I finished 35th in this year's Midlands XC, sometime earlier Phil Nicholls won, Tom R. was 4th as the team finished second! Jane Potter won the women's race, and Kate G. finished 6th as the girls also won team silver.

It was a slippery course in my view, although after a sunny day had softened the frosty ground I think most people would say it was a good course. Anyway I made a slow start and after half a lap was still behind Mike Hager who had a storming race. I got going a bit, and was helped massively by tusselling with Gary Hope in the middle part of the race, but I couldn't keep up with him later in the race.

Towards the end of the race the 30s speeds up, and there were some talented athletes around, Rob Birchall was not far ahead and Richard Taylor just behind. I finally finished one place ahead of Steve M. I don't think I would have had the heart to sneak ahead except the group behind were catching up in the last woods section.

Tom 4, Rob 6, Phil W. 10, Craig 19, Jon 21 and Oli 25 won the team silver medals, 18 points behind Tipton and 1 point ahead of Notts.

Elsewhere Katie K. and Eleanor W. won the U20 and U17 championships in the same race! and Floren won U15.

...so all in all it might not have been my best performance, but I'm hoping I go forward from here rather than get another cold.