Sat 9 Nov 2019, Hyndburn The second fixture of the Mid Lancs cross country season was held at Wilson Playing Fields, Hyndburn. The venue has been used countless times, but this year there was a different finish location which meant a wider and more organised space for runners to pass through. Much of the course is technical in nature, with thin tracks running through the woods, making overtaking difficult. With recent rain, the courses cut up as the day progressed.
Daniel Bebbington recorded the best performance of the day by winning the senior men’s race in 34.19. Bebbington and Jacob Cann of Lancaster University soon pulled clear of the large field and Bebbington secured victory by twelve seconds as he eased away on the last lap. Ben Akin made an excellent return to club colours after running for the club as a junior, finishing in 15th. Simon Collins had a strong run and was 16th. Oliver Heaton finished in 21st place, despite running a parkrun in the morning, and with Gethin Butler 48th & Andy Whaley 68th, the mens team were 2nd on the day, but took first place in what will be a very competitive Division One this season.
Luke Greenfield was the first B team counter and there were good, solid runs from the remaining counters; John Rainford, Mariusz Kovacs, Mark Lee, Chris Wales & John Griffiths. Kevin Hesketh was second vet 60 and with Michael McLoughlin & Michael Brown, they were second vet 60 team.
In the ladies race, over a distance of what was given as 6.4k, Katey Markland finished a very good 13th. Laura Conn, in her first cross country race, was 39th & Eleanor Parker 44th. There were 165 finishers.
There was a hearty representation of youngsters running and there were some outstanding runs. Sam Smalley finished second, but with the same time as first place, in the under 13 boys race. Lewis Townley was 5th and William Moorhouse 7th. The under 13 girls team, like the under 13 boys, were first placed team on the day, with Poppi Watson first counter in 4th.
Emily Knell was 8th in the under 15 girls race, with Grace Rayner & Anna Thompson 10th & 11th respectively.