Northern Cross Country Championships, Pontefract, Saturday 29th January 2022 - report by Kirsty Robinson

The conditions for the Northern Cross Country Championships at Pontefract were far from ideal - with gale force winds meaning that no club tents were allowed on the course, and even the main marquee had to be dismantled. Despite this, a contingent of athletes from Birtley AC battled the wind and did their club proud. It was also great to see quite a few Birtley spectators there to cheer the team on, especially a number of coaches who continued to give up their own time to support all of us.
 
Under 13 Boys
Noah Williamson finished an excellent 8th in a time of 10 mins and 51 secs. He was followed by Callum Bailey in 88th position in a time of 12 mins and 38 secs.
 
Under 13 Girls
Niamh Phillipson finished in 40th position in a time of 12 mins and 48 secs.
 
Under 15 Girls
Daisy Graham finished in 97th position in a time of 19 mins and 35 secs.
 
Under 17 Boys
Chris Perkins finished in a fantastic 5th in a time of 21 mins and 13 secs. He was followed by George Beevers who finished in 56th position in a time of 23 mins and 40 secs.
 
Under 17 Girls
Katie Francis finished in 30th position in a time of 19 mins and 48 secs.
 
Junior Women
Tess Graham had a great race to finish in 16th place in a time of 22 mins and 40 secs.
 
Senior Men
Ian Robinson had a cracking race to finish in 99th position out of over 500 men in a time of 48 mins and 34 secs. It was also good to see Jason Williamson running and finishing in 444th position in a time of 1 hour 4 mins and 8 secs.
 
Senior women 
Kirsty Robinson finished in 187th position in a time of 45 mins and 35 secs. She was followed by Kelly Bentley in 218th position in a time of 47 mins and 47 secs.

Some of our athletes in action (photos courtesy of Northern athletics)