all photos courtesy of Ian Astin

Round 1 Birmingham – 28th October

Sarah Astin receives her 3rd place medal after the Under 13 Girls race

Gemma Astin in action in the Under 15 Girls race

Keith Gerrard in action for his new first claim club Newham & Essex Beagles

Great news from the opening round of the UK Cross Challenge winter series held on 28th October at Senneley’s Park, Birmingham. Manx Harriers junior cross country stars Sarah & Gemma Astin lined up against the top cross country runners in the UK with Sarah finishing a brilliant 3rd out of 49 in the U13 Girls race & Gemma a superb 14th out of 64 in the U15 Girls class. Keith Gerrard finished 16th overall in the senior men’s race and was 4th U23 finisher. UK Cross Challenge round 1 report & results  &   photos by Ian Astin

Round 2 Liverpool – 25th November

Sarah Astin (41) a short distance into the U13 Girls race in which she finished a superb 5th 

Emily Ashe finished 36th in the same race

Gemma Astin finished 11th in the Under 15 Girls race

Alice Ashe a brilliant 6th in the Under 11 Girls race

Excellent performances all round by Manx Harriers junior girls in the second round of the UK Cross Challenge at Sefton Park, Liverpool on Saturday. In the under 13’s race Sarah Astin finished 5th and Emily Ashe 36th. In the under 15’s race Gemma Astin finished 11th. Alice Ashe finished 6th in the under 11’s race. Well done girls! Unfortunately Andy Fox, Kev Loundes, Andy Newton, Tom Richmond and Gail Griffiths didn’t make it to Liverpool as the Saturday morning Seacat sailing was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions Full Results  &  UK Athletics Report  &  Ian Astin’s photos

(Round 3 Belfast – not attended)

Round 4 Cardiff – 21st January

Sarah Astin

Gemma Astin

Sarah Astin finished 4th in the Under 13’s race, and Gemma Astin 8th in the Under 15’s event (thanks to Di Shimell for the information). more photos by Ian Astin

Round 5 Nottingham – 25th February

Sarah Astin (above) was 1st in Round 5  and won U13 Girls UK Cross Challenge title at Wollaton Park, Nottingham  Her sister Gemma (below) came 24th in the U15 Girls event and finished an excellent 6th overall in the UK Cross Challenge series  Photos by Ian Astin – full collection here

Results from every round and overall standings

UK Cross Challenge series details & fixtures