WARRINGTON Athletics Club stalwart Jim Russell described the conditions for the second round of this year’s Neville Jones Schools Cross Country League as the worst to date.

The regular course route for this popular annual event at Walton Gardens was so muddy that the start line had to be narrowed, so that runners didn’t sink!

While some youngsters revelled in the sticky terrain – leading to some runners losing their footwear at stages – for others the combination with the bitterly cold temperature proved too much.

Despite these circumstances, the day got underway with the primary school girls’ race in which there was a record turnout of 164 finishers with the win going to Ellie Barker (St Elphins) in 7mins 45secs.

Warrington Guardian:

Her second win of the series came ahead of twins Cara and Sinead Gregory (St Monicas) with times of 8mins 10secs and 8mins 13secs respectively.

St Monicas won the team race on 31 points from Broomfields, 54, and Cherry Tree, 92.

Warrington Guardian:

Chapelford Village Primary School cross country team

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

In the primary boys’ race Tyreece Swinton (Broomfields) was the winner for the second time in 7mins 11secs from Ewan Flannery (Appleton Thorn) 7mins 16secs and Isaac McGuffie (8mins 13secs).

The team race was won by Cherry Tree on 49 points from Broomfields, 64, and St Wilfrids, 76.

Imogen Wharton (Cardinal Newman) won the year seven girls’ race in 11mins 58secs with her twin Nia second in 12mins 11secs.

Warrington Guardian:

Third place went to Esme Heavey (Bridgewater) in 12mins 30secs, helping her team to first place on 18 points with Cardinal Newman second on 22 points.

In the year seven boys’ race Jack Marwood (Lymm) continued his winning streak with victory in 10mins 59secs from Matthew Seddon (Cardinal Newman) 11mins 32secs and Jacob Pryor (King’s Leadership) in 11mins 36secs.

Warrington Guardian:

Bridgewater were the only complete team with 26 points.

Great Sankey’s Alice Nicholson won the year eight and nine girls’ race in 12mins 05secs form Harriet Bell (Bridgewater) 12mins 46secs and Evie Owen (Beamont) 13mins 28ses.

In the boys’ race Alex Rix (Bridgewater) won in 11mins 30secs from Anthony Madew (Great Sankey) 12mins 21secs and Kasper Sowiak (Bridgewater) 12mins 33secs.

Bridgewater were the only complete team on 17 points.

Warrington Guardian:

Big smiles before the year eight, nine, 10 and 11 girls race

There was a battle royal throughout the year 10 and 11 girls’ event with Jess Connolly (Bridgewater) and Jasmine Jones (Lymm) locked together.

Warrington Guardian:

Just after halfway Jasmine took the lead and pushed on to try to break away but Jess hung on and with around 250 metres to go closed up and passed here Warrington Athletics Club colleague.

Jasmine was not finished yet and fought all the way to the line but Jess held on to win in 11mins 36secs by one second.

See the full gallery of pictures above