Harriers enjoy Sefton charge

●● Matthew Mackay at Sefton Park ATHLETICS STEVE DUXBURY

ASMALL group of Harriers travelled to Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday to take part in the second fixture in the Mid Lancs League.

However this was a major event as it is incorporated into the UK Cross Challenge series, one of five across the UK, which attracts the elite of British athletes across the age groups in their bid to be Britain’s best cross country runners. It was quite a daunting task but it was pleasing to see that some of the brightest talents in the valley were willing to step up to the plate.

Riley Holt has improved throughout the season and, at the bottom of the U11 age group, he looks a good prospect. On Saturday he finished in 37th place from the 88 Mid Lancs runners.

Evie Taylor was also on her own in the U13 Girls race but in a large field of ●● Joel Taylor at Sefton Park 92 Mid Lancs runners she finished in 26th place.

Joe Ormrod expected to be in the top ten finishers in the Boys race but had to settle for 18th spot from 72 runners after a heavy fall on one of the muddiest parts of the course.

Joel Taylor enjoyed an excellent run in the U15 Boys race, finishing in 17th place from 149 runners and narrowly missed out on top spot in the Mid Lancs runners by just 12 seconds to Blackburn’s Matthew Ramsden, some- one he has beaten on hillier courses this season.

Joel will have eyes on doing just that next Saturday at Marl Pits, where it’s possible he could take the Red Rose title. Charlie Taylor also ran.

Oral Holt had her first outing of the season and finished in 21st place in the U17 race and Sarah Longshaw was 27th.

In the U17 Mens race some of the best young athletes in the country toed the start line for the downhill charge to the first bend and Matthew Mackay, in his first year in the age group, faced the biggest challenge in his, successful winter season.

Matty didn’t disappoint and remained competitive throughout the race, finishing in 14th place from 149 runners and second Mid Lancs athlete to Preston’s Kian Davies.

Rossendale finished as second Mid Lancs team thanks to fine runs from Ben Forrest in sixth and Kurtis Mitton in 17th. Ben Kirkman was 27th.