Harriers Bowl them over at Bolesworth – National Cross Country Championships 2023

ROCHDALE HARRIERS & A.C. were represented at the 2023 English National Cross Country Championships at Bolesworth Castle, Chester last weekend.

This year was the 135th running of the Senior Men’s Championship race which has been contested every year since 1876, barring the period of the two world wars and 2021’s pandemic write off.

Wearing the black, red and gold vest of Rochdale, Danny Bennett, Andrew Martin, Jeff McCarthy and Ian Stainthorpe lined up as part of the 1473 strong field ready to take on the 12k / 7.5 mile grassy route in the grounds of the historic estate.

The herd of over 1000 runners charging off at the gun is quite the sight to see and the pace at which the front runners sustain something else!

Following two large undulating laps, Danny Bennett was the first Rochdale man back in 499th place and a time of 45:09. Andrew Martin followed in 1089th position after 54:01. Jeff McCarthy was 1231st in a time of 57:10, with Ian Stainthorpe 1363rd after 1:01:45.

James Kingston of Tonbridge AC wrote his name into the history books claiming the title in a time of 36:01 with Jack Gray of Cambridge & Coleridge AC and David Stone of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers completing the podium places respectively.

The Senior Women’s Championship race was celebrating its 90th event this year with a two lap circuit making an 8k / 5 mile route.

Jill Barton, Danielle Dignan and Jenny Ransome wore the Rochdale colours in an equally impressive tidal wave of 773 runners streaming around the grassy, wavey course.

Jenny Ransome claimed the Rochdale bragging rights returning back in 364th place with a time of 40:41, followed by Jill Barton in 453rd after 43:02 with Danielle Dignan 566th in a time of 45:50.

Sarah Astin of Belgrave Harriers claimed the trophy in a time of 29:28 with Gemma Steel of Charnwood AC and Niamh Bridson-Hubbard taking silver and bronze respectively.

The coming weekend (4th/5th March 2023) is set to be a busy one for the runners of Rochdale with the final fixture of the South East Lancs Cross Country series at Heaton Park on Saturday, the Trafford 10k in the club’s Road Race Championships and the first race of the club’s Fell Running Championships season at the Ian Roberts Memorial Fell Race around the moorland above Marsden both on Sunday 5th March.