Cofton Park in Birmingham once again hosted the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships and Holmfirth Harriers had six athletes representing Yorkshire.

An invitation-only event, athletes were selected from the County Championships held back in January.

In the senior women’s race, Northern Champion Katie Walshaw and Northern Gold winning teammate Helen Berry flew the flag for Holmfirth.

Walshaw made her usual fast start and led the field in the early stages and she soon settled into the pace and had an impressive run in 14th and was the second Yorkshire counter.

Berry brought her excellent cross country season to a close with her best performance to date in this even with 45th place, a huge 28 places up on 2012.

The Yorkshire ladies packed well and were tipped for success and with all nine runners in the top 50 they demonstrated their strength in depth.

Just six counted ensured a clear team win over Scotland East, who were 57 points adrift.

The next race with Holmfirth representation was the Under 15 girls and Olivia Sykes made the going look easy as she moved through the field impressively to finish 18th and second team counter.

With only four to count of the eight runners, the team secured bronze medals, though Erica Byram found the going tough but put in a fine performance in 81st place.

In the senior men’s race, road specialist Dave Turnbull may not have had high expectations, but put in a tremendous effort to not only make the six-to count team, but was fourth counter in 88th place.

The six-to count team finished in fourth place, with Dave Watson, in 147th, helping the nine-to count team to bronze medals.

Holmfirth’s Lewis Byram had been selected for the Yorkshire Under 17 men’s team, but unfortunately had to withdraw before the event due to illness.

Results, Women: 1st Lily Partridge (Surrey) 27:26, 14th Katie Walshaw 29:04, 45th Helen Berry 30:45

Men: 1st Richard Goodman (Middlesex) 33:54, 88th Dave Turnbull 37:32, 147th Dave Watson 38:38

Under 15 Girls: 18th Olivia Sykes 18:02, 81st Erica Byram 19:15

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