The Red Rose Country League features 4 fixtures and as well as being a competition for team and individual glory, is our club Cross Country Championship.
Round 1- Todmorden
The season opener for the RRXC was our own very popular Centre Vale park event ably organised by Jon Wilson. In his 1st XC since primary school some 31 years earlier, Doni Clarke paced himself behind the race leader for two laps before passing him on the final lap to take the win by 6 secs.
In the ladies race Emma Fiedler was first Toddy to cross the line in 9th place, closely followed by Rebecca Patrick (11th) and Deborah Gowans (13th) to secure 1st place ladies vets team
The 1st mens vet’s team place also went to Tod courtesy of Doni, Andy Ford (6th), Greame Brown (10th) and Jon Wright (30th)
Round 2 – Townley
On a flatter course than round one both the ladies and mens teams were placed 5th. Deborah Gowans lead the Tod charge finishing 19th in the ladies race. Doni Clarke finished 5th in the mens.
Round 3 – Sefton (European Champs Qualifier!)
In the ladies race Emma Fiedler put in another strong performance finishing in 13th place followed closely by Deborah Gowans (15th) and Mel B (17th) to again take 1st place ladies vets team honours. The mens race saw Doni home in 6th, Dom Leckie 30th and Darren Tweed in 67th. Kath;s vegan cake compensated for the lack of team honours for the Tod boys this time.
Round 4 Marl Pits
On a tough course famed for having the original ‘bog of doom’ Deborah Gowans led a trio of Toddies to finish 8th ahead of Emma Fiedler and Rebecca Patrick – once again earning them 1st Vets team. In the men’s race first home for Tod was Greame Brown in 19th, the mens vet team of Greame, Nick Barber, Jon Wright and Mark Anderton taking 2nd place.
The Todmorden Cross Country Championship winners for 2023 are Doni Clarke and Deborah Gowans