THIS week was the last of the cross countries before the Christmas break and Summerhill in Hartlepool hosted. As the day unfolded the course became more a test of endurance and skill as it got more and more churned up and the beck even claimed a number of runners and a few shoes who ended up in it, some never to be seen again!

Ollie Middleton was first to test the course in the U11 boys race and had another mature run to finish 11th. In the U13 boys race, Tom O’Mahoney adjusted well to the conditions in a fine 3rd, with Josh Hammett just behind in another solid run in 4th, Dominic Wilford produced another excellent performance in 8th and Matthew Cole running well in 10th. This gave the U13 boys squad a 2nd consecutive win. The U13 girls had some great performances from Holly McCowie in 6th, Shannon Robinson in 9th and Maisy Squires in 14th, giving them 3rd in the team race. Charlie Stephenson took the win this week in the U15 boys, with Daniel Francis completing the 1 and 2 and George McCowie in 9th. These results gave them another team win. Emily Francis produced a fantastic performance in 2nd in the U15 girls race even though she lost a shoe during the race. In the U17 boys race Jake Stephenson took the victory, Dylan Soley was a very good 6th, Sam Kettlewell in a strong run in 7th and Lewis Moore not far behind in 10th. This gave the U17 squad the team win. In the senior ladies race Jo Adams led from start to finish, recording another win for the season. Laura Kirkham had another good run in 11th (2nd U20), Jacqui Keavney was not far behind in 14th and the 3rd V50, Chloe Dalton was 16th and the 4th U17, Stephanie Stephenson was 19th and the 3rd V45, Kiska Wilson had an excellent run in 29th Pauline Whittaker was 32nd and Nicki Buckett had another good performance in 45th These results gave the ladies squad 3rd in the team race. Reece Dalton continues to impress with another top run finishing in a fantastic 2nd and the top U20. He was followed home by another good run from Rob Scott in 5th, who was chased home by the mud loving Scott Wardman in 6th. Next was Lee Davies with another good run in 10th and the 2nd V40, he was followed by Carl Jones in 14th (4th V40), Ken Harker in 22nd and the 2nd V45, Steve Middleton just behind in 23rd, Harry Robson in 51st and the 4th U20, Simon Withers on his first outing for the year in 88th and Mark Fletcher in 121st. These combined results gave the mens squad their 2nd consecutive team victory.

At Catterick parkrun Luke Hack took the 1st place to equal his pb (17:29, =pb), he was followed by Ken Harker in 7th (19:12), breathing down his neck was James Greer in 9th (19:12), Ryan Greer was 36th in another big pb (23:39, pb), Thomas Greer in 48th (25:49), Nicki Buckett was 71st (28:50) and Karen Greer 83rd (30:04). Northallerton parkrun had Katie Middleton finish in 39th and Shona Fletcher in 40th (both 34:13). Ian Christon took on the Canon Hill parkrun in Birmingham this week and finished an excellent 9th (18:23).

Further information on the club and training nights can be found on the website www.richmondzetlandharriers.co.uk