A fine and sunny morning perfect for cross-country running! A great turnout on this
new course.This was the first time we had a full mens and womens team - a big thankyou
especially to those for whom this was their first cross-country race.The course was
very muddy, slippery and undulating! A long hard climb faced runners straight from the off
and then two laps of a course which took in some of the grounds of TASC and their
cinder running track, there was even a bit of road running - something for everyone in fact! 
The course was testing but everyone from Dragons finished with an excellent top 15 finish
for Richard Balshaw. This was by far the best turnout we have had so I look forward to 
maintaining this at the next race in January at Nell Bank Ilkley.
see Abbey Runners website for all details and results. 

PECO cross country race 3 Sunday 17th January at Nell Bank centre Ilkley:

An extremely tough, muddy and testing course including a water feature to rival the Badminton Horse Trials! For the vertically challenged it was knee deep and had to be tackled twice per lap! However, not enough to put off the intrepid band of four from Dragons! Thank you to Richard Balshaw, Willie Milne, Russ Hartley and Lynn Donohue, and to the hardy group of spectators who cheered us on - Ruth, Sonya and Kevin. The course was hilly made worse by very heavy going in the mud and I know the only thing that kept me going was the thought of the hot-dog at the finish. Richard was our best placed finisher - 16th, but to be honest it was an achievement to finish Well done to all. Facilities were great at Nell Bank and thanks to Ilkley who put on a very well-organised event with great food afterwards. Next race 31 January at John Smeaton sports centre, Cross gates, Leeds details to follow. see Abbey Runners website for all details and results. We do need a good turnout- thanks.

PECO cross country race 4 Sunday 31st January at John Smeaton Leeds:

A glorious sunny morning, very hard and frosty underfoot - a complete contrast to the
mud two weeks before! Four hardy souls turned out for Dragons 
Richard, Willie, Sam and Lynn.
Richard had an excellent run finishing 10th his best placing so far.
The course was undulating and a real cross- country course including a water jump!
The facilities at John Smeaton sportscentre were fantastic and the food afterwards was
very plentiful just what was needed after the race!
Please note the final race is not at Immanuel College where it has been for the
previous two years but very likely to be based around Esholt
so no excuses for lots of Dragons not to turn out for the last race!  

PECO cross country race 5 Sunday 7th March at St. Bedes, Esholt:

A beautiful sunny cold morning at Esholt where St. Bedes AC hosted a testing course weaving in and out of
the woods at Esholt.
There was a good turnout for the ladies where we managed to field a full team. A big thank you to Sam, Lyn
Lisa, Helen and Andie (especially to Helen and Andie, who in the middle of their marathon training and with
18 miles under their belts Saturday still turned up to run). Thanks also to the intrepid duo of Willie and Russ
who ran; unfortunately Richard had a calf injury and had to pull out at the last minute when he was certainly
on course to win his age group - hope you recover soon Richard. The course was muddy in parts but very
runnable and mostly firm under foot through the woods. It was testing with several hills and some tricky descents
where concentration was needed. Well that's it for another year.

                                  A big thanks to all Dragons runners who turned up for the 5 race series.
                          Also many thanks to Lyn for her 'gentle persuasion' and organising everything.

PECO Cross Country League (2009-10)