Weston and Eagles ease to comfortable wins in Summer Full Course

Monday 17 June 2024

The pressure was off those leading the pack in the Summer Full Course cross country.

Rick Weston had more than a minute in hand as he crossed the line in Pembroke carpark, while the women’s race was won by Sarah Eagles with an advantage of over four minutes.

There were some tweaks for what is one of the longest standing courses on the Guernsey Athletics’ club calendar, 4.75miles taking in the hard packed coastal paths and grassy routes over parts of L’Ancresse Common.

Ronez quarrying work has rerouted and resurfaced paths at Chouet, while grazing cattle meant bypassing one of the tougher climbs.

Pictured: Jamie Ingrouille with a string of runners behind him approaching L'Ancresse cross roads.

Weston took control from the off and was never troubled in a rare cross country outing, winning in 26:04.

Behind him, there was a contrast in approaches.

Pictured: Fast starting Jack Rees held on for second.

Jack Rees went out hard, while Michael Batiste on his return to competitive action took a more conservative approach in the opening stages.

While Batiste ate into Rees’ early advantage, in the end the aggressive opening proved decisive as the gap stuck at 10 seconds as the second-placed athlete finished in 27:05.

Pictured: Civil Protection volunteers control the traffic as Michael Batiste approaches.

Eagles won the women’s race at a canter, crossing the line in a lifetime best for the course in 31:03.

Pictured: Sarah Eagles in the final stretch.

Caroline Barby was second in 35:12 while teenager Eleanor Jamieson completed the podium.

Pictured: Eleanor Jamison closed out the women's podium.

Full results.

Pictured top: Race winner Rick Weston.