Cross country runners bravely battle tough course conditions

The winter sun melted the lying snow leaving a very muddy course.

First to race were the U17 women and Heidi Murray put a period of illness behind her with a very creditable 29th place.

Next to run were the Junior Women, who produced the best result of the day with a team bronze.

Sarah Hodgson worked her way through the field to finish 6th.

She was joined by younger sister Mary in 15th place and Helen Ockenden in 50th position.

The third race of the day was the U13 Girls and club newcomer, Isabella Woodman showed great promise for the future with 56th position.

The other three girls, all in their first year of age group competition, performed very well; with Erin Moffatt 76th, Kirsty Hamilton 93rd and Sasha Oldham 100th.

This result was enough to secure 14th team position for the girls.

Also finishing 14th team were the Senior Women. Caroline Baxter continued her excellent form this season with 34th and was well backed up by Marie Snell (43rd), Debra Oakley (117th) and Zoe Hooting (278th).

With six to count for the Senior men’s race all the Lancaster and Morecambe starters needed to finish. David Brown took 124th position with Steven Worthington in 125th.

They were joined by Mark Holgate (187th), Mark Leadbeatter (264th), James Edwards (348th) and George Parrington (662nd). The team finished in a pleasing 28th place.

In the U17 men’s event Jamie Hardy took 117th position, Joseph Twigg finished 134th in the U15 boys’ race and 11 year old Tim Woodman, in his first major competition, took 143rd in the U13 boys’ event.

All the athletes would like to thank Mick Leck and Jim Stewart, Lancaster and Morecambe AC team managers.