They're off - the start of today's race at Stowe. The eventual winner is towards the left wearing the number 1 on his black vest.
5 October 2008
A total of 76 runners gathered at Stowe School today to take part in the UK Fire Services Cross Country Championships, which incorporated the annual Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service Cross Country Race.
It's the 31st year the Buckinghamshire race has been run, and the 21st year the race has been held at the historic venue.
Sixteen competitors from Buckinghamshire entered – 13 in the 8km men’s race and three in the 6km women’s race.
Mark Boxall and Milly Derbyshire of Aylesbury Fire Station won their respective races in the Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service Cross Country Race. Mark completed the 8km course in 34 minutes 42 seconds and Milly the 6km course in 31 minutes 11 seconds. Aylesbury Fire Station also picked up the team award for the top three cumulative scores, with Waddesdon Fire Station second.
Results of the Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service Cross Country Race are HERE.
The winner of the men's race in the UK Fire Services Cross Country Championships for the second year in succession was Nigel Stirk from Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (8km course - 28 minutes 41 seconds). The women's race was won by Jacqui Slack from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service (6km course - 26 minutes 7 seconds).
Results of the UK Fire Services Cross Country Championships are HERE.
Medals were presented by Councillor David Rowlands, Chairman of Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, and Clare Hedger, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's Deputy Chief Officer.
Councillor Rowlands said: “It was a particularly wet and challenging course and I would like to congratulate everyone who took part. Once again there was a good turn-out and I'm already looking forward to next year's race!”
Special mementos celebrating the 21st anniversary of Stowe as the venue were given to each participant in addition to race awards.
The race was a remarkable personal achievement for Eddie Gutteridge, Life Vice-President of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service Sports Association, as he has organised all 31 of them.