BLACKBURN Harriers members were out in force at the Northern Cross Country Championships in Pontefract.

In the men’s race, which Stockport Harriers’ Andy Davies won after holding off the challenge of Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee, Matt Nuttall led the Harriers’ charge in 94th in 43 minutes and 4 seconds.

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He was backed by Chris Davies (117th in 43mins 45secs), Shaun Livesey (151st in 44mins 53secs), Chris Balderson (405th in 51mins 42secs), John Cookson (511th in 56mins 1secs) and Richard Taylor (635th in 62mind 48secs).

Helen Leigh was an excellent 22nd in the women’s race in 31mins 43secs and afterwards her place in the Lancashire women’s team for the Inter-Counties Championships was confirmed.

She was followed by Beckie Taylor (80th in 35mins 2secs) and Jan Buckingham (288th in 46mins 14secs).

In the junior women’s race Katie Buckingham was 42nd in 23mins 9secs while in the U-17s women’s race Liz Greenwood and Grace Handley were an impressive 11th and 17th in 18mins 11secs and 18mins 27secs respectively.

Following up in 77th was Kelsey Rutherford in 21mins 59secs.

Amy Davies gained great experience by finished 50th in the U13s girls race in 12mins 45secs.

Jamie Teare and Daniel Brown competed in the U13s boys race, the former passing the post in 84th in 12mins 18secs and the latter in 162nd in 13mins 32secs.

The improving Megan Clarkson raced to 39th place in the U15s girls race in 17mins 1secs, followed by Hannah Cookson in 88th in 18mins 10secs.

Nicholas Smith placed 126th in 16mins 27secs in the U15s boys’.

At the Inskip Half Marathon, meanwhile, the Harriers’ Shaun Livesey enjoyed a great run.

He posted a big personal best at the distance when finishing fourth overall and as the second fastest MV40 in 74mins 4secs.