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This year's national cross country race took place on the 13th March at the Civil Service Sports Ground, Elmdon Birmingham. The race started at 1400hrs and the conditions were ideal for the event; soft underfoot with a good strong cold wind.

The race got off to a very fast start with the eventual winner Mark Sherriff (Swinfen Hall) soon taking up the lead and a place he held to the finish. Second place went to Emerson Combstock (Onley), followed by Rick Wallace (Garth) and Greg Callahan (Liverpool) in 4th place.

The first VET O/40 was Paul Davoile (Wandsworth) in 7th place but was pipped to the post by the first VET O/45 Dave Black (Swinfen Hall) in 6th place; the first VET O/50 was Chris Hotchkiss (Hewell Grange) taking 24th place.

The Ladies Race was won by Kim Elliott (Birmingham) who finished 12th overall and a very good result over her male competitors. The second lady home was Gillian Glenn (Buckley Hall) with Nicola Avins (Gartree) taking third place. The first VET lady home was Diane Beaumont (Doncaster).

Team places were:

This was a very good event enjoyed by all, including the spectators as it was a three-course lap and most of the race could be viewed from the finishing line. Well done to all the runners and we hope to see you at any future events.

4th European International Inter-Prison Service Cross Country Championships 2000

On Tuesday the 3rd November the England & Wales Prison Service Cross Country team set off to compete in this event.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service agreed to host the event and to take hold of the mantle following a slight hiccup with the Southern Ireland Prison Service who were due to host the event. The competitors were accommodated at the Northern Ireland Prison Service College, at Millside, Co. Down.

The team met at the airport and took a bus to their lodgings; a race briefing took place at the PSC Millside on the evening, followed by the team managers meeting.

The following day started with a light breakfast, after which the teams were transported to Stormont Castle Park. There were nine countries competing and all teams formed up behind their national flags for an official photograph. The teams then marched from the Edward Carson Memorial at Stormont down the Prince of Wales Avenue following the Northern Ireland Prison Service Pipe Band.

The race started at 1130hrs, it was a 3-lap course of approx. 3k each lap with the female competitors doing 2 laps. All runners started together, conditions were perfect, wet and muddy underfoot but warm with sunshine.

The race set off at a very fast pace with all the front runners in touch until the second lap when the class started to show and the Italian runners took the front, only losing it for a short time to a local runner. At the start of the third lap, Lundi (Italy) made his move to break away and did so with ease, taking Carpentino (Italy) with him, the position they held to the finish. Lundi finishing first, 35 seconds ahead of Carpentino and the local runner finishing third.

Our team ran very well with Mark Sherriff (Swinfen Hall) first home in 13th place in 30 minutes 20 seconds. Our next two runners home were Greg Callaghan (Liverpool) and Rick Wallace (Garth) fighting for 18th place, with Emerson Combstock (Onley) coming in as our fourth runner.

The whole team did the Service proud. The team consisted of the following:

The team finished in 4th place yet again, for the third year, with Italy 1st, Portugal 2nd, Spain 3rd, Scotland 6th, Eire 7th, Northern Ireland 8th, Holland 9th and then Sweden.

The female race was also won by Italy with Scotland 2nd and Eire 3rd. We did not have a female team.

The Vet's race was won by Northern Ireland with England / Wales in 2nd place.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service Athletics Association should be congratulated for hosting such a good event with a special thanks to Colin Ward and his team.

The presentation took place after a carvery dinner by the Northern Ireland Director of Prisons. This was followed by a display of Irish Dancing, Irish Folk & Country music and finishing with a disco. The evening was enjoyed by all, who left to return home the following day.

Next year's event is expected to take place in either Eire or Holland. Any runners who are interested please see our contacts page for further information.

National Cross country Tri Race

The National Cross Country Tri Race between the Police, Fire & Prison Service took place this year in Liverpool and was hosted by the Fire Service Liverpool.

The race was at Coxheath Country Park on 21st November and started at 1430hrs on a very wet and windy day, ideal for cross country. It got off to a very fast start, with the Fire Service taking up the lead from the start, a position they held throughout the race with the Police giving them a good contest for the leading top places. It was a 10k course with the ladies doing approx. 5k.

The ladies race was won by S James (Police) in 29.46 minutes with our own Jane Ayre (Moorland) taking 3rd place in 30 minutes. The Police finished 1st, Fire Service 2nd and Prison Service 3rd.

The men's race was won by G Whellams (Fire) in 37.39 minutes, a very fast run indeed. M Fowler (Police) took 2nd with Mark Sherriff (Swinfen Hall) finishing in 5th in 39.10 minutes.

Mike Holmes (Forest Bank) was our second runner home in 41.30 minutes. The men's senior race was won by the Police, Fire Service in second and Prison Service third.

The mould was broken when the Prison Service took the Vet's title for the first time since 1987; the team consisted of Paul Davoli, Mike Holmes, Bill Cowie, Ian Birch, Alan Baines, Steven Clewes and Mike Clifton. Well done to all.

The Prison Service will host this event next year on 20th November at HMP Hewell Grange. For further information see our contacts page.