North Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Championships 4th February 2006

Richmond and Zetland Harriers had 11 athletes take part in the North Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Championships at Skipton on Saturday 4th February, resulting in some excellent performances and selection for the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Mansfield in March. Race distances vary according to age group and teams are divided into school areas throughout North Yorkshire.

Philip Fitzpatrick and James Brownfield-Pope represented the Senior Boys, finishing 5th and 12th respectively, with Philip going on to compete for North Yorkshire at Mansfield. Doug Roberts put in another top performance, finishing in 2nd place and also gaining the right to make the trip to Mansfield, followed by Adam Scott in 39th position, both running in the Inter Boys age group.

Marc Scott continued his outstanding form, winning his race in the Year 7 age group and becoming North Yorkshire Cross Country champion in the process, as year 7 do not compete in the finals. Richmond and Zetland team-mate Thomas Allen, produced another strong run, crossing the line in 32nd place for the Junior Boys.

The girls were also in great shape, with Jessie Roberts taking 2nd position for the Senior Girls and becoming the third Harrier to book her place to the finals in March. Jo Adams, Katie Roberts and Rosie Adams all had excellent performances in the Inter Girl’s race, finishing in 8th, 21st and 25th positions, while Charlotte Dinsdale continued her strong comeback with 23rd place in the Year 7 Girl’s category.

RZH Results: Senior Boys – 5th Philip Fitzpatrick & 12th James Brownfield-Pope. Inter Boys – 2nd Doug Roberts & 39th Adam Scott. Year 7 Boys – 1st (& North Yorkshire Schools Champion) Marc Scott. Junior Boys – 32nd Thomas Allen. Senior Girls – 2nd Jessie Roberts. Inter Girls – 8th Jo Adams, 21st Katie Roberts & 25th Rosie Adams. Year 7 Girls – 23rd Charlotte Dinsdale.

Yorkshire Veterans Cross Country Championships-Leeds 5th February 2006

Several senior members of the club were in action the following day at the Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Championships at Bramley Park, Leeds and again recorded some outstanding results. Ages in the Vets categories range from 35 to over 70 years and each athlete competes within their respective age group.

Jon Orange

Heather Halliday has had a wonderful Cross Country season so far and this was underlined again by her performance on this occasion. She finished in 9th position overall, from 73 runners and just to emphasise the level of competition, finished 5th in her age group. The men also produced excellent results, with the highlight of the day being Jon Orange’s 2nd place overall, only 6 seconds behind the winner and taking the M40 age group title. Shaun Purkiss was another in fine form, finishing 26th and was followed by Paul Roberts in 34th place, who along with Chris Peacock in 74th, took 4th team place. Taff Rogers was also running well, with a solid result in 78th place and Brian Halliday close behind in 81st position.

RZH Results: Vet Ladies – 9th Heather Halliday (& 5th F45). Vet Men – 2nd Jon Oranage (& 1st M40), 26th Shuan Purkiss, 34th Paul Roberts, 74th Chris Peacock, 78th Taff Rogers & 81st Brian Halliday – Team 4th.