A simple ‘well done’ doesn’t seem appropriate when writing about the members who took part in the 2016 Northern Cross Country Championships (Saturday, 30th January) as appalling weather conditions made the course around Witton Park, Blackburn, more challenging than usual.
As well as ankle deep mud and several steep ascents, competitors also had to contend with gale force winds and ferocious hail storms throughout the day, so fair play to the 3 lasses and 13* lads who finished the punishing event. (*unfortunately, injuries forced out Nick Joyce and Will Johnson during the Senior Men’s race).
The men’s team finished in 18th position (out of 52 complete teams).
| Ladies | Distance: 7.8K |
| Time | Name |
| 35:08 | Alison Dargie |
| 39:23 | Lucy Matheson |
| 43:01 | Charlotte Carpenter |
| Men | Distance: 12K |
| Time | Name |
| 51:11 | Alex Polding |
| 51:43 | James Dunce |
| 55:06 | David Moir |
| 56:24 | Chris Meek |
| 56:28 | Alex Black |
| 58:04 | Douglas Tickner |
| 58:58 | Alasdair Blain |
| 1:00:05 | John Hurse |
| 1:00:48 | Simon Pryde |
| 1:02:34 | David Appleby |
| 1:05:06 | Matt Walker |
| 1:05:32 | Andrew Mellon |
| 1:08:03 | Rob Wishart |
Full results can be found here.
1st hill ascent
1st hill descent
2nd hill ascent
a regular feature throughout the day
Thankfully not required on the day
(l-r) Lucy, Charlotte & Alison
(l-r) Alasdair, James, Dave M & Nick
John
(l-r) Alex P & Simon
Chris Meek (the one covered from head-to-toe in mud) on the final run-in
The start of the Men’s race can be view here and a clip during the 2nd lap can be viewed here. (apologies for the poor sound quality).
One response
I have nothing but admiration for you guys, the mud looks horrendous. I remember the second hill, it is the more famous one on that course and it seems to go on for ever. Anyway, it’s winter, it’s cross country, would you want it any other way? A great excuse to get down and get dirty!
Brings back memories of Hartlepool a few years back when we ran in similar conditions. I also recall the Northerns at Heaton Park in my Wallsend days when we had to wash the mud off in a large puddle of water because the bus driver wouldn’t allow us back on the bus in the state we were in.