Olympic events help mark MJ Juniors' opening year (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Olympic events help mark MJ Juniors' opening year
4:30pm Monday 23rd July 2012 in Sport
TIME FOR CELEBRATION: More than 40 youngsters from MJ Juniors show off their medals at the club’s awards ceremony celebrating their first year.
MORE than 40 youngsters gathered to celebrate the first year of MJ Juniors.
The club, started in 2011 by Malvern Joggers, now has 50 members between the ages of eight and 16.
At their end-of-year celebration, children took part in Olympic events and were treated to a visit by torchbearer Sophie Witherford followed by an awards ceremony.
They all received a medal for their achievements over the year.
Coach Andy Dickenson said: “We wanted to recognise the huge amount of effort and enthusiasm our members have put in this year. Running can be fun but it can also be hard and our young members have taken part in all the challenges we have thrown at them with huge smiles on their faces.
“We really are incredibly proud of them.”
Throughout the year, the juniors have met at Malvern St James sports field for weekly training sessions.
They have done cross-country training, speed work and hill repeats to increase stamina and confidence.
Once-a-month, the juniors contested timed runs over one mile and awards were given for fastest boy and girl.
Awards, fastest boy: Elliot Crump; girl: Ellen Wikeley; most improved boy: Harvey Lloyd; girl: Sarah-Jane Ollis; coaches’ awards: Thomas Lawson and Ellen Staniforth.
The juniors will take a break over the summer but will meet again on September 9. For more information, visit malvernjoggers.co.uk Meanwhile, three juniors travelled to the Devil’s Chimney Chase in Cheltenham with their dads who competed in the senior race. George Blannin won the children’s competition with his sister Ellie Blannin crossing the line as first girl. Spike Burnage finished third.
The senior race was a muddy six miles around Leckhampton Hills and Andrew Blannin crossing the line first for the Runners, just ahead of Sam Burnage.
- More than 200 competitors braved soggy underfoot conditions to tackle the annual Pitchcroft 10-kilometre race hosted by Worcester Athletic Club.
Oliver Harradence, from Royal Sutton Coldfield AC, won the event in 33 minutes with Malvern Joggers’ contingent led home by Nigel Sewell, who recorded 38.29 for 16th place.
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