THE final race of the Red Rose Cross Country League was held at Marl Pits Rossendale.

This is easily the hardest course of the series of races and can only be likened to a fell race over a newly-ploughed field.

This was a make-or-break competition for the club, with league position finely balanced on these results.

The under-13 boys were first to brave the chilly conditions and, under a flurry of snow, three lads took to the line for Bury.

Scott McManus was quick to take his favourite pole position and worked hard to open an unassailble lead, finishing in first place and securing his indivdual league gold medal.

Jonathon Berry wasn't to be left behind in the medal haul, pushing up to second position, gritting his teeth and fighting to the finishing line.

Jordan Harreld completed the trio with an excellent run to claim sixth position and joint fifth overall.

The three lads claimed first place on the day and easily topped the league table.

Again, there were only three runners for the under-15 boys. They started second in the league to a strong Bolton team by two points.

The lads were well aware how difficult it would be to pull the points back. Luke Harreld was the first Bury runner to make a break, getting into the leading group and settling in at third place.

New boy Neil Speakman was next for the club, closely followed by Gary Stanton.

The heavy conditions along with steep climbs soon had an effect and the field started to string out.

Luke had an ongoing battle for third place, eventually losing out to a strong finish from Rochdale.

Gary ran a strong, steady race to come in next Bury athlete in fifth place, with Neil having a great first run for the club and finishing sixth.

With such a magnificent team effort how couldn't they make up the points? The lads team came first by four points and claimed first league position.

Luke also got second overall medal position and Gary fifth. The under-17 lads were well represented with six runners competing.

The course, courtesy of the previous races, had degenerated into a quagmire and the lads had an extra lap to do.

Chris Busaileh made an instant impact on the race and, over the two gruelling laps, worked his way up to second place to lead the Bury lads in.

Ian Roberts sat on Chris's shoulder for a lot of the race. Showing grit and determination he finished in fifth place.

The third team member was Chris Harreld, who was having the run of his life until disaster struck. With a third of the race to go he lost a running spike.

Chris carried on with shoe in hand and a bare right foot to come home in ninth position.

James Colbeck was right behind Ian for the majority of the race, until he got a stitch. Nine out of ten runners would have dropped out under these conditions, but James showed true courage and team spirit, fighting his way to finish eleventh.

Glynn Horrocks didn't find the going easy, but completed the course in a good position with a strong finish for 13th.

Karl Tomany tried to run the race with a previous injury to his knee, but found the mud and hills aggravated the condition and he was unable to continue.

The lads team came first on the day with 16 points. All of them showed great courage and determination to achieve these results and should be rightly proud of themselves.