Seniors Spread from Sefton to Spain (Nov 2025)

The Red Rose cross country fixture last weekend took place at Sefton Park, Liverpool. The UKA Cross Challenge field included both Club and elite runners racing side-by-side. The standard on the day was extremely high as selections for the European Cross Country Championships in Portugal were at stake.

A total of 12 Harriers made the journey over to Liverpool to compete. The sole Harrier Junior was Lily Hirst, who ran in the U13 Girls race, finishing 10th, in 13m, 2s for the 3km. In the Senior Ladies Race, 5 Harriers ladies took part in the 8km race. First home in 7th position was Danielle Dignan (L), in 36m, 17s. Followed by Juliet Smith (L50), 11th, in 36m, 32s. Third Harrier lady was Zara Hirst (L), 30th, in 39m, 6s. Zara was followed by her mother Susie Hirst (L50), 43rd, in 42m, 4s. Sharon Anable (L55), came 46th, in 42m, 40s. The ladies team (Danielle, Juliet, Zara and Susie), finished 4th overall. The Ladies vets team came 6th in their category, (Juliet, Susie and Sharon).

Onto the Harriers Men’s Senior Race, where 6 men took part. Danny Bennett (V55) was the first Harrier to finish, coming 32nd, in 32m, 55s for the 8km race. Next in 56th position was Stephen Smithies (V55), 35m, 14s. Jonny Lawlor (Sen), came 62nd, in 36m, 13s. Followed by Chris Gee, 97th, in 42m, 57s, in 100th position was Craig Howell, with a time of 43m, 21s. After Craig was Harriers final representative, Jack Liddle, 109th, in 52m, 28s. Team wise the Senior team came 7th in the Red Rose league (Danny, Stephen, Jonny and Chris). In the Vets category the Harriers again came 7th, (Danny, Stephen, Chris and Craig).

Eight Harriers jetted off to escape the wintry UK weather to run in the Benidorm 10K and Half Marathon, in the Spanish sunshine. I won’t describe the course as it  looks more like a  plan for a maze, suffice to say it involves a lot of seafront. Six Harriers ran the 10k with Neil Eaton being the first back in 1228th place, in 53m, 47s. Followed by Louise Eadsforth 1346th, in 54m, 44s. Then came Matt Cox, 1701st, in 57m, 13s. With Samantha Fretwell, Shirley Sneddon and Ray Dalby making up the Harriers finishers. In the Half Marathon, Phil Lockett and Julie Smith ran the race with Phil first back in 192nd place, in 1hr 27m, 21s. Julie followed in 3295th place, in 2hrs, 21m, 34s.

Nearer home, Saturday saw a single Harrier head over the hills to Marsden, to compete in the Tool Cool to Pule fell race. The race is 5.8 miles with an ascent of 1026ft, running over Marsden Moor. Pete Butterworth came 57th, in 1hr, 8m, 3s. On Sunday 23rd November, eight Harriers went to Cheshire, Wilmslow to be precise, to run in the Wilmslow Festive 10k. Highest placed Harrier was James Dawson (Sen), finishing 70th, in 34m, 49s. Second back, again in a good placing of 118th, especially as in the previous days he ran in the Red Rose X Country at Sefton Park, was Danny Bennett (V55), in 36m, 15s. He also magnificently won his age category. A big well done to Danny, two races in one weekend and doing well in both. He’s just a running machine. After Danny came Dave Parton (Sen), 263rd, in 38m, 25s. Followed by Jake Warwick (V35), 329th, in 39m, 22s. Harriers two ladies in the race were Corina Haynes (V60), in 48m, 51s and Linh Hoang (Sen), in 56m, 1s. So an extremely busy weekend for the senior section of the Harriers.

Further afield, Ian Aitchison, has jetted off to Lanzarote to take part in the International Running Festival. This is a series of different races held over a week. I will report on Ian’s exploits in a future race report. Poor soul having to suffer 26 degree heat – shame.

Next up on Sunday is that giant bad weather magnet, otherwise known  as the Lee Relays. Starting and finishing at Stubbylee. Taking a circular route around Lee Mill Quarry and Brandwood Moor. Let’s hope they get better weather than in the past, last year it was cancelled due to storms. Full report next week.