From Dan McKeown…

Photo credit Nigel Pepper

There were a few twists and turns at the first PECO XC of the season, as some confusion over the race route at the start led to everyone doing an extra half mile, and the leaders going completely off course before turning around and having to wade back through half of the field to try and regain their place at the front. Sadly, there’s no overhead drone footage of this tomfoolery as far as I’m aware, but I’ll describe it as a bit like what I imagine you’d see if you chucked a concertina in a tumble drier. 

Nathan Edmondson, a picture of sangfroid, calmly picked his way back through the melee to take first place and finished up over a minute clear of the runner-up. There was quite a bit of open grassland, making overtaking easier, but there were also some narrow woodland sections, which made things a bit trickier for runners back in the field trying to regain lost places. The good news is, we’re back at Middleton Park for the third PECO on Dec 19, so we should all be well aware of the route by next time.

The other good news is, we had a very encouraging turnout of 13 senior men. If we’re to avoid getting relegated straight back down to division two after our barnstorming 2019/20 promotion campaign, it’s crucial to keep these numbers up!

Only two ladies so far (well done to Sarah Gregory and Kate Lofthouse), but entries are open for race 2 (Temple Newsam) and I think you can still get a season ticket and contribute to the Harriers’ masterplan for PECO domination.

Results

Women

191 Sarah Gregory 0:48:33

312 Kate Lofthouse 0:57:48

Men

1 Nathan Edmondson 0:29:25

42 Steven Gott 0:33:50

43 Daniel Mckeown 0:33:50

84 Simon Richardson 0:35:14

99 Adam Gerrish 0:35:52

108 Harry Stead 0:36:16

145 Justin Pierce 0:37:06

198 David Singleton 0:38:52

219 Robert Budding 0:39:49

245 Mike Williams 0:40:46

247 Matthew Snow 0:40:51

348 Roar Leijssen 0:45:47

358 Darryl Stead 0:46:22