Nat powers to county bronze

NATALIE Farrow was one of the leading lights from the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area at the County Cross Country Championships.

This year's Humberside Championships were held in Wakefield and were combined with the Yorkshire Championships.

It gave local athletes the opportunity of competing against runners of a much higher standard than normal.

The high-quality fields, coupled with a genuinely tough course, made it a testing day.

Farrow, of Cleethorpes AC, took part in the senior ladies' race – and performed strongly on a course which featured steep hills, slippery descents and deep mud.

She was third Humberside lady home, behind first-placed Joanne Maddick, of Kingston Upon Hull, and Emma Clayton, of Scunthorpe AC.

Farrow was also a creditable 14th in the race overall.

Club-mates Beverley Wilson and Pirjo Kivelainen put in good runs in what was a good showing by the Clee team.

Wold Veteran Runners Club's Jane Morley also produced a good run.

The senior men's race was a classy affair in which only the strongest prospered.

The first Humberside runner home was John Frost, the East Hull Harrier who also won the title two years ago.

Such was the strength of the Yorkshire racers, Frost was 'only' 19th overall.

Cleethorpes AC had five runners present – one short of a full team – while Wolds Vets had one.

First of the locals home was Clee's David Burtle, who attends university in Leeds.

His top 10 Humberside finish was good enough for 67th overall. Paul Evison was the next blue and gold across the line (12th/100th).

Not far behind Evison was Phil Johnson, who thrived in the tough conditions.

Nick Gregory and Trevor Green followed, a little further down the field.

Wolds Vets were represented by John Green.

At the very front of the field, Holmfirth's Mark Buckingham beat Longwood's Andrew Pearson by two seconds.

Athletes in the younger age groups also took a step out of their comfort zones to take on some the best in the region.

In the Under-13 boys' race, Grimsby Harriers duo John Collins and Billy Brookes were in action.

Cleethorpes trio Thomas Pullen, Harry Stewart and Oliver Myers packed well and finished within a few seconds of each other.

In the Under-15 boys' race, Clee's George Waiton ran well.

In the Under-15 girls' event, Grimsby Harriers' Sarah Collins was an excellent 21st overall – and fifth Humberside runner home.

Club-mate Katie Rutherford also performed well.

In the Under-13 girls' race, Emma Brown, of Grimsby Harriers, was an excellent third home in the Humberside race (30th overall). Not far behind was club-mate Lauren Bell.