A number of the Harriers Middle distance squad were getting an early taste of the Cross-Country season, in this year's opening North Midlands League fixture on a pleasantly mild Markeaton Park.
Josh Coles led the way with a superb performance to win the U17 Men's 6.5km race in 22.56, with a comfortable margin of 11 seconds to Jordon Rackham in second place. Josh ran a tactically sound race by sitting off the early pace set by Burton's Alex Benfield, and slowly caught the leaders on the second lap before putting daylight between the chasing pack. Josh was superbly supported in the team event with Matt Stewart finishing an excellent 12 (24.21) and Liam Kirk also in the top half in 14th position (24.33), to ensure the Harriers finished in second place overall behind NVH.
Also putting in a superb run was U13 Tabby Walford, who finished an excellent 2nd position in the 3.0km race in 10.50. Tabby was in the leading pack of runners for most of the early part of the race and managed to pull clear of the pack during the long uphill sections showing her strength. She maintained a small lead over Mansfield's Tilly Birkin right until the closing 200m where Tilly just edged in front of her winning in 10.40. Beth Gordon making her debut over X Country ran well to finish in 20th position in 12.19.
Danielle Gaskell put in a good performance in the U11 fun run, finishing in 6th position overall (3rd Girl).
Jack Hope was the sole runner in the U15 Boys and he battled well to finish in 8th position in the 4.6km race in 16.11. Also running well over her least preferred surface was Fran Ashworth who finished the 3.3km race in 9th position in 13.45, Gabriel Smith also ran over the same 3.3km course for the U13 boys and finished a fine 10th in 13.14.
The next round is held at Corby on the 12th November.