Race 4 in this year’s PECO XC league was hosted by Horsforth Harriers, assisted by Kirkstall Harriers, the venue was West Park/Beckett’s Park, Leeds. Leading the proceedings for Eccleshill was Marcus Myers in the 1 mile junior race completing an anti-clockwise loop of the route, taking in a water jump! This year’s Senior route was slightly different although no easier underfoot. The first 1.6 miles was run around the West Park playing fields following the perimeter of the fields. After the field runners then did a loop of the woods and Becketts Park. On entering the woods, the tracks were narrowwith some sharp, rough descents before a sharp incline after a gap in the fence to negotiate, before running down the track where runners entered and cross Becketts Park and run alongside some school fencing. Then entering Batcliffe Woods, where a sharp turn at the bottom led back up to Becketts Park. A small loop of the park before entering Becketts Park woods on the way back to West Park Fields via the Queen Victoria arch. Tree routes, boulders and the usual pot holes made for challenging conditions for the hundreds of runners pounding the course. Copious amounts of mud added to the proceedings with reports of several runners finishing without their shoes!! Eccleshill’s five hardy team mates did though, manage to finish with shoes intact. Leading the team home was Marcus Myers in 9:26 in the junior XC challenge 1 mile race (school years 2 to 6). A short time later the senior men were led home by Robert Sutton in 45:20 followed by Julie Steele 46:36 Brian Perfitt 46:47, and Sarah Myers 55:14. Well done folks and big thanks to our support crew standing out on a chilly morning.
