National times for county town four

9:08am Tuesday 1st April 2008

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FOUR athletes from Dorchester Athletics Club have achieved national qualification.

The quartet travelled to Notting-ham for the UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships and World Trials at Wollaton Park.

To make the Dorset team for this prestigious event, which is covered live on Sky TV, competitors had to finish in the top eight in the county, in each age group, to be selected.

First to run was Freddie Cook in the under-15 boys' category. He got away well and finished in a time of 16.38mins - the fifth best time for Dorset and 124th in a field of 280 runners.

The Dorset team came ninth out of 41 counties.

Next up for the county town was Hannah Jeanes in the 6,000m. A strong run helped her finish first in a time of 26.51mins and 65th in a field of 130.

Under-13 competitor Beth Letherby ran well in the 3,000m to place sixth, and 191st out of 300, in a time of 15.21mins, helping Dorset finish ninth out of 40 counties.

Last to run was Rosie Smith in the under-15 girls. Smith looked strong throughout her 4,000m contest and finished as the sixth best Dorset runner in a time of 17.56mins - 219th in a field of 274. In the team standings, Dorset placed 16th out of 40.

Meanwhile, Benedict Westhenry of Weymouth St Paul's Harriers was the second highest Dorset finisher in the boys' under-13 race, coming home in a promising 64th position.

Sam Rowland-Smith of Bridport Runners placed 158th in the Junior Men section and finished third Dorset runner for the team.

The county's Senior Men's team struggled against strong opposition but Ian Habgood (Egdon Heath) and Mark Pittaway (Royal Manor of Portland AC) were first and fourth out of the Dorset runners.

For more information on joining Dorchester AC contact Janet Letherby on 01308 482684.