Captain Kirsty leading the way

ATHLETICS
DON’T be put off by the name as Royton Road Runners can run on other surfaces too!

A new record of 25 club members completed the first event of the 2013-14 South East Lancs Cross-Country series in Heaton Park.

Cross-Country racing has always been used by a few Royton runners to build-up strength and endurance during the winter, but this year has seen a dramatic growth in interest.

The nine-strong Royton women’s team led the way in fine style, finishing in fourth place in both the overall women’s and FV35 team events, while they were only a single point away from fourth in the FV40 competition. Kirsty White produced a captain’s performance, coming home 10th overall (second FV40) in 31 minutes 48 seconds, and she was closely followed by Becki Robinson (14th in 32:11).

Jennifer Hanson was next home for the club in an excellent 25th place (33:26), while Andrea Baker (33rd, 33:52) almost ran herself to a standstill by the finish.

Karen Mather was second FV50 in 34:33 on her race debut for the club, proving that she will be a valuable addition to the squad, while Rochelle Evans (ninth FV35, 35:22), Angie Hart (14th FV40, 38:18), Rose Rowson (fifth FV55, 39:56) and Katherine Brierley (26th FV40, 45:48) all produced splendid runs over a challenging two-lap course.

That left a lot for the men to live up to, over three laps of the same course, and they duly responded, by being the fifth team overall, fifth vets team and fourth V50 team.

The inspirational Royton support crew, led by Emma Kennedy, inspired a fine series of sprint finishes, most notably from Dave Peart (eighth V45, 42:08), Shane Reading (eighth V40, 44:10) and Simon Lake (eighth V55, 50:18).

A number of cross-country debutants produced strong performances, including Mark Wilde (46:02), Yousaf Butt (sixth under-20, 47:43), Bryan Lawton (48:35) and Eamonn Nolan (48:50).

Other times were —
Shaun Armstrong (43:47), Ian Dale (10th V50, 45:14), David Emanuel (12th V50, 45:44), Greg Oates (15th V45, 46:31), Rob Kellett (47:24), John Lambe (51:17), Simon Howard (53:16) and John Sweeney (53:49).