Grantham Running Club open their North Midlands Cross-Country League season

Thirteen members of Grantham Running Club headed over to Markeaton Park in Derby to take part in the first of four legs of the North Midlands Cross-Country League.

The weather conditions were favourable for the start of the new cross-country season as the ground was in good condition with a splatter of mud in places.

The course consisted of three laps of the parkland with the ladies running just over 6k and the men running slightly longer laps to cover 8k.

First up were the ladies with four representatives of the club.

First across the line for GRC was Marj Spendlow who finished in 34:27. Nicci Whittaker, despite being under weather, finished second for the club in 36:50.

Agnes Linnea didn't have the run she had hoped for on the day but crossed the line in 43:06, soon followed by Rebecca Harper who finished in 43:48 on her cross-country debut.

Next up were the men with nine runners representing the club.

First for GRC was Russel Whittaker in 32:15 while second across the line for the club was Dean Riggall in 36:08 with Robin Atter finishing third in 38:11.

Other men's results: Peter Jennings 39:35, Rob Howbrook 41:17, Craig Drury 46:59, Chris Armstrong 47:23, Andrew McAllister 50:23, Jack Holroyd 52:42.

At the end of the first leg, GRC teams are currently placed seventh in the ladies’ league and 13th in the men's.