HELEN Sharpe – daughter of Burton AC coach Trevor – finished a highly creditable seventh at the Midland Cross-Country Championships at Stafford Common on Saturday.
Sharpe clocked 26.13 to finish just six seconds behind City of Stoke’s Kate Holt in a high quality field.
Charnwood AC athlete Juliet Doyle bagged top spot in a time of 24.43.
Sharpe now lines up for Bristol and West AC and had a debut to remember six days earlier at the McCain Cross Challenge in Cardiff. After missing her train at Bristol temple Meads the runner was forced to make a dash to an alternative station. And team manager Keith Brackstone also had to make an emergency pick-up to make sure Sharpe made the starting line.
Sharpe still managed to finish 14th despite a terrain which failed to suit her style.
She said; “I like a few hills so the course was a bit flat for me. It was an OK performance after a hectic morning and something to build on.”
