A&T cross-country Townley Park Saturday 29/10/11 – by Mark Riches

Another good turnout of A&T runners (25) for the third cross-country of the year

By the time I arrived the tent was almost up & then it was a case of ensuring everyone had a number (ladies first.) There were a few late entries but only Steve Foster was special enough to have a handwritten number (not sure what happened to the original number 1000) & “Gardiner, Terry Gardiner” ended up with 1007 this year (think James Bond!)

Once the ladies had set off to tackle the 5K course, I kept the crowd entertained by trying no less than 3 times to put on my running vest before realising that I had safety pinned the front & back together!

First A&T lady home was Carole Baines (29.02) but she was pushed all the way by Suzanne Gregory (29.10) Next it was Kim O’Neil (31.07) & 19 seconds later Louise Dobson followed by Michaela Shaw (31.48.) Cath Hodgetts (35.10) Joan Cooke (36.29) & Clare Unsworth completed the line up – well done ladies!

Next it was the turn of the 16 A&T men to tackle this very runable course; 10K this time

Not surprisingly 1st A&T finisher again was Lewis Eccleston with an excellent 40th position & a time of 37.10. Alex Foster finished 48 seconds behind Lewis & was pursued by Simon Ford (38.35.) A little further down the field, yours truly (Mark Riches) after catching Scott Christie on the 1st lap was trying to catch up with Alan Hilton but with the last lap approaching I was beginning to think I wouldn’t catch him this time when he pulled up with a stitch! I took my chance & pressed on then my thoughts turned to how far behind Shaun Moran was as he likes this course & always finishes quickly. I managed to hold on (just) finishing in 39.17 to Shaun’s 39.41, Alan battled on finishing in 41.49 followed by Scott (41.56) & Jon Hyde (42.00.) John Lee had a great run finishing in 43.30. Next Derek Coop & Terry Gardiner finished within 1 second of each other (44.12 & 44.13) followed by Dale Kenyon (44.51) & Mark Lysycia (46.01.) Ian Hamilton also had a great run finishing in 48.00 with Paul Basnett (50.41) Dave Crowe (51.35) & Barry Allman (1.01.53) completed the line up

We all enjoyed the delights of Brenda’s café while discussing the race (hills / mud / tree routes etc.) & again we were one of the last clubs to leave!

Next race Saturday 12/11/11 at Leverhulme Park, Bolton (Red Rose)

Click here for the photos taken by Jo Riches