With all the doubts surrounding the weather and car parking at this years Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships being held at Wollaton Park in Nottingham, the build up to it had been fraught with the logistics of how to get there, with tents and all the other kit needed to sustain a full days championship racing. In the event, things seemed to go quite smoothly, apart from the blustery wind, and a pretty good day was had by all those involved. Blackburn Harriers had seventeen athletes who had qualified for selection via Lancashire and featured in U13 Girls; Senior Women; U15 Boys; U17 Women; U17 Men; U20 Women; U15 Girls and Senior Men. (ALL RESULTS).

Close to 300 athletes took part in the Senior men’s race with three Blackburn Harriers in the Lancashire Team who finished 8th overall in the six man team race. Matt Ramsden who had finished 35th in his first attempt in the senior race in 2023 led from the front this time, coming home as first counter for Lancashire in 12th place overall, putting in a storming finish with a time of 27.28. Speaking to Blackburn Harriers after his race, Matt told us “It is an honour to represent Lancashire and a proud moment for myself! I am really happy with my race and I am pleased to round off the cross country season with a strong result. Well done to all that raced!” Tim Raynes was the second counter for the County in 43rd position running 28.26 with team mate Ben Fish in 222nd with a time of 31.53. Tim shared his thoughts on the race, telling us “It’s always an honour to run for Lancashire. I found the two short laps at the start tough, but started to move through the field more as it got onto the flatter sections of the long laps. A little frustrating with the distance being so much shorter than 10k as I was feeling stronger as the race went on but, all things considered, it felt like it was a fairly solid run. Well done to Matt for a superb run, and to Ben for finishing despite rolling his ankle early on in the race.” Ben also spoke to the Harriers after his race commenting that it had been a “Frustrating day, been going well recently and was confident of doing better in this race than last year. It was great to be back at Wollaton Park. Was going well, but went over on my left ankle at the start of the long lap. Took a while to get going but couldn’t run it off. A disappointment to finish way back. Super run by Matt to bag 12th and another top run from Tim finishing near top 40“.

Matt Ramsden (3079)

One hundred and sixty six athletes took part in the U20 Women’s race and again – three of the athletes were from Blackburn Harriers. Isabel Holt who had won Silver at the Northern Cross Country Championhips held at Sedgefield in January, had a fine run again to come home in 14th place overall and 2nd counter for Lancashire – the team placing 7th – with a time of 20.20 and speaking confidently to the Club after her race, Isabel told us that she “had a great time running for Lancashire this weekend. Loved the course and venue and I am pleased with my performance. Upwards from here!” Evie Taylor was the fourth counter for the team, finishing in 98th place with a time of 24.03 alongside Keira Haxton who placed 136th in a time of 26.03 after enduring several months of continual injury.

Lancashire also took 8th place in the Senior Women’s race featuring just over 250 athletes. Blackburn Harriers Louisa Powell-Smith took the sixth place counters spot in 129th overall with a time of 29.36 and told the Harriers after the race “Representing Lancashire at the British Cross Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Wollaton Park, in Nottingham, was an honor. The experience was very enjoyable and incredibly rewarding, with the venue, course, and spectator engagement creating a spectacular atmosphere. Challenges are inherent in national races and starting 8th in the pen, I found myself hemmed in and near the back at the start. However, overcoming these obstacles is part of the competition’s essence. I dug deep and gave it my all, managing to navigate through the field, finishing strong in 129th, contributing to our team’s 8th place standing. Despite aspiring for a top 100 finish, I didn’t let the unpredictability and frustration that characterizes large national races tant my experience and was happy with my result. These events test resilience and adaptability, demanding that participants push forward, embracing the effort they’ve put in. Such challenges underscore the achievement of participation itself. It’s essential to acknowledge the hard work and be proud of our accomplishments, recognizing that the true measure of success is in the dedication and effort we bring to each challenge and just qualifying to represent Lancashire is a feat to be proud of in itself!

Isabel Holt

Lancashire took 13th spot in the U13 Girls race – a race run by just two short of 300 youngsters. Among the Lancashire team were Blackburn Harriers Millie Jordan and Charlotte Smith which saw Millie come home as second counter for Lancashire and 32nd overall (12.00) in her first ever Inter-Counties and afterwards she shared her feelings about the day with the Harriers commenting “I really enjoyed being part of the Lancashire team and being able to run for my County“. Charlotte came 5th for the team in 138th place (12.56) and was “chuffed that she finished in the top half of the field“. Again, just short of 300 runners took part in the U15 Boys race – Lancashire finishing in 27th place – as three Blackburn Harriers participated in the team – Jack Wood, Henry Ward and Alex Rothwell, with Jack and Alex competing in their first Inter-Counties. Jack had a fine run to come home as second counter for Lancashire in 119th place in a time of 13.44 with Henry in 230th place (14.36) who told us that there was “Good conditions underfoot and was brilliant to watch some of the top runners across the country, well done to my team mates and all who I train with“. Alex placed 268th (15.16) and shared his thoughts about his debut at the Championships saying “It was an amazing experience representing Lancashire at the Intercounties this weekend. Although not fully fit I enjoyed the race and I’ve gained valuable experience racing against the best at my age level. The camaraderie of the Lancs team was brilliant. Everyone supported each other and its an experience that I’ll never forget.“

L-R Lancashire Team India Thompson-Amrith (413) – Ellie Blackckhurst (408) – Elsie McKeever (409) – Millie Jordan (407) – Holly Nicholls (412) – Alice Carr (410)

Charlotte Smith (411)

Lancashire finished in 31st spot in the U17 Women’s race featuring 266 athletes. Four of the Lancashire team were Blackburn Harriers athletes – Isabella Pacelli; Poppi Watson; Charlotte Robertshaw and Freya Neild and for Isabella and Freya, it was their first time at the Championships. Isabella came home in129th spot to take the 2nd Lancashire counting spot in a time of 19.47 and told the Club “This is the first year I have qualified for the Intercounties and wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew the competition would be tough but I was happy with my race and enjoyed the course. I was proud to be part of the Under 17 women Lancashire team who I thought all ran really well“. Alongside Isabella came Poppi in 148th (20.06) and third counter, with Charlotte in 184th (20.38) Lancashire’s fourth counter and Freya in 244th position running 22.54.

 Lancashire were agonisingly close to the medals in the U17 men’s race – just 14 points away from 3rd place Kent with 134 points to Kents 120. Blackburn Harriers Daniel Smith had a good run to place 51st overall in the 290 strong field and take the 4th counters place for the County with a time of 18.49 – just 49 seconds separating the first four counters.

Lancashire Team – Annie Dickinson (1451) – Freya Neild (1450) – Isabella Pacelli (1448) – Charlotte Robertshaw (1447) – Poppi Watson (1449) – Sarah Yates (1446)

Freya Neild and Isabella Pacelli

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Over 2200 runs took part in the Inverness Half-Marathon run on Sunday March 10th woin by Inverclyde’s John Bell in 65.34 with Mhairi Maclennan taking victory in the Women’s race in a time of 71.47. (RESULTS). Helen Leigh was making her debut over the Half-Marathon distance on the road, a surface that she doesn’t often run on – and what a debut – taking 17th overall in the Women’s race in a time of 84. 59. Commenting on her social media account Helen told us about her day saying “Resting my knees has involved running on the flat over winter. Pretty fast, so not really a rest, and culminating in my first ever half on the road today. Chuffed to sneak a 1.24.59 after an excitable first few miles and a dig into the pain cave the last 2. Have some things to learn about road pacing! 17th in the Scottish Half Marathon champs so I’ll take that for a first crack!”.

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