The third race in the League took place at Cleckheaton, on a course unfamiliar to the majority of runners taking part, and our youngsters had their first taste of real mud this season.
Although our numbers were a little depleted, 23 Juniors took part, and once again we were represented in every race, with five scoring teams: the U11 Girls came 8th, the U11 Boys 9th, the Under 13 Boys 3rd, the U17 Women 3rd and the U17 Men 2nd
Our team performance was more than matched by some outstanding individual results: Emily Field continued her fine series in 5th position; Reuben Mantle ran aggressively to finish 3rd; Alex Flaherty was once again a very close 2nd; and Rebecca Flaherty again dominated her race to record her second win.
Amongst the others, there was a great deal with which to be impressed: fine runs from Grace Dawson, Ruby Firth and Matthew Merrick, and continuing improvement from Jake Wallace, Matthew Peace, Grace Ross, Samuel Mantle, Izzy Harris and Josh Spencer.
All in all, a very pleasing effort from all concerned and, if we can maintain this standard, and, dare I say, improve it slightly, we will have a good chance of winning some medals in the overall competition.
In the meantime it would be very pleasing to see a very good entry for the first PECO League race on Sunday 27 November: a real opportunity for our younger runners to race in a more relaxed atmosphere.
U11 Boys:
24th Matthew Peace
33rd Alistair Trusselle
36th William Askew
U11 Girls:
1st Rebecca Flaherty
20th Grace Ross
47th Lilly Smith
U13 Girls:
9th Grace Dawson
U13 Boys:
2nd Alex Flaherty
15th Jake Wallace
18th Samuel Mantle
20th Ben Rees
38th Dylan Thornton
U15 Girls:
5th Emily Field
8th Ruby Firth
U15 Boys:
27th Joseph Carnelley
U17 Women:
11th Vicki Merrick
15th Eliza Findlay
16th Izzy Harris
20th Katie Smith
U17 Men:
3rd Reuben Mantle
6th Matthew Merrick
15th James Askew
23rd Josh Spencer
Tony Kingham