Harriers Take On The “Bog of Doom” At Marl Pits

As the festive season looms, the cross-country fixtures arrive thick and fast. In the Manchester Area Cross Country League, competitors returned to Woodbank Park for the second time in three rounds. Although the course layout and distances were identical, the conditions resulted in a much tougher test than the dry, fast season opener in October. April Mort was the first Horwich runner between the tapes and she set the tone with a great time of 15:38 in the U11 girls’ race. Oliver Hughes (18:30) also showed well in the U13 boys, whilst Flynn Harris (21:47) was in action in the U15 boys’ race. Mark Titmuss used his fell running strength to place 18th in the U17 (26:19) men’s race, whilst Tia Harris was 10th (35:39) in the U17 Ladies.

In the Ladies’ senior race, Charlotte Wilkinson was 1st Harrier home in 44:05. Belgian recruit Tara van Delm (45:08) wasn’t far behind in her first XC race in Horwich colours. Janet Rashleigh won her V60 category in only her second race back from a broken leg. Alison Mort (48:44) and Helen Shan (51:15) completed the Horwich Ladies’ team.

The men’s senior team, despite injury and illness striking in the ranks, finished a strong 5th. James Scott-Farrington (9th, 37:13) and Joe Mercer (11th, 37:16) led the charge. As ever, the veterans performed exceptionally. Julian Goudge continued his wonderful form with 1st V50 (40:38), Marcus Taylor (45:21) and Adrian Bramham (44:48) were 2nd in the V55s and V60s respectively. Taylor went on to place 5th MV55 (01:04:28) in the Myerscough 10-mile road race the following day in a signature double header for the mileage machine.

Meanwhile, the final round of the Red Rose League was held at the (in)famous Marl Pits in Rossendale. Leo Rutter ducked under 10 minutes in the U11 boys race. There was little to separate Sophie Mason (12th, 10:25) and Matilda MacDonald (11th, 10:27) in the U11 girls. Louis Yates scored a top 10 in the U13 boys (9th, 11:26). Matthew MacDonald was also 9th (22:00) in the U15 boys, whilst the U15 girls flooded the top 10: Ava Winstanley was 4th (20:02), Millie Reid 6th (21:43), Isobel Reid 7th (21:50) and Eve MacDonald 9th (23:07).

The senior races tackled the notorious “bog of doom”, which has claimed many a running spike over the years. Helen MacDonald showed that superior running genetics descend from the maternal side with 18th and 3rd FV40 in 28:43. Her husband Adam managed 5th in the men’s V40 (40:52). Mark Walsh (42:31) was 2nd MV55 and Doug Fleming (49:46) 2nd MV65.

Robert Jackson was 5th at Peel parkrun. His 18:47 also placed him 1st in his age group and 1st overall age grading. Another Robert, Seddon, clocked 18:35 to finish 14th at a more competitive Stretford, where Jason Middleton also ran (25:20). Paul Wilcockson and Chris Charnley went at it hammer and tongs at Haigh, with just 5 seconds separating the two men at the finish. Wilcockson (22:37) was 9th to Charnley’s (22:42) 10th.