Blackpool, was the penultimate round of the Mid-Lancs Cross Country Championships just before Storm Ciara hit our shores and plenty of runners from Hoad Hill Harriers were in action.

The venue was Lawson’s Showground, a stone’s throw away from Blackpool Zoo, and the course was flat, fast and demanding in places.

A team of six ladies and 17 men contested the senior races for the Hoadies.

A field of 135 ladies raced the 6km course, with plenty of top league positions still up for grabs, and a great performance of the team of Liz White, Alison Cooke and Stephanie Gillies, consolidated third position (out of 17) and possible promotion in the senior team.

Stevie Barron helped to maintain the Vet 45 team in third (out of 10) position, while Sally Barton ensured that the Hoad Hill Vet55 team remained at the top of their league.

For the senior men, four large laps of the 10km course, in a race of 248 runners, gave plenty of opportunities to consolidate current league positions.

Leading the men home in 13th place was Dave Fulford (36mins 10secs), who was closely followed by Andrew Dorian 19th in 37:00. On the back of some great training, Mike Cubin was the third Hoadie home in 68th position in 40:10, along with Vincent

Jeuk, Luke Turner and Gary Dover ensured the team has a strong chance of maintaining Division One status and Sean Dixon (136th in 43:55) ensured third place above Red Rose Runners in the Vet 50 league. The Vet 60 team of Graham Pinder, Pat Thomas and Tom Evelin consolidated third position in their league.

In addition to team leagues, there are also individual tables in the various age categories and notably, Cooke is fifth in the FVet55, Matthew Elkington is leading the Senior Men’s and Thomas is Leading the Vet70 category.