LEVERHULME Park was the setting for the Greater Manchester XC Championships with several Bolton United Harriers appearing and performing well in the county level meeting, writes Steve Houghton.

There was early drama for Bolton’s Under-15 girls when Maya Erzan-Essien fell from the leading group and lost a shoe. From 43rd and last place, gritty determination saw her move up the field by nine positions on the second lap to claim 34th place in a time of 21mins 07secs. Her younger sister Madeline (20:28) was able to record a rare finish in front of her sibling, though Molly Philbin led home the Blue Vest contingent in 19:31 (14th), with Leah Rushworth (21.42) also appearing in the team line-up.

Even the usual quality of Bolton United Harriers’ event-hosting organisation could not alter the recent effects of the weather though. A rain deluge over the last few days meant the fabled water crossing had become waist-deep, prompting a course change.

For all age-groups from U17s upwards, the big lap of 3.3km was reduced by 625m and 50m of climbing, much to the chagrin of Bolton’s runners who excel at endurance.

Rachel Bailey was the first Blue Vest to experience the unexpected shortening, starring for the U17 girls in taking a creditable ninth place from the competitive 22 field and recording a time of 22.32. Katie Oakley (23.32) and Mercedes Mercer (25.03) also completed the muddy route. U20s Declan Toomey registered 22:57 (7/12) while Nicola Cartridge continued her recent good performances over the same two-lap course with 27:54 (16/51) as Bolton’s only Senior Woman; Stockport’s Louise Rudd took victory (23.35).

For the men, Tommy Harrison and Karl Darcy worked together around the three laps before battling it out down the finishing straight.

Harrison (32:13) held off Darcy (32:14) by just one second for 16th position. In 19th, Frazer Jardine (32:33) superbly began his comeback from a calf injury while M40 veteran John Knowles (31st) was the team’s fourth counter in 33.53.

Andrew Crickmore clinched 49th place and recorded 36.17, Scott Crompton (36.53 – 56th) and Chris Povey (37.25 – 62nd) were also amongst the 119 field, who all followed Salford’s winning Carl Hardman (29.19).

Elsewhere, Julia Winogrodzka began 2016 just as she finished 2015 with good performances in multiple events at the Leeds City AC Indoor Open Meeting.

In winning the long jump, she also set a new U13s club record of 4.45m. She duly collected High Jump silver (1.30m) and a bronze in the 60m Hurdles (10.9s). Meanwhile, at the Sale Harriers Open at SportCity, Georgia Lever clocked 8.06s for the 60m (U17s), while in the same age-group, Hannah Kelly registered 26.35s for 200m.

Jack Dickinson (U20s) finished in 23.68s over the same distance and Ellie Gettinby (U17) cleared 2.78m in the Pole Vault. The Northern Masters Smithills 10K and 5K saw Ken Fowler complete the 10K in 48:55 (first M60) and Alan Fielding finish the 5K in 33:43 (first M65).

The annual Bolton 10K race, hosted by Bolton United Harriers on Sunday, April 24 is ideal for those wishing to target a challenge for the New Year, perhaps as part of a get-fit regime.

An Early Bird discount is available for entries received before January 31. Runners interested in taking part should go to the event website www.bolton10k.org for more information.