Inter Counties Cross Country 2019

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Ollie Lockley produced the standout performance of the twelve local athletes chosen to represent Lancashire in last Saturday’s Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Prestwold Hall, a country estate on the outskirts of Loughborough.

In a race that was the selection trial for the Great Britain team for the World Cross Country Championships later this month, Lockley finished in a superb eleventh position, a performance that demonstrated that a British vest is a realistic target for him in the near future.

The senior men’s and women’s races were both held over a distance that was officially given as ten kilometres, though the technology worn on the wrists of the competitors indicated that the distance was some 500 metres further than this. The decision to equalise the senior men’s and women’s distances this year was a controversial one which did not meet with the unanimous approval of the athletes – previously the men have competed over twelve kilometres and the women over eight.

Lockley judged his race superbly over the rolling terrain on an extremely windy day, holding a position around the top 30 in the early stages before moving smoothly through the field as the race progressed. In the final quarter he found himself in a group of three battling for 11th place, but powered away to take the place with plenty to spare. It was a magnificent run, the only local athlete to have ever placed higher in the senior men’s race being Keith Gerrard who memorably won it in 2012.

Alan Corlett, a late addition to the team, also produced his best performance at this event with a 58th place finish. Like his teammate he became progressively stronger and gained countless places in the second half of the race. The two Manxmen were part of the silver medal winning Lancashire team in the six-man team contest and were gold medal winners in the nine-man contest.

David Mullarkey also earned plaudits for his 19th place finish in the Junior Men’s race which was the first event of the day. This was another mature performance from an athlete who has found great consistency this winter and who should do very well on the track this summer.

The nine-strong Lancashire Senior Women’s team included a remarkable five Manx athletes, the biggest local representation ever in a race at these championships. Sarah Astin continued her rehabilitation from injury with a strong run for 28th place, looking noticeably fitter than two weeks earlier in the English National Championships. Middle distance specialist Rachael Franklin found the longer race distance hard going but as ever battled every step of the way to finish in a good 49th place.

Elissa Morris celebrated her 30th birthday with a fine run to finish 123rd and looked to be enjoying the race more than anyone. Gail Griffiths was one of the oldest competitors in the field but proved that she is still competitive against much younger rivals with 175th place, while Karen Shimmin completed the Manx representation with a gritty run to place 184th.

Lorna Spiers, still an under-17, helped the Lancashire team by stepping up an age group, and also in distance, to run in the Junior Women’s race. She placed a highly creditable 63rd in a race that also included the World Championship trial.

Also placing 63rd in the under 13 girls’ race was Macy Hillier who ran impressively and looks to be getting back to her best form in time for the summer season.

Ella Crowe has enjoyed a fine winter season and she continued in the same vein with a 113th place finish in the under 15 girls’ race in her first year in the age group.

Sam Perry was the only member of the local contingent to debut for Lancashire this year, and he proved himself worthy of his county vest with a strong run to place 253rd in a big field in the under 13 boys’ race. He is in his first year in the age group and this experience will greatly help his progress in the sport.

David Griffiths
12 March 2019

 

Inter Counties Cross Country 2017 – Report

Posted on By Anthony Brand

Twelve Isle of Man athletes – seven from Manx Harriers and five from Northern AC – turned out in the colours of Lancashire at the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships 2017. It was the biggest-ever Manx representation in the Lancashire team at the event. There was local interest in seven of the ten races, which were held at a new venue at Prestwold Hall just outside Loughborough.

Many of the athletes suffered travel problems the day before the race, and some on the return journey. Nevertheless all 12, six of whom were debuting at county level, ran extremely well and produced some impressive results on an undulating course that became very muddy in places as the day progressed.

Participation in the event is by selection only, so there was quality right through the fields. The majority of the races had fields ranging from 260 to just over 300, with the exception of the junior women which had 183. Distances ranged from 3 kilometres for the under-13s to 12k for the senior men.

The first race with Manx interest was the senior women’s event, in which Elissa Morris ran with great commitment to place 113th on her county debut. Gail Griffiths finished 126th, a fine run and remarkably her highest ever finish on her eighth appearance at the event.

Next came the u17 women’s race in which Laura Dickinson executed a well-judged race to finish in 100th place, a really impressive run from a hard-working athlete. The junior (u20) women followed, a race in which Becky Storrie placed 34th and Katie Astin 44th.  Becky’s performance on county debut was arguably the run of the day from the local contingent to complete a highly successful winter season, while Katie continued her comeback from injury with a solid run.

The u13 girls followed, with another county debutant Ella Crowe running extremely well to place 194th in a field of over 300. The experience of running in such a competitive and tightly-packed field will be invaluable as she continues her development.

The first male race involving the locals followed with David Mullarkey placing 48th and George Dickinson 129th in the u17 men’s category. David, although not quite at his best, still ran with typical determination and plenty of quality, while George produced a really notable result to finish well in the top half of the field having only received a late promotion from reserve three days before the race to make his county debut.

The penultimate race was the u15 girls, featuring three of the Northern AC team who won the Lancashire title in January. Lorna Spiers finished 148th, while debutants Phoebe Coates and Kate Cashin came home in 182nd and 236th places. Kate only received her call-up a few days before the event. All ran with total commitment and should be proud of their efforts.

The final race of the day, as is traditional, was the senior men’s event. Alan Corlett, back from a recent injury problem, proved that he is getting close to full fitness again with a run of trademark guts and determination. Ever the team man, his 98th place helped the Lancashire team to pack well and place seventh in the team race.

David Griffiths