South East Lancs XC Leigh 13th February 2010

Posted on by

The final race in the SEL XC season took place at Lilford Park Leigh. With other commitments taking place over this busy weekend runners were making decisions about which of the races to take part in. Mid Lancs XC at Hyndburn, Parbold Hill race, Anglezarke Amble on Saturday and our own club promotion of the Winter Hill on Sunday. I attended the SEL XC as co-organiser for this final race in the 2009-10 season. With the help of Brian Schofield from Oldham and Royton and our own Neil Critchley (dad of Cameron, under 13 Horwich runner) from Burden RR, we set about early marking out the quite large loop.

There were only three Horwich runners deciding to run this race with Cameron trying to hold on to as high a position as possible in the under 13’s category. Even though the race fewer than usual numbers, the field was just as strong. Cameron battled hard and held off chasing runners to finish in 6th place. This gives him sixth overall – a very good performance, well done.

In the seniors, well vets, Rob Haworth and myself completed the three large laps. I cannot comment too much about Rob’s run as I didn’t see much of him and he might have even gone home by the time I’d finished but 14th in a time of 37.27 is very impressive. This also completes the necessary 3 races to qualify for the series. I worked hard and completed the 9km in 46.03 in 66th place. Ian Grime from Newham and Essex won in 33.04.

That completes the series in the South East Lancs, Cameron Critchley 6th U13, Rob Haworth 1st Vet 50, Tony Hesketh 1st Vet 60, Paul Murray 4th Vet 60 and me 14th Vet 50. The Horwich V40 team finished joint 5th whilst the V50 team came joint 2nd. To say that this wasn’t within the clubs targets and it clashed with at least 2 Mid Lancs races, that’s a good show. Thanks everyone.

Footnote – packed up the course, packed all the markers in my car and then found myself locked in the park – 40minutes later having found someone with a key to let me out, I was driving home – just adds to the day!

Peter Ramsdale