Stainland Lions host final race of West Yorkshire cross country series

After the excitement of the club’s annual dinner and prize giving on Friday night, it was back to business for Stainland Lions at the weekend with a busy two days of racing.
By Sports Reporter
Published 27th Feb 2020, 10:52 BST

Highlights this week were second place for Matthew Pierson at Canalathon and a fantastic finale to the West Yorkshire Winter League season with the home race hosted by the Lions at West Vale.
Just a week after the club’s shipping container full of race kit was washed away in the floods, Lions successfully hosted the final race of the 2019/20 West Yorkshire Winter League cross country series on Sunday. 
Many of the other local running clubs were kind enough to lend items of kit and donate generous raffle prizes as well as turning out in huge numbers to support the event. 
The raffle raised over £1,000 to help with the clean up at Heath Rugby Club, which is also the Lions’ HQ. 
Andrew Worster took the overall win for Todmorden Harriers, while Faye Birkby of Pudsey Pacers was 1st Lady, closely followed by Lucy Collins and Margaret Beever from the host club.
Cross Country Captain Tim In the series, the Stainland teams finished: Men - 6th, Ladies - 2nd, Overall - 4th, Vets - 3rd, Super Vets - 7th
Four Lions completed Sunday’s Cannonball Events’ 20 mile Canalathon in testing conditions. 
Runners had to contend with heavy rain, wind, mud and standing water, as well as lengthy diversions along Burnley Road because of towpath closures. 
Matthew Pierson finished in second place overall, and Virginia Lewin came second in her age category. Virginia, who was the oldest person taking part in the race, reported afterwards that she had “survived with only mild hypothermia”.
Results: Matthew Pierson 2:17:54, Rick Crabtree 2:44:44, Gillian Jago 3:10;30, Virginia Lewin 4:16:26
Over in Huddersfield, seven Lions raced the hilly Huddersfield 10k. Starting from Huddersfield Rugby Club at Lockwood, the route climbed steadily up to the village of Netherton, then crossed the beautiful Magdale valley before a long steady descent. 
Stuart McCormick was first Lion home. Judith Greenwood was second in her age category, while Diane Waite and Lesley Henderson were third in theirs.
Results: Stuart McCormick 46:04, Amjid Khan 51:48, Jan King 56:31, Diane Waite 57:48, Beverley Day 62:59, Judith Greenwood 69:57, Lesley Henderson 70:06.
Queensbury RC were also at Huddersfield, with Paul Greenwood fourth in 37.19. Steve Brook recorded 51.17 at the Stanley Park 10k in Blackpool.

Related topics:West Yorkshire