Cross Bay Challenge: Organisers 'overwhelmed' by entries (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cross Bay Challenge: Organisers 'overwhelmed' by entries

10:12am Thursday 4th August 2011 in Sport

CANCERCARE Cross Bay Challenge organiser Nicki Hearne said she was “overwhelmed” by this year’s successful event in which an increased entry - up almost 60 per cent up - tackled the unique race in glorious weather.

Runners are led by special guides over the Kent channel through two counties and two rivers in the only race in the world to cross a tidal bay.

Nicki said: “Mother Nature couldn’t have been kinder – the main water crossing, the Kent channel was in prime condition, the sands were mostly packed hard for the length of the course and the combination of sunshine, cool breeze and refreshing water crossing seemed to keep runners happy.”

First across the seven-mile Kent channel was Daniel Murphy of Manchester Frontrunners , for a winning time of 1hr 20min 50seconds.

Close behind him was the winner of the previous two year’s Challenges, Paul Muller of Horwich RMI Harriers, in 1-20-57, with Chris Barnes, unattached, third in 1-21-23. First woman to finish and eighth overall was Paula Irons, unattached, in 1-27-07.

In all there were 559 finishers, the oldest a 77-year-old woman who has completed the last five races.

Nicki added: “Particular thanks are due to the bay guides who not only do a superb job of keeping everyone safe but do so in such great spirits. ”

Local club runners to do feature among the leading finishers were Robert Moffat, of Howgill Harriers, who was a prominent 16th, while Allithwaite and District RC man Simon Thompson came 18th.