Danny and Dani Go National!

25th February 2026

Danny and Danielle at the National Cross Country Championships, 2026

Saturday 21st February, 2026, saw the grand finale to the cross country season, namely “The Nationals” held at Sedgefield in Co Durham. Several thousand runners from all over England, descended to pit their talents against the best in the country.

Two Harriers made their way up the A1, Danielle Dignan and Danny Bennett. Danielle ran her 8.3km race in a time of 36m, 30s, finishing 161st out of 531 senior women. In the men’s race Danny completed the 12.4km race in 49m, 11s, finishing 410th out of 1046 men. An excellent result for both of them, making the journey well worthwhile.

So cross country is now over until it restarts in October, hopefully featuring both the Red Rose and South East Lancs Leagues. Sadly at this time, there are doubts over the continuation of the SEL, due to the retirements of several key officials.

Jennie, quite fittingly, at Doctors Gate

Nearer home, two Harriers made the journey down to Glossop to run in the Doctors Gate Fell Race. The race is 12.7 miles long (20.5km/1000 metres), with 3000ft of ascent, making it a very tough race. It is also the first counter in the English National Fell Running Championships. Starting at Hawkshead Mill, the race follows the old packhorse route out of Glossop up to the Pennine Way, climbing James Thorn via Shelf Benches. It then returns via Dog Rock, Torside Clough and Cock Hill back to Glossop. First Harrier back was Jennie Ransome (F60), 346th, in 2hrs, 52m, 51s. She also achieved 7th position in her age category. Pete Butterworth (M55) was 365th, in 2hrs, 58m, 24s.

Sunday saw one Harrier head over to Yorkshire and the beautiful market town of Settle. Ruth Fearn ran in the Settle 10K. An out and back route, starting from Settle swimming pool, along quiet country lanes at the side of the Ribble, going through Little Stainforth, before turning around and heading back to Settle. Ruth completed the race in a time of 57m, 13s and came 1st in her age category (F60-64). An excellent achievement for Ruth and a big well done to her.

Finally, second overseas race report of the year. Last month saw Tahir running in Marrakesh. Our next report is of Richard and Jackie Mason running in the Alicante 10k. The race starts at the Marina, heads along the sea front before going inland and following an anti-clockwise circuit around the Serra Grossa (also known as the Sierra de San Julian), a 173 metre high coastal mountain, situated in a protected forest park. It then meets up with the sea front and heads back down to the finish at the Marina. Jackie complted the 10K in 01:07:30 and Richard in 01:06:28.