Red Vests in Leeds

National Cross Country Roundhay Park, Leeds
Saturday 27th February 2010

As the cross country season comes nearer and nearer the end, just 5 runners from our club put on their red vests with the distinctive black chevrons to tackle the grass, mud and hills of Roundhay Park.

The under 13 boys of Nathan Townsend, Cameron Critchley and Will Townsend ran in possibly the largest field of runners that they have ever run with before and they all enjoyed the ‘big’ experience. They had an ‘arena lap’ to do first and supporters ran across the muddy fields to see them and as they ran up, down and up again. They then ran down and up quite a steep hill. This proved a real discriminator with good hill runners pulling away from the others. The lads of Nathan, Cameron and Will should be really proud of their efforts as they finished in 74th in 12.45 and 260th in 14.03 and 314th in 14.40 respectively and all these runners are still under 13 next year.. The winner’s time was 11.29 and there were 374 runners in the race.

The other two Horwich representatives were Pete Ramsdale and Gordon Stone in the senior men’s race over 12km. With nearly 1500 runners on the start line – the buzz started early. The course had three big laps of climbs, gentle descent’s and mud. Being lapped after nearly two laps when the winners have to just complete their third lap and then the finishing straight, really humbles you but shows the outstanding quality of these front runners. It’s a fantastic experience and I enjoyed it very much. Times and positions are a bit irrelevant but 1225th in 60.57 for Pete and 1248th in 61.34 for Gordon for the record.

Alton Towers on 19th February 2011 – National Cross Country next year – Date for your diary.

Peter Ramsdale