Manchester XC League Finale
The first daffodil shoots heralded the end of a long cross-country season as the fifth and final round of the Manchester Area Cross Country League took place at Heaton Park on Saturday 7th of February. This closest to ‘home’ fixture saw the best attendance of the season, no mean feat when injury and illness usually take their toll.
Thomas Owen (13:10), Archie Fletcher (13:15) and April Mort (15:41) got the day off to a flying start in the 2,842m U11s race, followed by Louis Yates (12:58), Oliver Hughes (15:38) and Abigail Taylor (17:23) in the 3,170m U13s. The U15s were up next with 5.7 km. Flynn Harris led the way with a time of 22:24. Kitty Crossland managed a strong 15th place finish in 23:18, with Isobel Reid 19th (24:32) and Millie Reid 25th (25:22). In the 6.3km U17 race, Mark Titmuss used his fell running strength and speedy descending to his advantage on the hilly course, finishing 14th (23:46). Tia Harris had an equally strong run, finishing 16th girl in 33:53.
In the senior women’s race, Milly Lever was the frontrunner, stopping the clock in 36:09 after a hilly 8.5km. Alice Tucker (38:07) is reaping the rewards of her recent track work, finishing 6th U20. Helen MacDonald (39:34) and Alison Mort (39:51) had a close battle, whilst Janet Rashleigh (40:40) rallied after losing a shoe in the quagmire. Despite this setback, she managed to win her V60 age group. Helen Shan (42:43) and Sophie Walton (45:09) completed the best attendance this season.
The men were last up and had to tackle 9.5km. The lineup totalled 24, surely a record turnout in the red and black vests, and they provided quality as well as quantity, finishing 3rd team on the day. Standout individual results included Rob Hope 1st MV50 (33:50), mixing it with men half his age; Nick Leigh, 3rd V40 (34:35) after a torrid few months with illness; Julian Goudge, 4th V50 (35:44); Dan McParland, 7th V40 (36:30) and Adrian Bramham, 1st V70 (38:35).
In the overall League results, there were fantastic placings for the U15 girls in 4th and the U20 women in 2nd. The senior women finished 2nd in Division 3, earning promotion for next season. The senior men’s team beat podium rivals Vale Royal in the final fixture; however, it wasn’t enough to overturn the Cheshire club in the series. In the end, the RMI were a measly 2 points off 3rd place in Division 1; no mean feat against the strongest clubs in the North West. Elsewhere there were well-earned podiums for the Men’s B team and Men’s Vet B team.
Only just thawing out from the Trigger, glutton for punishment Dan Gilbert was at it again at the Mickleden Straddle Fell Race. A partially runnable route, the 14.3 miles and 2,431ft of ascent traversed tussocky grass, heather, and boggy open moorland. Gilbert placed 19th and 2nd MV50 (2:05:50) in what in fell-running circles is considered “a flat ‘un”.
