West Yorkshire League – Nunroyd Park – York Knavesmire Harriers

Nunroyd Park was the scene for the final race of the West Yorkshire League Cross Country series. We arrived in good time and were ably supported by Team Manager Andy Neale, who was threatening to throw his pork pie at any York Acorn runners who got in our way. We headed out for a warm-up and to inspect the course, as has been the case for most of the series the conditions were dry and mild with only a hint of mud.

The women’s race was up first and was roughly 5k in length. Learning from her mistake at the last race Cassie Holmes didn’t get sucked into too fast a start and was in the middle of the pack with Caroline Warrington and Bryony Parkinson. Caroline came home in 45th followed by Cassie in 52nd and Bryony in 66th.

Bryony Parkinson

Caroline Warrington

Cassie Holmes

In the men’s race we all lined up ready for the mad dash to the first tight left hand bend where a bad start can cost you valuable time as everyone jostles for places. Running in his first cross country race for the club James McKenna was off to a flying start followed by Simon Collins and Chris Roberts. As the race progressed Chris managed to catch and pass James coming home first for Knavesmire in 39th. James was next in 57th followed by Simon in 61st. New member Rob Judson was next home in 80th with Barry Atkinson hot on his heels in 81st after Rob got the better of a race long battle. Rory Henderson was the last counter for the team in 97th where we finished 7th out of 14 teams. Pete Downes (117th), Dan Birch (140th) and Ian Bithell (165th) were also competing for the Harriers.

Rory Henderson

Pete Downes

James McKenna

Ian Bithell

Dan Birch

Chris Roberts

Barry Atkinson

Simon Collins

In the series as a whole we failed to field a men’s or women’s team for each race so we are not listed in the standings. While this is disappointing the series has been a hit by clashes with York Marathon, National XC Relays and Leeds Abbey Dash which has led to a lower than normal turnout.

In the individual standings for the Senior Men Chris Roberts was 7th and Rory Henderson 19th. In the M50 Pete Downes was 6th and Ian Bithell was an impressive 2nd in the M65. For the women Bryony Parkinson was 13th Senior in her debut season for Knavesmire and Caroline Warrington was 5th W35.