A handful of brave Harriers braved the elements at a freezing cold Liverpool Sefton Park to participate in the first UK Cross Challenge race, and were rewarded with good performances.
First off were the U13 Girls with Gemma Vaughan and Maisie Green, who were racing on a still very hard frozen surface Both got off to a good start and were immediately to the fore of the 80 starters. Maisie pushed on hard at the start to try and keep in touch with the leading pack and pulled out a small lead from Gemma which she maintained throughout the race and finished an excellent 22nd in 11.53 for the 3k course. Gemma who had competed and won impressively in her district X Country race only two days earlier finished strongly to come home in an highly creditable 27th (12.09) in what was a very strong field.
Next off were the U13 Boys with Josh Cara hoping to make an impression. After a little bit of jostling on the start line Josh was off to a flying start and quickly established himself in the leading pack of 5, which he comfortably held onto until 1.5km mark where he decided to take on the race and head for home. The 5 leading runners responded and towards the finish pulled out a slight gap over Josh who eventually come home in a fantastic 5th position in 10.16 for the 3k course, with the winner clocking 10.04. There were 87 runners in the field
Next it was the turn of the U15 Girls with Fran Ashworth tasting high level competition over Cross Country for the first time. On the same 3k course Fran also got off to a much better start and ran strongly throughout the race to underline her undoubted potential over longer distances, Fran finished impressively with her trade mark sprint to come home in a very creditable 47 in the field of 107 starters, in 12.00 dead.