Bolton Cross Country | Half Trog | Dunnerdale

by Paul Brannigan

The 3^rd Red Rose League Cross Country event provided mud galore for the 8 Todmorden Harriers who made the journey to Leverhulme Park in Bolton. This vibrant event attracts 700 runners from the age of 8 to 70.

First out of the traps was Jack Crummett in the Under 15 boys race with a consistent 2^nd consecutive 8^th place in a highly competitive group.

In the ladies event Jack’s mother, Kath Brierley, looked strong throughout the entire course finishing 3^rd in the Vet 50 category and 36^th overall. Kath was followed in by Andrea Marshall who put herself in pole position for the Tod ladies Cross Country title with one race remaining.

With the course churned up by the earlier races 200 men risked swallowing mud in a thunderous start that kicked up the contents of the many muddy pools. Dwane Dixon and Paul Brannigan, using the race as training for upcoming races, were the first two counters for Todmorden. Dwane executed a strictly planned tactical race that took him to 42^nd place overall and 6^th veteran over 40. Paul left it to the last lap to make up 35 places to finish 56^th and 6^th veteran over 45. Team captain Martin Stork, refined his pace judgement to finish 63^rd. Club stalwart Simon Anderton was next home in 116^th position followed by Andy McFie who decided to give everyone a head start arriving 5 minutes late. The battle for men’s cross country champion is still wide open with one race to go.

Results: U15 Boys:  Jack Crummett 8^th 17:54

Ladies: Kath Brierley 36^th 26:23; Andrea Marshall 98^th 31:33

Men: Dwane Dixon 42^nd 42:27; Paul Brannigan 56^th 43:56; Martin Stork 63^rd 44:17; Simon Anderton 116^th 48:17

 

Paul Hobbs continued his recent rich vein of form as first Todmorden Harrier home in 7^th place at the Wadsworth Half Trog. The race covers just over 9 miles and 1400 feet of climbing. Ben Crowther, one of Tod’s junior section coaches followed Paul in 14^th place. Rob Tyson completed the Tod team finishing 45^th. In the ladies race Elise Milnes was first home in 12^th place followed by Louise Abdy in 15^th.

Results: Ladies: Elise Milnes 12^th 1:59:00; Louise Abdy 15^th 2:10:00

Men: Paul Hobbs 7th 1:15:11; Ben Crowther 14^th 1:21.10; Rob Tyson 45^th 1:33:30; Phil Cook 63^rd 1:37:32; Mick Craven 73^rd 1:39:57; James Riley 74^th 1:40:31; Reginald Czudek 120^th 2:24:59.

5 Tod Harriers headed up to the lakes for the beautiful Dunnerdale Fell Race near Coniston in the Lakes. The battle of the day was between Sue Roberts and Mandy Goth with only 4 seconds separating them at the finish, but leading them home was Chris Preston in 32^nd place. In the men’s race Marcel Ellison and Martin Roberts finished in 41^st and 64^th places.

Results: Ladies: Chris Preston 32nd 64:29; ; Sue Roberts 40^th 1:07:26; Mandy Goth 41^st 1:07:30

Men: Marcel Ellison 41st 48:30; Martin Roberts 64^th 51.13

Todmorden Harriers welcome and look after runners of all ability. Check out www.todharriers.co.uk for details.