Complete Runner Cross Country League – Race 2:  Saturday 29th October, Knavesmire

The Senior Ladies had a tough fight against Leeds City in the second race of this popular series, both for individual honours and for the team result.  The 2-lap 6km course was tough going and with the first 200m into a strong head-wind many athletes chose to shelter in a group rather than make an early break and face battling with the elements.  Undeterred by the conditions, Katie Walshaw was out in front within seconds of the gun and much of the first lap saw a repeat of her last race in a tussle with Bingley’s Jo Buckley.  Meanwhile, Claire Leaver had made a flying start and was up with the second group of 5 or 6 athletes, which included Ladies’ Captain Helen Berry.  The group soon thinned out, with Helen towards the back of it and Claire settling in with the next bunch, where Kath Farquhar was having a tremendous run.  Up at the front Jo Buckley appeared to pull out of the race leaving Katie clear of the field, however the gap was soon closed by eventual winner Laura Kirk of Skyrac and second placed Claire Duck of Leeds City, who both overtook Katie with only 400 metres to go, demonstrating their track speed.  Helen remained in 7th place for the rest of the race and Kath Farquhar gave battle with Jo Buckley who had rejoined the field, finishing in an excellent 11th place.  Claire Leaver finished as fourth counter for the team in an impressive 13th place, though with Leeds City having 3 athletes in the top 5, the Holmfirth ladies had to settle for second place.  More amber vests were scattered throughout the rest of field, with Debbie Hall, who continues to improve, in 39th place, Fran Whitworth in 68th and Jo Bailey-Taylor, who is more practised in the shorter track events, ran well to finish in 89th place.  There were 99 finishers.

Results:
3rd Katie Walshaw, 25:20
7th Helen Berry, 26:33
11th Kath Farquhar, 27:00
13th Claire Leaver, 27:18
39th Debbie Hall, 29:23
68th Fran Whitworth, 32:09
89th Jo Bailey-Taylor, 36:15