15 Eccleshill Road Runners kicked off the off-road race season with a visit to the stunning estate of Temple Newsam House. Race five in our winter championships came in the form of the first cross country event in the 2019/20 Peco XC League. The usual format offered a junior 1 mile and 2 mile race for starters, followed by the longer 5 miles (approximately) senior race.
A misty, though not too cold a morning greeted runners and of course with the recent wet weather the mud was a plenty making for tough conditions underfoot as runners battled to stay upright.
The Course start and finish reverted to that of recent years with the start and finish being in front of the house. A locked gate also meant a change at the eleventh hour with an extra lap of the start field to make up for a shortfall. The anticlockwise multi-terrain, undulating route offered absolutely everything including a mixture of trail, grassy sections, mud, exposed tree roots and leaves underfoot. The reward for their efforts was hot soup, Kit Kats & hot cross buns!
Representing ERR juniors were Liam Ellison (2 mile race) and Marcus Myers (1 mile race) 11:02. Eccleshill’s Mens team: Rob Sutton 46:37; Dan Jenkins 38:45; Garry Ellison 51:25; Martin Steele 51:20; Marc Steele 41:41; Tony Redmond 44:02. Eccleshill Ladies Team: Kathryn Lucas 67:12; Julie Steele 46:55; Sarah Myers 55:37 Alison Hartley 58:58; Gillian Jago (second Claim) 46:40; Liz Robinson 48:24; Janice Magennis 51:12.
Well done everyone and a massive well done to our juniors! Big thanks to our support crew too Maxine, Ian & Barbara, Blu and Brian.