Leeds and Mansfield see stellar competitions

There were some great races over the weekend including the ECCA cross country relays held on Saturday, at Berry Hill Park, Mansfield. On Sunday, in the Leeds Abbey Dash, runners were greeted with perfect autumn weather. Upcoming stars. Adam Craig and Fionnula Ross, shone through with 29:08 and 33:30 PB winning performances whilst the Richard Burton 10k threw together an impressive field with Matt Clowes claiming the win in 30:28.

Some of the biggest events were:

Provisional results *

English Cross Country Relays 

Leeds City claimed the men’s title after leading on the second of the 5K legs and edging clear from all pursuers as the race unfolded. The first leg saw Jamie Williamson (handicap -5.4) of Loughborough University heading the stream of runners ahead of Ossama Meslek (handicap -5.4) and Linton Taylor of (handicap -3.8) Leeds' B team – all the more ominous for Leeds' rivals given Williamson was a lone runner for the Midlands club.

So it proved as the Leeds athletes popped out consistent times to repel all challengers. Graham Rush (handicap -4.9) first established a lead for the Yorkshire club. Emile Cairess (handicap -4.6) piled on the pressure at the front for Leeds, while on the final stage, Phil Seseman (handicap -5.3) was relentless for the champions in waiting.

Richard Allen (handicap -5.4) ensured Aldershot, Farnham and District took silver. On anchor for Birchfield was sub 1:45 800m man Elliot Giles (handicap -6.0) and showing his endurance, as he took his team to the bronze medals with a 15:18 leg, which augurs wells for the GB cross country relay team at the upcoming European Cross Country Championships in December.

Although Emily Hosker-Thornhill (handicap -1.0) was first on the opening leg by over 20 seconds for Aldershot, it was Tonbridge who were more than ready to take control. Lucy Reid (handicap 0.0) boldly turned a 50 metre deficit into a huge lead. Game over.  Ashley Gibson (handicap 1.0) was on the anchor for Tonbridge,and eased further away with a 10:01 split, while Laura Gent (handicap 1.3) was comfortable in second, clocking 10:11. Rotherham moved from 11^th on the first leg to secure bronze, Lori Handbury’s (handicap 1.2) 10:05 a handy clocking on an increasingly blustery cool day. 

Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash 10k

Adam Craig (handicap -5.0) continued his meteoric rise up the rankings with a landmark win at the Leeds Abbey Dash, showing his rivals a clean pair of heels. He backed up his victory at the Great Scottish 10K with a clear win, setting a new personal best of 29.08. Jack Martin (handicap -4.8) and Couch to 5k graduate, Lucian Allison (handicap -4.7) completed the podium with  29.27 and 29.33 respectively.

In the women’s race it was a personal best for Northern Ireland’s Fionnuala Ross (handicap -0.5) who took the spoils, breaking the tape in 33.31 (30:30 Chip) to hold off Scots Mhairi Maclennan (handicap -0.4) and Stephanie Pennycook (handicap 0.2) who also posted PB's of 33.36 and 33.49 respectively.

Richard Burton 10k

At the Richard Burton 10k Matt Clowes (handicap -5.8) had a good win in 30:28 ahead of Jon Hopkins (handicap -4.1) and James Hunt (handicap -3.3), with Carys Hughes (handicap 3.2) winning the women's event in 38:25.

Parkrun results here

Other results here