BURY Athletic Club’s cross-country teams were once again in dominant form as they returned to Red Rose League action this past weekend in horrendous conditions at Leverhulme Park.

With one more fixture to come, four teams secured league titles. As equally pleasing as the team victories was the amazing turnout, which saw 114 athletes competing for Bury, twice as many as from all but one other club in the event. The first team to secure a league title were the u11 girls, retaining a title they won in dominant style last year. The team was led home by Daisy Worthington in second place, with Charlotte Farnworth sixth and Grace Bagguley ninth.

There was an even more dominant performance from Bury’s Under-13 boys, with three in the top five and five athletes in the top 11. For the second race in a row, Marcus Dey was far too strong for the field, easing away for a convincing victory. With Ben Forrest fourth and George Yates an excellent fifth, the team romped to victory and the league title. Alex Bennett in eighth and Curtis Johnstone, 11th, both produced their best runs for Bury and there was a fine debut from Joe Whelan in 21st place.

Katie Buckley, pictured above, produced a superb run in the senior women’s race, relishing the hills and taking an excellent third place overall. This gave her victory in the under-20 race and led the team to a convincing first place. A third consecutive win means Bury has secured the league title in this age group, a feat repeated by the under-17 women. The team packed superbly with Christie Cook in third, Katie Hurt fourth, Eleanor Boyle fifth, Lauren Booth eighth, Jennifer Smalley 14th and Liz Howard 19th. This is the second consecutive season the u17 women have dominated league proceedings. Bury’s senior women have performed strongly in the league this year and once again secured second place. Alongside the performances of Buckley and Conroy, Katie Geelan’s ninth place leaves the team well placed to secure second place overall. Geelan’s run gave her second in the W40 category. There was an outstanding run in the under-13 girls’ race from Talullah Cullen, who finished tenth. With improved performances from Harriet Vaughan in 17th and Melissa Thomson in 22nd, the team finished fourth.

Sam Brooks was another to produce his best run of the year with fourth place in the under-15 boys’ race. Patrick Watson took 19th in the same race. There was a return to form for Sophie Whittaker in the u15 girls’ race, as she produced a very strong run for third. Ben Heywood was back to near his best with fifth in the under-17 men’s race; with Harry Stainton seventh and Patrick Hanson 19th, Bury finished second in the team race. The under-11 boys were led home by Francis Woodcock in 15th place, with Hann Oliver close behind in 17th and Oliver Donnelly 21st to give the team fourth place.

An understrength senior men’s team took ninth place in the team race, led home by David Cullen in 17th and Stuart Hodgkinson in 38th. The final race of the Red Rose season takes place at Marl Pits on Saturday, December 7.