A good day for running, even sunshine early on, brought out a healthy turnout of athletes across the age groups and clubs for this first Mid Lancs of 2017.
As usual the event started with the U11 girls. The Harriers had a good turnout with nine eager youngsters, some looking to run their first cross country. They were led home by Anna Thompson who had a gutsy run, followed by a confident Isabella Buraimo. Grace WareingYeukett was next with Grace Horne and Megan Ind. The next girls had really good grouping, helping each other and enjoying their run, Rhiannon Magee, Eloise White, Evie Melia and Sophie Ince, a promising group of girls. 79 girls ran and the Harriers team came 8th.
In the U11 boys we had seven runners led home by James Ince coming 2nd with a great run followed by Jason Warren and Corey Middleton combining to take 4th team. Ethan Chadwick, Oliver Wise, Dylan Wise and Joseph Thompson all gave a good account of themselves.
The U13 girls had another nine Harriers running. A fine run by Scarlett Sutton brought her home in 5th place and she was closely followed by Imogen Blackwell and Faye Houghton working together for 11th and 12th positions which resulted in a 1st team placing. The rest of the team (Grace Brown, Olivia Miller, Emily Reynolds, Eva Sturziker, Lottie Marsden and Caitlin Magee) all gave good backing to ensure the team victory. Our U13 boys also had a good result. Ethan Warren was another 2nd placer with an excellent run and he was followed by Thom Barnes, Benjamin Box, Vladimir Wiggins, Luke Suffolk, Ned Gilkes, Thomas Chadwick and Harley Vickers. The team came 2nd;;as with the girls good grouping and back up from the others ensured a good result.

The Harriers U15G, U15B, U17G and U17B unfortunately were poorly represented.
In the U15G Darcy Lonsdale had a good strong run coming 5th and Holly Suffolk also gave a good account of herself but they lacked the support of others as three are needed for a result. Similarly, Aaron Halliday and Arran Baldwin in the U15B put in good efforts and in the U17G Alice Miller and Emily Wiggins did likewise. In the U17B there were no Harriers running!
In the V70s Dave Roberts ran with the ladies, enjoying the event.
Our senior ladies were led home by a powerful run from Emma Essex-Crosby followed by the in- form Marian Hesketh and Sue Wickham, coming 18th team. The same group came 9th in the W35s. In the W45s Marian and Sue were joined by Judith Deakin for 8th team and in the W55s were 3rd team. Olga Wiggins and a wayward Kari Edwards completed the team.
In the senior men’s race James Douglas of Border appeared to be on a mission, well over a minute clear of second place which for a good part of the race was held by Dan Bebbington who maintained his third place for a great finish. Andy Benson was next in 10th spot, holding off a chasing pack one of whom was given the same time. Gethin Butler battled his way to the front of a group and he was followed in by Kevin Hunt a little further back. Dave Watson, Chris Wales, Ben Read, John Griffiths and Alex Waddelove all put in great performances, swapping places as the race developed and the mud took its toll. John Rainford had a steady run and he was followed by a slip sliding Douggie Potter having shoe issues in the mud. Roy Parkinson and Billy Johnstone had a good battle, pushing each other to their limits and Michael McLoughlin and Michael Brown completed the pack. The team came a great 3rd position with Dan, Andy, Gethin, Kevin, Dave and Chris. In the V40s we were 2nd with Gethin, Kevin, Dave and Chris and 3rd in the V50s with John Griffiths, John Rainford and Roy Parkinson.