Bury AC got their winter campaign off to a flyer with a string of superb individual and team performances in the first Red Rose Cross-Country League event at Leigh.

The day got off to a perfect start in the under-11 boys’ race, with Ben Forrest romping to a convincing victory.

There were fine performances from Mikey Hodgkinson in 21st, Oliver Donnelly 24th, Han Oliver 26th, Daniel Matthews 27th, Guy Webster 33rd, Toby Lythgoe 35th, Joe Collins 37th, Daniel Bentham 41st, Harry Bentham 42nd, Dylan Hayhoe 48th, Max Lythgoe 52nd and Robert McLoughlin 53rd to help the team to fifth place. The boys were outdone by the girls in the same age group, with a host of black and white club vests packing into the top places. Harriet Vaughan led the way with third, closely followed by Daisy Worthington in fourth, Charlotte Speakman-Farnworth sixth, Emma Rayner seventh and Esme Guy 12th, giving the team an overwhelming victory.

Strength in depth in this age group was shown by strong runs from Heledd Rimmer in 21st, Maya Heath 27th, Megan Donnelly 28th and Nicole Fellone 32nd.

Bury were also prominent in the u13 boys’ race, where there was another convincing team victory.

Sam Brooks led the way, finishing third and just edging out team-mate Marcus Dey. They were followed by George Yates in 11th, Declan Guy 12th, Alex Bennett 15th, Joseph Hull 23rd, Curtis Johnstone 25th and Ben Williams 40th. Bury’s dominance continued in the u17 men’s race with Jack Brown leading the team home in a fine fifth place, followed by Benn Heywood, Nathan Milligan and Bryn Davies, who took places seven to nine for a narrow team victory over Oldham and Royton.

Katie Geelan was the pick of the senior women, finishing a superb sixth place overall and second female vet.

With Nicola Ryan 31st, Lucy Hodson 39th, Caitlin Cole 41st, Sophie Sasimowicz 47th, Siobhan Guy 56th, Liz Cheshire 60th and Janet Rigby 61st, the team recorded a strong fifth place and seventh in the veterans’ race.

Cole’s run also gave her seventh place in the u20 race. The breakthrough of the day came from Katie Hurt in the u17 women’s race, with a superb second place. Close behind, Alana Grundy ran strongly for eighth.

There was a very strong turnout from the senior men, which resulted in an excellent fourth place overall. Mark Shakeshaft led the team home, moving through the field to finish strongly in sixth place. The vets team were 10th place in the team event and Josh Taylor’s run gave him tenth place in the u20 men’s race.

In the u15 girls’race, Eleanor Boyle confirmed her return to form with an excellent 14th place, closely followed by Alivia Gillard in 16th, Jennifer Smalley 20th, Liz Howard 24th, Sophie Whittaker 25th and Chelsey Lee 34th to give the team fourth place. Meanwhile, Bury AC starlet Katie Buckley, aged 16, won English Schools’ Fell Running Championships. Continuing her excellent form, which has seen her represent England already this winter, Buckley dominated the senior girls’ race to win by over a minute in 24:05.