On Sunday 22 nd November, 14 cadets from 487 (Kingstanding and Perry Barr) Sqn ATC, travelled to Tudor Grange in Solihull to take part in the annual Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing cross country championships, and what a day it proved to be.

Whilst Cross Country running is traditionally run in the cold months of winter, the ground conditions, and then the inclement weather meant that the cadets had to cope with very wet and slippery conditions.

As the first race got under way, the heavens opened and down came a downpour which along with the cold biting wind made it extremely hard going for all involved, including the marshals who were stood out on the course for over two and a half hours. Following the first boys competition, it was decided to shorten the course because of the weather, a decision which was welcomed by all who followed.

The cadets from 487 Sqn all did extremely well and in particular, Cdt Derbyshire who was competing at her first ATC event. She came fourth in a close run race in the girl's inter-mediate competition. For most of her race she was running third, but she just couldn't hold on to that position at the finish line.

Flt Lt Brendan O'Neill, OC 487 Sqn commented “This was a great effort by all the cadets and I would like to thank them all for turning out today. The weather was horrible and the conditions under foot were not good, but everybody put their head down and got on with it”.