Nine medals for Harriers; Northern AC claim a bronze

Manx Harriers equalled their best ever medal haul in the Lancashire Cross Country Championship on Saturday.

And it was the women who led the way as the athletics team returned home with nine medals overall.

Rachael Franklin took gold in the women’s race finishing 45 seconds clear of the field, as did Gail Griffiths in the veteran’s over 45 event, sealing fourth place overall.

And with Caroline Mayers 14th overall and gaining a silver as the second vet over 40, that ensured the team gold for the women.

The men’s team also fared well with silver medals for both the men’s and men veteran teams.

In the senior men, Ollie Lockley was 10th overall and the second under 20 finisher to claim silver.

Alan Corlett was 13th overall, Ed Gumbley 18th, Michael Garrett 21st (second over 40 finisher).

Stephen Garrett was the sixth under 20 finisher in 34th position overall with Gianni Epifani the third veteran over 40 to finish – 36th place overall.

Debutant Paul Sykes was 42nd, Chris Quine 61st, Murray Lambden 79th and Andy Fox just outside the top 100.

There were 123 finishers.

Harriers’ juniors also did well in the under 15, under 13 and under 11 events, while Northern AC sealed a bronze through Olivia Morris in the under 11 girls event.

David Mullarkey was 11th in the under 15 boys and there were some fourth and fifth place finishes in a fine showing from the northern club.