Manchester Cross Country League Round 4

This was the fourth round in this years league, and I lined up feeling a lot more positive than I had in the previous three fixtures after a good run at Ribble Valley and some good mileage in recent weeks.

This course always throws up a few early shocks as it starts with 200 metres on the flat and then a 500m long downhill stretch which makes it very easy to start too fast.  So I wasn’t too concerned when I came off the downhill stretch in 7^th place.

One guy managed to keep the effort going for the rest of the lap which is quite tough to do as the lap ends with a very tough uphill climb.  This guy was Jack Morris, a junior from Stockport Harriers who is a good prospect.

I managed to claw the lead back to 30 metres at the end of the first lap, and then quickly made my way to the front before the downhill, where I was overtaken again.  My plan was always to do the real work after the bottom of the downhill on lap 2, and by the time we had completed lap 2, my lead was around 100m. 

I extended my lead quite significantly on the last lap but Gareth Raven was charging through the field after a very cautious start and ended up 2^nd just 20 seconds behind me.  Gareth had ran 31:17 at Ribble Valley on his return from injury and is improving by the race, his record at the Northern and National Cross is incredible with many top 10 finishes in each and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him add to that list this year.  Morris meanwhile ended up 4^th, around one minute behind.

For me, it was a good win – my first of the season – and was enough to wrap up my third successive league title.   At the end of a big week, I’m pleased with that.