North Midlands Cross Country League, Race 3, Shipley Park, Heanor

The third round of North Midlands Cross Country League took place on the testing Shipley Park course at Heanor on Saturday 7^th December. The hilly course is muddy at the best of times but the 2019 edition was a real mud-fest, which made it a true test of cross country ability.

The women’s course was 6K long and saw six members of Grantham Running Club complete the race. First home was Michelle Parczuk who enjoyed the challenge and ran strongly to finish 78^th in 40:37. She was followed by: Caroline Davis (89^th, 42:42); Sarah High (95^th 43:18); Kate Marshall (118^th, 48:51); Tracy Webb (126^th, 51:39); and Claire Fritz (136^th, 55:50). The senior team were classified sixteenth on the day overall with one race remaining; the Vets team ninth on the day and tenth overall.

After a strong showing in the opening rounds there was disappointment for the men’s team with just two representing the club, partly due to clashing race commitments elsewhere. Matthew Williamson had a fine run over the 10K course to finish 91^st in 44:44 and cross country devotee Chris Toon finished 193^rd in 55:46. The senior and vets teams drop out of the overall standings having failed to score at Heanor.

The final race in the League is on Saturday 11^th January 2020 at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.