Moore continues rapid progress... Czura takes field apart

Saffron Moore is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jan 2016, 08:00 BST
Saffron Moore and Nicole Ainsworth with their City of Portsmouth club-mates at Fairthorne Manor. Picture: Mick Young (151783-05)Saffron Moore and Nicole Ainsworth with their City of Portsmouth club-mates at Fairthorne Manor. Picture: Mick Young (151783-05)
Saffron Moore and Nicole Ainsworth with their City of Portsmouth club-mates at Fairthorne Manor. Picture: Mick Young (151783-05)

The City of Portsmouth ace showed her quality in the Hampshire Cross-Country Championships on Saturday at Fairthorne Manor.

And club-mate Nicole Ainsworth also ran superbly to pick up the silver medal.

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The duo showed a clean pair of heels to their rivals, in tough muddy conditions.

Josie Czura speeds clear at the start. Picture: Mick YoungJosie Czura speeds clear at the start. Picture: Mick Young
Josie Czura speeds clear at the start. Picture: Mick Young

Moore sprinted clear in the final 200m to win the under-13 girls’ 3.2k race with a time of 12min 29sec.

Ainsworth finished two seconds adrift, with Aldershot, Farnham & District athlete Charlie Parsons third in 12.46.

City coach Vince Stamp is delighted with the way his athletes are progressing.

He said: ‘Nicole and Saffron ran brilliantly.

Josie Czura speeds clear at the start. Picture: Mick YoungJosie Czura speeds clear at the start. Picture: Mick Young
Josie Czura speeds clear at the start. Picture: Mick Young
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‘The athlete who finished third was one of the favourites but they were well clear.

‘They ran together, they were 60 to 70 metres up on the third-placed runner.

‘Saffron got the edge on Nicole in the sprint in the last 200m and it was a great display in the conditions.

‘They totally destroyed the next best.

‘Last year, Saffron finished 17th and it was her first-ever race.

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‘This time she has stepped up to win and it was her training partner, Nicole, who pushed her all the way.’

Meanwhile, Josie Czura has completed a hat-trick.

In 2014 and 2015 she won the under-13 age group.

On Saturday she added the under-15 title at the Curdridge venue.

Her time of 14.08 for the tough 4k course was more than a minute clear of her nearest rival.

Stamp said: ‘Josie Czura took the field apart.

‘She is one of the best in the country and an international medallist so you expect that.’

The South of England Championships take place on Saturday, January 30 at Parliament Hill, in London.

Related topics:City of Portsmouth