BURY Athletic Club continued its excellent start to the Red Rose Cross-Country League season with a series of superb individual and team performances in the second fixture at Astley Park, Chorley.

Marcus Dey was Bury’s first individual victor of the day, tracking the leader and then easing away for first place on the second lap. With Ben Forrest returning from injury for a fine fourth place, Alex Bennett 13th, Curtis Johnstone 16th, Liam Hanson 31st on debut, Mikey Hodgkinson 36th, Oliver Simpson 37th, Brandon Wilson 40th, Oliver Hudson 42nd and Jack Smith 44th, Bury eased to a convincing team victory.

Despite missing several weeks through injury, Katie Buckley finished sixth overall in the senior women’s race, taking first place in the under-20 event. She was followed closely by Katie Geelan in seventh (and third vet), with Katrina Conroy 13th, which gave the team a superb second place. With Conroy third u20, Caitlin Cole fifth (and 22nd overall) and Alana Grundy seventh the team scored an easy first place in the u20 race. Bury now has considerable strength in depth in its women’s team, with Amanda Pyrah 19th, Lucy Hodson 23rd, Nicola Ryan 47th, Siobhan Guy 55th and Michelle Yates 115th.

Bury’s u17 women were also convincing team winners. Christie Cook was the first Bury athlete across the line in third place, followed by superb packing with Katie Hurt fifth, Eleanor Boyle, seventh, Lauren Booth, eighth, Antonia Kean 16th, Elizabeth Howard 20th and Jennifer Smalley 23rd.

The u11 girls were also convincing team winners, led home by Charlotte Farnworth in an excellent second place and Daisy Worthington in third. Hann Oliver narrowly edged out his team mates to be the first Bury athlete home in the u11 boys’ race, taking 12th place with a sprint finish ahead of Oliver Donnelly in 13th and Francis Woodcock in 14th. This gave Bury third place in the team event.

In the u13 girls’ race, Bury were led home by Hattie Vaughan in 21st place, just ahead of Rebecca Gartland, making a fine debut in 22nd. The team finished sixth, with Talullah Cullen 27th, Heledd Rimmer 28th, Melissa Thompson 30th, Rebecca Froggat 34th, Millie Hughes 37th, Macy Clarke 39th, Jenna Allen-Cartwright 45th, Lucy Allcock 46th, Ellie Carter 49th, Jess Carroll 54th and Maya Heath 56th.

Sam Brooks produced a strong run in the u15 boys’ race, taking 11th place. Patrick Watson also ran well for 17th place and, with Iestyn Rimmer 32nd, the team finished sixth. Sophie Whittaker took 10th place in the girls’ race in the same age group. Harry Stainton ran superbly to finish fourth in the u17 men’s race, with Benn Heywood tenth.

Bury’s senior men also produced one of their best performances for years, taking fourth place. They were led home by David Cullen in 21st and Luke Harreld 22nd.

On Sunday, October 27, Bury AC hosts the Duerdin Memorial Young Athlete Ostacle Relays for u9 and u11 athletes. The event is staged in memory of clubs stalwarts, Lawson and Vera Duerdin. Races start at 1.30pm.