Nunroyd Park in Guiseley was the setting for the first West Yorkshire Cross Country league meeting of the season. Conditions were good and spirits were high for a growing cross country team.

Joshua Myers started the day off for the under 11 boys on his league debut, running a determined race over the 1500m course to finish in 32nd place.

The under 11 girls were up next with Connie Walker also making her cross country debut running a strong race to finish in 40th place amongst a large field. Stella Zurek was back again for her second year in the under 11 girls, overtaking a number of athletes with a brilliant sprint to the line to finish in 13th place.

Eva Armitage made her return to the cross country league, this time stepping up to the under 13 girls to finish in 35th place over the longer 2000m course.

Cross country regular Noah Byrne was next on course to tackle the 3000m route, starting his season with a 30th place finish in a competitive under 13 boys race. Kieran Hird was also representing the under 13 boys and paced himself brilliantly to finish in a well deserved 19th place.

Next to tackle the hilly 3000m course was Abi Hildon who was returning to the cross country team, stepping up for the first time into the under 15 girls finishing in 30th place. Abi was joined in the under 15 girls race by Poppy Nutman, who showed off her talent for the longer distances to finish in 15th place on her cross country debut.

Staying with the girls and moving onto the under 17s, Natasha Quashie was next up to tackle the course, this time over the 4000m distance with a determined run to finish in 31st place.

Back to the boys again and it was the turn of Robert Harness, making his cross country debut following a very busy track and field season for him. Robert navigated the 5500m distance to finish in 27th place.

Onto the senior ladies and cross country league regular Natasha Geere was back in the red and amber, finishing the 5500m route in 38th place out of a large field of 68 athletes.

Finishing the day over the 9500m route were Tom Dart and Neil Baxter who finished in 25th and 74th places respectively in a huge field of 141 athletes.

So all in all a great first event of the season with some really strong performances. What was also pleasing to see was the support and encouragement each of our athletes received from their team mates, family and friends (it really does help).

The next round of the West Yorkshire Cross Country league takes place on the 27th of October at Thornes Park in Wakefield where we look forward to another great day.

If you want to get involved and take part in any of the remaining events registration is still open. Just visit www.westyorkshireathletics.org.uk and head to the Cross Country section for further details.

Match Report by Lee Myers