hannah (19^th), Emily (47^th), Annie (60^th), Shona (85^th). The team also finished 3rd in the division and are looking for promotion this season.

The last race of the day, the Senior Men. New to the Harrier league was Sean Barry, aka BAZZA and Jamie , a fresher from the rival club Elswick. Sean already had the fatigue in his legs from the previous day's race, but this did not stop him. Jamie managed to get the legs turning and was hungry for promotion. Toby started from the fast pack and could not find the legs this week after his little training. This will teach him to get the miles in for the next race. Bazza was able to push himself into 4th place, and James got the promotion into the medium pack that he was looking for. Sean (4^th), Jamie (24^th), Toby (141^st).

Overall, NUAXC had a fantastic race at the Druridge Bay Harrier League and they can’t wait for the third round at Lambton Castle.