First Horwich Cross Country a Massey Success
First Horwich Cross Country a Massey Success
The first cross country of the new season for Horwich RMI took place on a very pleasant sunny Astley park course on Saturday and was dominated by the Massey family. Dad Paul was first in his age category with son’s Thomas in the under 13’s and Luke in the under 17’s both finishing second. A truly exceptional afternoons racing. The Mid Lancs six race series started with some excellent individual performances and some great team results too.
The firt race of the day was the under 11 girls race and Chloe Fitzgerald was 56th in 8.52 and Skye Nicholson was 59th in 9.04.
Cian Healy set off very quickly at the start of the under 11 boy’s race and stormed around the course with some other very quick athletes. As they approached the final 100m, Cian had a little too much to do and finished just one second behind the winner Dexta Thompson of Clayton. Cian’s time was 5.55 for this 2km course.
After winning the Under 13 team award last year the Horwich juniors were keen to retain their trophy and with Thomas Massey second in 12.37, Matthew Flatters 6th in 12.54, Luke Brindle 7th in 13.08 and Lucas Milliken 18th in 13.49 it was going to be close. Blackburn finished with 12 points and Horwich 15, so second place today but lots to chase during the season.
In the under 15’s race Lewis Wilkes and Kieran Kinealy have moved up from under 13’s last year but both performed well with a 4th place and 19th place respectively. Lewis moved up to second during the race only to finish 8 second behind the winner.
In the under 17 race Luke Massey put his recent speed work sessions to test against a very strong field of young men from clubs around the area. He ran a very controlled race always looking in contention for a podium position and battled well to finish in second place on the 6km course in 22.39.
Debbie Campbell was the only Horwich lady in the women’s race and she ran strongly in a very competitive race to finish 7th in 27.07.
In the Men’s race Paul Massey completed the family outing with a strong performance completing the three lap course in 38.18 in 26th position. He was also 1st vet 40. With the other vets of Andy Lloyd, Alastair Murray and Dave Milliken and finishing in 37th, 46th and 51st the Vet 40 team was always going to be a strong contender for a podium finish. This they achieved and took first place. A great team effort. The senior team of six was completed with Chris Essex-Crosby in 72nd and David Barnes in 196th position. Mark Swindell, birthday boy Gordon Stone just moving into the V60 category along with John Parker completing the Horwich turn out.
Peter Ramsdale