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Liverpool Cross Country Report 28/11/2009

Aspiring international athletes travelled to Liverpool’s Sefton Park for last weekend’s McCain UK Cross Challenge in an attempt to secure places at the European Cross Country Championships. The second event of the McCain UK Cross Challenge formed the trials to select British teams for the European Championships. As well as the national trails there were races for the younger age groups which attracted runners from throughout the country.

First to race were the U11 boys and girls. First home for Lancaster and Morecambe AC in 35^th place was Niall Graham followed 20 seconds later by Nathan Slack who was placed 46^th in his first cross country. Joseph Twigg (49th) and Liam Hinnigan (51st) were followed in by the two Lancaster and Morecambe U11 girls; Molly Newton O’Brien in 57^th and Allana Jones in 62^nd. Seven year old James McCracken completed the squad in 64^th position.

Lancaster and Morecambe had four girls in the U13 girls’ event. First home for the club was Mary Hodgson in 34^th place. She was backed up by Sarah Bell (67^th); Naomi Hegarty(77th) and Jessica McCracken (86^th).

U13 boy Daniel Forde had an excellent race to finish in 63^rd place. He was joined by Joel Ingram (79th) and Patrick McGuiness(84^th).

In the U15 girls’ category Sarah Hodgson was placed 40^th. Also competing was Christina Bell (81^st); Paige Clinton (89^th) and Hannah Fleet in 94^th place.

Ryan Croasdale had an outstanding race to finish 12th in the U15 boys’ category. James Whitaker was placed 88^th and Tom Nolan-Barnes 103^rd.

Three talented young men lined up for the U17 men’s race. As always they posted excellent results with Callum Mason in 58^th; Adam Bateson in 71^st and Liam McGuiness in 75^th.

The high quality competition in Liverpool was evident in the U17/ 20 women’s race with under 17 athlete Emelia Gorecka of Aldershot, Farnham and District AC taking the win in the women’s fields ahead of older competitors. Lancaster and Morecambe athlete, Hannah Bateson took 32nd place.

Hayley Yelling of Windsor , Slough, Eton and Hounslow made a remarkable come back to high level national competition winning the senior women’s race having led the race from the start. Lancaster and Morecambe competitors in the race were Laura Morris (107th); Jayne Perry (117th) Kathy Winrow (123rd) and Christine Perry (151st).

An exciting finish saw Mike Skinner (Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC) take the lead on the final muddy uphill climb to win the senior men’s race. Lancaster and Morecambe Ac fielded eleven athletes in the race; first home was Mark Chippendale in 147th place. He was supported by Mark Gardner in 183rd. Next back were the club’s three juniors; Jordan Harris (195th), David Brown (208th) and Paul Hodgson (233rd). Jack Husband in 263rd position together with Gordon Everard (344th), Steve Perry (347th), Matthew Mitchell (351^st), Mike Peat (382^nd) and George Parrington (420^th) completed the line up.