Not very often do we get the chance to have a national championship right on our doorstep however this weekend alongside NEEMA, Heaton Harriers had the pleasure of hosting the 2023 British Masters Cross Country Championships.
Image- Stuart Whitman
The event attracted over 230+ masters athletes coming from various clubs from around the UK to tackle the Rising Sun Country Park cross-country course.
Many of our club members taking part in Saturday’s Masters Championship had run the course the previous week at our Inter Club competition and were well prepared to tackle what they knew would be a VERY muddy challenging route on the Rising Sun Hill. With rain falling most of the week leading up to the Masters Championship the course was even muddier and certainly made this the XC experience many of our hardcore XC runners dream about!
Women’s and 65+ male race
First up was the ladies and over 65 male race which was two laps in total (5.8km). Heaton had 6 ladies and 3 V65 men competing in this race.
Ellie Reed led the Heaton ladies’ home in 11th place overall and was also 1st in her age category meaning she is now the ladies’ V35 British XC Champion! Amazing work Ellie.
More medals followed for Heaton in this race as Janette Kilgour was 2nd in the V70 age category and Bill Brown was 3rd in the V80 male category. Well done both for these fantastic achievements.
The overall winner of the ladies’ race was Juliet Potter of Charnwood AC in a time of 22:04.
Men’s race
Next up was the men’s race which involved three laps (8.6km) of what became a very churned-up course. Heaton had 6 men running in this race. First Heaton Harrier home for the men was Lee Daglish who came 52nd overall. We managed to close in 2 teams in this race too.
The overall winner in the men’s race was North East-based Bristol & West athlete Jarlath McKenna in a time of 29.12.
Full results from both races can be found here.
Volunteers
A very special mention to all the marshals and volunteers that helped out to make this happen. Without these people giving up their time, the event simply could not happen. The marshaling lead by Abbie Boxshall was excellent, as was the support. And a shout out to George Routledge for the course set up.
Once again well done and thank you to everyone that got involved at the British Master’s Cross Country Championships. You have done yourself and your club proud.
*Photos from Stuart Whitman Photography, Marie Bell, Stu Kelsey and Sarah Melville.
