Harrier Marsden so close to breaking hour barrier

ANDREW Marsden narrowly missed out on beating the 60-minute mark in the Stockport 10-mile race.

The Oldham and Royton Harrier crossed the line in 60 minutes, 18 seconds for a new personal best time for the distance.

Team-mate Dave Arden also set a pb — 66:07 — and he was followed by John Felton, who also recorded a pb of 76:24.

Derek Atherton was close behind in 76:38, with Maria Wall posting a new best time of 85:23. Not to be outdone, Lindsey Rudd was the fifth Harrier to register a pb in 86:56.

Keith Pleasant ran well in 87:37, Sara Bott crossed the line in 88:22 and Liz Thompson, running her first race over the trip, stopped the clock at 88:44. Julie Luckman recorded pb of 95:16.

At the latest Red Rose Cross-Country League race at Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, young Harrier Harry Collier ran 9:01 for third place in the under-13 boys’ race, while team-mate George Markin ran 9:38.

Oliver Makinson also had a good run for a third-place finish in the under-15 race for boys in 14:49. He was followed by Matthew Morris (17:18) and Thomas Anchor (18:15).

Lauren Bartholomew ran well in the under-11 girls’ race in 9:03, with sister Megan clocking 9:23.

In the under-13s’ girls’ event, Macey Scantlebury recorded 10:15, while under-15 girl Sophie Hall finished in 18:39.

As for the seniors, Angie Hart ran well in 27:39 in the women’s race and Alex Leslie (36:36) performed with credit in the men’s contest. Next to cross the line for Harriers was Tony Hart 40:54, followed by Brian Schofield (41:22) and Darren Mannings (42:38).