Cross Country, Leigh, 13 Oct
Report by Lucy Hobbs
Last Saturday saw the start of the 2018 cross-country season for Tod Harriers with the first of the Red Rose XC series at Leigh. It is a notoriously fast and flat course and Saturday’s conditions were windy and uncomfortably humid. In the women’s race, which is a tough 5k-lap course, 153 runners completed the course. Olivia Stones of Leigh Harriers won the race in 20.08. For the Tod Harriers, Pauline May was first home in 19th (22.04), closely followed by Rebecca Patrick in 20th (22:18) and then a strong run from Mel Blackhurst in 32nd (23:24 and 1ST V50). Kath Brierley showed a strong return to form to finish in 59th (25.20 and 2nd V55) and Rebecca James ran well to finish 6th the U20 category (56th overall). Other Tod Harrier finishers: 44th Rosa Blackwell, (23:55), 48th Claire Duffield (24:12), 50th Kate Mansell (24:17), 65th Rebecca Senior (25:48), 88th Kim Ashworth (27:18). The men’s race, which is a 10K course, was also hard fought. 197 ran with Tim Raynes of Blackburn Harriers winning in a time of 33.45. Andy Worster was the first Tod Harrier to cross the line in 16th place (36.14). Behind him was the battle of the Tod Vets with Graeme Brown coming in first in 27th (37:33 and 2nd V40) immediately followed by Chairman Nick Barber in 28th (37:35 and 3rd V40) and then Jon Wright in 29th (37.36). Other Tod Harrier finishers: 54th Darren Shackleton, (40:52), 69th Robin Tuddenham (after a marathon last week) 42:06, 120th James Riley (45:06) and the ever-present Richard Blakeley in 182nd and 1st V75 (53:45).