Report from X-C Championships at Crossags

The Isle of Man Cross Country Championships were held at Crossags Farm in Ramsey last Sunday afternoon in the most testing conditions that many of the competitors had ever encountered. The persistent heavy rain of the previous week had turned much of the course into a swamp, with the steep downhill sections through the upper fields being especially slippy and treacherous. There were lots of high-speed slides and several muddy tumbles during an afternoon that was much more fun for spectators than it was for competitors!

Despite the atrocious conditions, a very healthy total of 105 competitors took part in the event which also formed Round 4 of the Manx Gas Cross Challenge series. Several were no doubt enticed by the incentive of the double points on offer for this round of the league.

First race away was the event for U9s over 2 laps of the bottom field. Jamie Garrett out-sprinted Patrick Cox to take a narrow win in the boys’ race, with Conor Davies taking 3rd. Danielle Barton produced another fine run to take the win in the girls race by 7 seconds from Aimee Cringle, who in turn had a 9-second advantage over Ruth Nathan.

In the U11 race over 3 laps of the bottom field, Will Morris was in a class of his own. The highly promising Western AC athlete ran superbly to win the boys’ race by 35 seconds from Harvey Neale who finished 6 seconds ahead of Owen Dudley. In the girls’ race, victory went to Katie Astin who judged the pace perfectly. She started steadily, and then upped the pace to overhaul her Manx Harriers team-mates Sosanna Cox and Rebecca Nathan who completed the medal positions.

The U13 races covered one full lap of the main circuit, and the boys’ race was a cracker. Jak Morris and Shaun Moore had an epic tussle all the way round the lap and were neck and neck with the finish in sight, but Morris showed great finishing speed to cross the line a few metres in front. The ever-consistent Moore has been 3rd twice and 2nd twice so far this season but his day will surely come. Alex Price continued his excellent form this season to take 3rd just 6 seconds further back.

Alice Ashe was the convincing winner of the U13G race, with a 34-second advantage over talented all-rounder Alexandra Ross. Newcomer Phoebe Cross made a most impressive debut to finish 3rd.

The U15B, U15G and U17L classes all competed together over the same distance, and this led to some superb racing. In the U15B race, Nathan Pierce and Tom Kelly showed what promising athletes they are with very classy runs. Western AC’s Pierce just beat his Manx Harriers rival to the line in a sprint finish, with Alex McQuarrie also running very well to take 3rd.

But not far behind Pierce and Kelly, one of the highlights of the day was a fascinating duel between the Astin sisters Gemma and Sarah. It is unusual for the U17L and U15G classes to race over the same distance, and this allowed them a rare opportunity for a head-to-head contest. Gemma initially led by 20 metres or so, but Sarah soon closed up onto her elder sister’s shoulder where she stayed throughout the race. The newly crowned Lancashire U15G champion tried everything to get ahead on the sprint to the line, but Gemma just managed to hang on. Rachael Franklin produced probably her best performance of the season to finish 2nd in the U17L race, almost 2 minutes ahead of Bronwen Kaneen in 3rd. Hannah Scarlett and Maxine Smalley took 2nd and 3rd in the U15G race, both running extremely well.

All other categories started together in the showpiece event of the day. There was some confusion ahead of the men’s race over the decision to add an extra lap to the Senior race whilst retaining the usual 3-lap distance for the Vets aged 40 and over.

Darren Gray and Gianni Epifani were the early leaders of the Senior Men’s race whilst John Halligan, champion for the past 2 seasons, was keeping a characteristic watching brief in around 6th place. But by lap 2 it was Kevin Loundes and Halligan who emerged some 10 seconds clear of the pack as they slithered their way around the fields. The two Island Games team-mates were still together going into the 3rd lap, but it was on the steeply uphill section on this lap that Halligan made his move and opened up a 10-second advantage that had grown to over 15 seconds by the end of the lap. As Halligan eased the pace slightly on the 4th and final lap, Loundes attacked again with a most impressive finish but it was not enough to prevent Halligan wrapping up his third successive title by a margin of 12 seconds. Nigel Armstrong ran brilliantly to take 3rd just 15 seconds further back, all the more impressive after covering a huge amount of mileage in training during the previous week. Gianni Epifani, Ed Gumbley and Darren Gray all found the going extremely tough but stuck to their task admirably to complete the top 6.

Andy Fox was a convincing winner of the 3-lap veteran’s race, his cause made a little more comfortable by the retirement of Russell Collister on lap 1 with an ankle injury. Peter Kaneen and Phil Cain completed the top 3, with other age group wins going to James Bishop and Peter Cooper.

Cal Partington made a most welcome return to cross country after a 2 year absence, and was a comfortable winner of the ladies’ title. She established a 20-second lead over Gail Griffiths on the first of 2 laps, who in turn was a further 20 seconds ahead of regular rival Sarah Nelson. On the early part of lap 2, Partington continued to extend her advantage, before a typically determined finish by Griffiths saw her narrow the gap slightly in the closing stages, the final margin being 33 seconds. Sarah Nelson took the bronze medal a further 52 seconds back, whilst in 4th place there was an encouraging cross country debut by newcomer Victoria Jacobsen.

Ryan Fairclough showed excellent endurance to win the Junior Men’s title, and was well up amongst some of the leading Senior Men throughout his 3 laps. This was a particularly good effort after playing 90 minutes football for Ramsey’s Combination team in heavy conditions the previous day, and will stand him in good stead for his debut in the English National Cross Country Championships next month.

Sam Brand marked his first cross country appearance of the season with a fine win in the U17M race over 2 laps. He initially led the entire field including the Senior Men, before settling into a more sensible rhythm. He finished just over a minute clear of Tom Richmond, with Jordan Cain taking 3rd place a further 30 seconds behind.

The Short Course race was not part of the Island Championships although as usual it did form part of the Cross Challenge series. Conor Delanbanque won by 15 seconds from his fellow track specialist Michael Haslett, with Eric Lee completing the top 3 some way in arrears.

Many thanks go to all involved with Northern AC and Crossags Farm for hosting their second event of the season, and to all officials and helpers. The 5th and final round of the Manx Gas Cross Challenge series takes place on Sunday 3rd February and will be hosted by Manx Harriers at Pulrose Golf Course. Sign on from 1pm for a 2pm start. All are welcome.