THE third Manchester Areas Cross Country League of the season was held at Manchester’s Boggart Hole Clough and the conditions were cold and muddy.

There were 24 representatives for the club, of which two members competed for the first time.

Firstly, the Under11 years girls included Amber Escoffery, who finished 23rd in a time of 8 min.35 secs.

She was followed by Lucy Bridge, who represented the club for her first time.

Lucy finished 28th place in 8 min.43 secs, closely followed by Elizabeth Greenall who finished 29th in 8 min.56 secs and Hollie Brussels was 32nd in a time of 9 min.12 secs.

The girls covered the distance of 2km and they finished 7th team.

Next were the U11 boys for whom Aaron Leach competed for the first time and finished in a pleasing 11th place after running the 2.5km course in 10 min.20 and Matthew Dodd finished 29th with a time of 12.45.

The boys also competed over 2.5km.

Ashlea Sprott finished 43rd in the U13 girl’s 2.5km race in 11 min.11 secs, she was followed by Alyx Bridge finishing in 11 min.23 secs., with Lucy Price finishing in 50th place in 11 min.36 secs. and Blythe Carter-Jones finished 54th in 12 min.15 secs. the girls finished 12th team.

The U13 boys raced over a distance of 3.5km with the team finishing in 8th place.

The team consisted of: Michael Brussels 36th in 15 min.41 secs, Matthew Slevin 37th in 15 min..45 secs. and James Carberry, 41st with 20 min.04 secs. Anthony Walker competed in the 5km. U15 boys race alongside Ben Oldham.

Anthony finished 19th in 19 min.21 secs and Ben 25th in 20 min.06 secs.

For the senior ladies 7km course; Gemma Connolly finished 12th in 29 min.17 secs, Rachel McGoldrick 40th in 32 min.21 secs and Julia Eccleston 85th in 35 min.33 secs.

The final event was the senior men’s 9.5km race, Tom Griffiths led the club finishing 15th in 34 min.33 secs, Steve Anders was 71st with 37 min.35 secs, Barry Graney 117th 39 min.37 secs, Andy O’Connor 222nd 45 min.18 secs.), Ray Vose 239th (47 min.08 secs.) and Ian White 260th (48 min.54 secs.) for the team to finish in 26th place.