The 1st of 4 Red Rose Cross Country League races took place at Leigh on Saturday and Todmorden Harriers men laid a solid foundation for success with 3rd place in the veterans table and 7th overall team. The early pace was set by Tod’s Nick Barber and Jackson Cowie with Nick remaining strong throughout and succeeding as 1st team counter. Andrew Wrench, Paul Brannigan, Dwane Dixon and Michael Harper followed at a better judged pace than Barber and Cowie with all four picking up places on the last 2 laps and Wrench almost catching a very tired Barber who spent several minutes staggering around the field. His delirious state was later replaced by joy as he realised he had beaten Wrench for the first time – a significant achievement. Brannigan is targeting the V50 title and took 1st V50 with Wrench 2nd V45 and considering further runs in the league. In the Ladies race Tod’s Catherine Elvin was well suited to the fast flat mostly dry course finishing a fine 54th of 142 runners. In the Under 17s race Tod’s Jack Crummett finished 9th.
Results:
Position Name Time
15th Nick Barber 39.45
20th Andrew Wrench 39.56
28th Paul Brannigan 40.54
68th Dwane Dixon 43.54
112th Michael Harper 46.43
125th Jackson Cowie 47.34
174th Joe Daniels 50.57
Ladies
54th Catherine Elvin 25.58
U17:
9th Jack Crummett 21.20