The Holmfirth Harriers Junior X-Country Handicaps took place in the fields around Brooklands Nursery Scholes on Saturday 14th of December with the kind permission of the owner Carl Brook.
The weather for once, although still cool, was dry and bright and once John, Scott and Pat managed to return the sheep to the field they had escaped from by breaching the wall the course, which in race terms is described as undulating, was set out waiting for the young runners.
The number of runners was well up on previous years and with plenty of supporters also in attendance the atmosphere was good despite a number of call offs due to illness and injury.
There were many in each age group who were taking part in their first races and although the course was quite tough everyone battled on and completed their race.
In the youngest age group, under 11, the smallest runner of the day Willow Moxon showed great determination and blossoming talent to win the girls race with a young first time competitor Florence Turner coming second followed by Violet King. Whilst Niamh Sykes recorded the fastest time.
In the boy’s race Joseph Hoyle won his first ever club race from Ernie Mays who had been runner up in 2023 as well, the youngest boy in the race, Dougie Jones had an excellent run to finish third. Arthur Gibbs ran the fastest time.
In the under 13 girls race Imogen Yelland-Brewer caught the runners who had started in front of her to win and recorded the fastest time.
Both Eleanor Varley and Erin Homes who were second and third were taking part in their first races and showed great determination in completing this tough course.
In the boys race Jacob Hoyle made it a family double when he tracked Fentze Morati round the last field of the course before sprinting past him in the last 100 metres.
The race for third place was very close with Ruben King just holding off his twin brother Hadleigh, with father Richard having to confirm which of the almost identical twins was which.
The Over 13 boy’s race saw Rowan Tivers have an excellent run to becomes another first time winner of a race. He was followed in by Joey McLaughlin who is a standing dish at this event, having first run in the race as an under 11 and is now top of the under 17 age group.
Third in the race with the fastest time was Oliver Coffey.The over 13 girls race was won by Alice Parry who had a fine run closely followed by the two Florence’s, with Florence Gibbs just holding off Florence Jones who recorded the fastest time.
Almost all the runners, parents and supported stayed for the presentation that took place in the cafe afterwards with the large crowd giving loud support to all the medal winners and to everyone who took part. A big thank you to Scott Gibbs and Pat Wood for helping me to set up the course, to those who volunteered to marshall and record the results plus to all the spectators who gave great support to all the athletes.
Click here for the full results
This was the first race in the Junior Winter Championships with the Point to Point and the Road Race to take place at the start of spring when these results will be used to adjust the handicap times.
Gallery Photos Below are:-
Ruben King & Fentze Morati – 3rd & 2nd U13 boys
Violet King – 3rd U11 girl
Otis Huscroft – U11 boys
Niamh Sykes – fastest time U11 girls
Florence Jones – fastest time O13 girls
Dougie Jones – 3rd U11 boys
Some U11s waiting to race
U11s entering final field
