Mud, sweat and tears at Barton

NEIL Farquharson made an encouraging return from injury at the Barton and District AC Cross Country Championships.

The Wolds Veteran Runners Club athlete has been sidelined for several months with a series of niggling injuries.

But the 39-year-old ran strongly to take second place in the senior/veteran men's race at Baysgarth Park.

Gregan Clarkson, of Kingston Upon Hull, was the overall winner, 20 seconds ahead of Farquharson.

Wolds Vet Pete Hutchinson came seventh, while Clee AC pair Phil Johnson and Trevor Green were 10th and 11th over the relatively flat, five-lap parkland course.

It was a good day for Wolds Vets, who put out a team of more than 30 runners.

The black and golds won the men's team award, while the ladies team took second place.

In the ladies' race, Natalie Farrow won by just two seconds from Lincoln Wellington's Lucinda Pitcher.

Perhaps raising more eyebrows than the win, however, was the fact it was Farrow's first race for her new club, Lincoln Welington.

Previously, Farrow had been Cleethorpes AC's star female runner for the last few years.

Susan Hobbins was the pick of a large Wolds Vet women's entry, while Pirjo Kivelainen did well for Clee AC.

There were also good runs from juniors Paige Coper (Clee) and Sophie Lake (Grimsby Harriers).

In the Under-17 men's race, Clee AC's Howie Davies was fourth in a field of 10. In the Under-15 boys' event, club-mate George Waiton came sixth out of nine.

Grimsby Harriers and Cleethorpes AC fielded several runners in the Under-13 boys' race. The leading light was the Harriers' John Collins, who was seventh out of 32.

The blue and whites also excelled in the Under-11 boys' race with four in the first eight – Jake O'Sullivan, Daniel Kilburn, Peter Boyd and Aidan Skelton.

Among the local contingent in the Under-15 girls' race was Grimsby Harrier Sarah Collins, who came a creditable fifth.

In the Under-13 girls' race, Clee's Chelsea Ammari finished 10th, just a second ahead of Harrier Lauren Bell.

Olivia Evans, of Clee AC, was ninth in the Under-11 girls' race.

Sleaford Half Marathon (local results): Gary Thomas 1.17.48 (fifth); Andy Ely 1.29.32; Paul Murphy 1.30.43; Ashley Milson 1.32.46; Phil Merrison 1.34.29; Alan Woodcock 1.37.33; Stephen Hatfield 1.38.09; Darren Rowe 1.40.41; Pirjo Kivelainen 1.45.00; Vicky Thomas 1.46.50; Dean Chalder 1.51.18; Bernard Fawcett 1.53.46; Keith Tyler 1.56.07; Helen Oczeretnjy 1.57.33; Debbie George 1.58.25; Jayne Benford 2.01.10; Vicky Walton 2.02.23; Linda Bristow-Tyler 2.16.25; Samantha Jensen 2.16.58.

Snake Lane 10-mile (local results): Steve Green (2nd M55) 66.45; Mary Craig (2nd F40) 68.07; Barbara Brown (2nd F55) 78.18; Paul Rice 80.19; Kathryn Pinchbeck 87.13; Lizzie Sparkes 94.57.