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Harriers mix it with the country's elite

1/ 3/2008

ROCHDALE Harriers entered a squad of 14 in the English cross-country championships held at Alton Towers.

The course snaked round meadows near the theme park in 4km laps. Ladies ran two laps and the men three.

The course was not muddy by North West standards, but the undulating profile and a steep hill on each lap made it particularly draining.

Uniquely the entire 4km snaking course was at times completely filled with runners, the fastest athletes lapping the slowest.

The ladies’ race was won convincingly by Liz Yelling of Bedford and County AC.

Josefa Terim, pictured, No 5109, was the first Rochdale lady home in 32 mins 25 secs.

Forty four years ago Brenda Robinson finished third in the Nationals to help Bury take gold. This year Brenda was not as far up the pack, but she completed the course an excellent 42 mins 30 secs.

The standard of competition in the men’s race was phenomenal, with sub-30 minute 10km athletes struggling to make it into the first 30 finishers.

Against this elite of the elite standard, the Rochdale squad, as strong as it was, never looked likely to home any silverware. The race was won in apparently effortless style by Tom Humphries of Cannock and Staffs.

The main competition for Rochdale at this level was for the nine counter places available within the team.

To this avail the counters were Chris Leach (41.52), Kris Robinson (43.39), Ian Stainthorpe (43.51), Andy McDougal (45.36), Paul Leary (45.54), Mark Walker (47.10), Nigel Shaw (48.05), Ray Dalby (49.54) and Nick Walsh (50.18).

Others in the team were John Purdy (50.40), John Mayall (51.55) and Phil Roberts (56.21).