The recent tempest like wet weather has had more than a silver lining for local sportsman Jerry Musselwhite as he stormed to gold medals representing Somerset (and Westbury Harriers) in the two regional Cross Country Championships this winter in the 60+ age category.

Back at the end of November, Jerry comfortably led his age group in the 3 Counties Cross Country Championships for athletes from Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire, over a tough 10.3km course around the then relatively firm slopes near Bath University.

On Sunday, 8th January the major Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships for the South-West, were held at the Royal Naval Air Station Merryfield, Ilton, near Illminster in Somerset, attracting several hundred runners for the various races. Towards the end of the day the heavens opened for the Senior Women’s race but abated and even turned to blue sky and sunshine for the last race of the day, the Senior Men’s race over 7km. However, while some of the course was soft going on the edge of the airfield, over half was run across energy sapping waterlogged meadows and along trails through woodlands. Finding any grass to run on through the woods was a rarity, otherwise it was slippery mud or muddy puddles all the way, well churned by the preceding races.

Long spikes were definitely the order of the day. While the low sun was a blessing it was also proving a menace navigating the frequent woodland bends, as it shone through gaps in the trees hitting the runners full in the face but was also temporarily blinding as it reflected off the watery muddy puddles and into the eyes.

Jerry, with many hours of wet ground experience from recent golf(!) and running training on soft ground in harsh weather, perhaps had an advantage compared to his peers, searching out the best footing where possible. Still maintaining race form since the 3 Counties event and enjoying the challenge of racing much younger competitors, a mud splattered Jerry finished comfortably ahead of his nearest age group rival by over a minute and a half. Chris Webb