Harriers on a high

OLDHAM and Royton Harriers turned on the style in the second round of the South-East Lancashire Cross-Country League at Boggart Hole Clough, Blackley.

Joseph Kershaw stormed to victory in the under-11 boys’ race in 5 minutes 34 seconds, closely followed by Alex Taylor, seventh in 6:09, and Harry Cooper ninth in 6:20.

In the same age group, Leah McDonald had a great run to be seventh in 6:09.

The under-13 boys’ team were led home by Christopher Brown, who was fourth in 8:27.

He was followed by Conner Colleavey, sixth in 8:55, Luke Brierley, 12th in 10:19, Nathan Hilditch 15th in 10:24 and James Riley, 16th in 13:05.

Lucy Kershaw led the way home for the under-13 girls, finishing fifth in 9:47.

Next for the Harriers came Jade Pearlman, seventh in 9:55, Rachel Emmott, ninth in 10:29, Megan Whitworth, 11th in 11:09, and Karla Hopkinson 14th in 14:16.

Adam Howard continued his fine form for the under-15s with victory in 15:54, almost a minute ahead of his nearest rival. Steven Heanue also had an excellent run.

Katie Frost was Oldham and Royton’s only representative in the under-15 girls’ race, but ran well to be seventh in 17:47.

Bradley Szakacs was fourth in the under-17 event in 5:03, but the same age group’s race for girls produced a mistake on the course which resulted in the runners being directed back to the finish too early. Jane Augsburger was second in 5:29, Andrea Baker seventh in 6:10 and Emma Hook eighth in 6:51.

Pam Hudson clocked 38:10 to be 47th in the senior women’s race, while the men’s event saw David Smith run well to be 46th in 43:50. He was followed by Simon Smith, 60th in 44:59, Graham Hook 72nd in 46:26, and Darren Mannings 76th in 46:40.