Teenager Thierry takes top honours
THIERRY LE CHEMINANT edged the FNB Cross-Country League men’s honours by a single point on Saturday as comeback-seeker Nat Whitty sealed the women’s title.
Le Cheminant, who turns 17 two weeks today, came through a winner-takes-all duel against previous holder James Priest at Home Farm to become a notably young champion of the four-part series.
Six miles on the country is an event right up Priest’s street – but in uncharacteristically dry conditions, the youngster remained ominously poised on his experienced rival’s shoulder.
Le Cheminant made his decisive break in the final one-mile lap and never looked back as he strode home in 36min. 36sec., a good 15sec. clear.
The only other realistic title challenger, Will Bodkin, missed out after suffering various setbacks since winning the first two races.
However, while Mike Batiste completed Saturday’s race podium, Chris Norman took third in the series for the second year running.
It was a similar case in the women’s league as Whitty won overall despite Nix Petit taking her scalp in the finale.
Petit started strongly and continued to draw away to post 28-41 in the Division Two four-miler, yet she could not make enough positions on former 800m ace Whitty, who finished 37sec. behind following an Achilles injury.
Chloe Truffitt took third woman for both the race and the series.
