Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships
The weather was a bit more like it for this years Inter-Counties XC Championships when compared with cross country weather this last four months or so. Those Blackburn Harriers who had been selected to represent Lancashire ran really well with some of them finishing up as first counter.
All Separate Age Group Category Results HERE
Tim Raynes got a call up for Lancashire’s Senior Team which finished a very solid 6th place overall in the 6 Man Team Race out of 31 Counties competing and 4th in the 9 Man Team Race.Tim was delighted to have been selected finishing 95th overall in 42.21 and commented “I was really pleased to get the call up to the Lancashire team, and wanted to use the opportunity to finish my cross country season strongly. I was really pleased with my race overall. Although I faded a bit in the last lap, I was delighted to hold on for a top 100 finish!“
Jack Hindle was part of the U20 Lancashire Team which finished in 6th place overall (24 Counties in all) and ran very well indeed to take 36th place spot in 29.38 and be the first counter. Jack said he “Really enjoyed the race today, it’s always a privilege to run for Lancashire and to have a good run makes it even better. I started steady and worked hard through the race. My best inter counties result. Well done to all the team!“
Another Blackburn Harrier who finished off her cross country season with a solid run was Liz Greenwood competing for Lancashire in the U17 Women. Liz finished 2nd counter on the day and 69th overall with a time of 22.17 which helped Lancashire to come in 22nd Team out of the 39 Counties. Liz told the Club that she was “A bit disappointed with my performance at the inter counties, I never really got into the race and it wasn’t the end to the cross country season that I was hoping for but I’m always pleased to represent Lancashire. Well done to everyone that ran!“
In the U15 Girls Race Maddie Elliott wasn’t in the counting spots for Lancashire, as she was at English Schools the week before. Overall she finished in 142nd (19.17) and said afterwards that “it was a very tough and fast race today. I didn’t feel as strong as I have done in other races this season, but it was great to be part of the Lancashire team at such a big event”.
Matt Ramsden had another really good run in what has been an excellent season for him the latest of which saw him help Lancashire’s U13 Boys Team to a top ten place (10th) when he came home in 30th spot (12.09) and first counter. Afterwards,, he told the Club “I am really happy that I qualified for the inter-counties and the atmosphere was great. I ran hard but I would’ve liked to have finished higher. Well done to all the other runners”.
Also running in the U13 Boys Team was Leon Thomas which was his first selection for the County Team finishing 188th in 13.11. Leon said that “This was my first race running for Lancashire and although I was a little nervous, the experience was fantastic and I was very proud to be representing Lancashire. I was happy with my performance on the day. Coming 10th out if 41 counties was a great achievement well done to all the boys that represented Lancashire”.
(Leon is 565 and Matt is 561)
In the U13 Girls Amy Davies is another one of the Harriers who has had a very good cross country season. Lancashire finished 11th just two points off 10th place overall and Amy did her bit by coming in 51st (13.26) and first counter for the Team as she was the week before at English Schools. Amy said after here Race that “I was happy to run for Lancashire once again and the experience was great and I felt a lot more confident than last year because I am stronger and older I am happy with my result and the teams result and to only be 54 seconds behind the winner”.
Katie Buckingham was fifth counter for the Lancashire U20 Women’s Team placing 120th in 27.40 commenting “yet another great experience racing for Lancashire, it’s always a privallage to wear the county vest! Not my best run, but as expected for this late in the season! ran an even paced race and had enough left to hold off a sprint finish at the end bring on track season!!”
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