The going was good to firm at the Pontefract race course for runners of the two legged kind taking part in the Northern cross country championships. At first sight the course looked fairly flat but after her warm up, coach Hazel Clark, warned that it was a challenging course.

Cumbria athletes made their presence felt across the age groups, amongst them the Kendal AAC U15 boys. With 800m to go Fraser Sproul looked in control with eventual winner Alexander Thompson of Wharfedale Harriers holding a 10 sec lead. In a pack of 4, Fraser held his nerve to finish 3rd in 12.36, just behind Kyle Rabjohn (12.32). Then followed Sanderson (31st in 13.30), James Bowen (51st in 13.48), Henry Hunter (72nd in 14.04), John Egner (74th in 14.04), Harry Bowen (81st in 14.11) & Thomas Brailsford (93rd in 14.17). The boys came home Silver team medallists, just 8 points behind winners, Richmond Zetland Harriers. Although only the first 4 boys got the team medals, the close packing of the rest of the team played a huge part in their success, the result being beating much bigger clubs from Manchester, Bingley, Preston and Liverpool. 200 boys ran.

U13 Sarah Smith ran well over the 3050m course, 32nd in 11.21 and with another year in this age group Sophie Cowen’s 58th place in 11.42 was a great result.

U13 Jack Barker also ran 3050m, finishing 50th out of 200 in an impressive 10.56.

U17 Jacob Smith covered the 6.37Km in 23.07.

Sadly 1 short of a team, Kendal Junior men put in a great performance over 8.05Km with Luke Bowen, travelling up from university in London to compete, was 24th 28.06. Rueben Copley (38th in 29.18) and newcomer Luc Mockridge (56th in 31.46).

Although not happy with her own performance, Dr Rebecca Robinson finished 20th in a field of 376, covering the 8.05Km in 30.04. Then came Helen Barker 40.55. Hazel Clark 41.44, Carolyn Kevan 42.51, Dianne Priestley 42.53, followed by Sue Booth and Joanne Pennington.

The senior men’s 12.1Km took in 3 of the tough large laps. In form Jonny Dry lead Kendal’s men home 31st in 41.33. It’s been a tough season for Alasdair Russell, never the less achieving 68th in 41.57. Ever improving Tom Hartley was 156th in 44.48. Distance runner Mathew Doey followed in 235th with 46.49,  then followed by new club junior coach Duncan Copley.

Great performance by the Keswick AC senior men with 4th team.

James Douglas Border Harriers 8th senior man 39.04.

• Cross Country