Race Date 4th January 2025
Lightwater Valley, Ripon is a regular haunt for these championships and has a reputation for atrocious running conditions so when you see comments such as “Feels wrong not being ankle deep in mud on this course” and “Very runnable this year!” it’s not so surprising that there were personal bests aplenty. Some still dislike this place with Robert Cook, although much better placed than the last time that he was here even after twisting an ankle on lap three, commenting that four and a half laps is too much for cross country. Perhaps this is how he managed a pb as others remember running “up that hill” five times.
Abbie Pearse (310) mixing it at the front of the race.
Abbie Pearse continues to astound, finishing sixth and improving on her eighth position last year although she will be unable to take up her spot at the Inter-Counties in March. (Top six selected with three discretional places). An important part of these Championships is getting a full scoring team out which Steel City’s women and men both did successfully. Congratulations to all who ran with special mention to Neil Schofield who closed out the men’s team despite recovering from bubonic plague and should really have been tucked up in bed.
Early in the men’s race. Seth Kirby is visible among the chasers so Rob Byers will be nearby too.
Senior Women (8250m)
| Pos | Name | Time |
| 1 | Katy Wood (York AC) | 31:05 |
| 6 | Abbie Pearse | 31:58 |
| 50 | Jacqui Herring | 40:19 |
| 64 | Kate Scott | 45:06 |
| 66 | Karen Clark | 45:36 |
| 76 | Carol Beattie | 50:50 |
Women’s Teams
| Pos | Team (four to score) | Points |
| 1 | Leeds City Athletic Club | 20 |
| 2 | Bingley Harriers & AC | 64 |
| 3 | Holmfirth Harriers AC | 72 |
| 4 | Rotherham Harriers & AC | 139 |
| 5 | York Knavesmire Harriers | 184 |
| 6 | Steel City Striders RC | 186 |
| 7 | Pontefract AC | 276 |
There were nineteen incomplete women’s teams with some noteable absentees.
Senior Men (10150m)
| Pos | Name | Time |
| 1 | Angus McMillan (York AC) | 32:37 |
| 53 | Robert Byers | 38:46 |
| 59 | Seth Kirby | 39:08 |
| 93 | Robert Cook | 42:35 |
| 115 | Chris Ireland | 45:13 |
| 128 | Ian Stinson | 46:45 |
| 138 | Neil Schofield | 47:33 |
Men’s Teams
| Pos | Team (six to score) | Points |
| 1 | Leeds City Athletic Club | 53 |
| 2 | Hallamshire Harriers Sheffield | 80 |
| 3 | City of York AC | 209 |
| 4 | Rotherham Harriers & AC | 249 |
| 5 | Holmfirth Harriers AC | 365 |
| 6 | Hillsborough & Rivelin RC | 365 |
| 7 | Bingley Harriers & AC | 380 |
| 8 | York Knavesmire Harriers | 453 |
| 9 | Wakefield District H & AC | 517 |
| 10 | Steel City Striders RC | 586 |
| 11 | Sheffield RC | 626 |
There were twenty two incomplete men’s teams
Full results Yorkshire XC Champs 2025 so that you can see how league rivals fared.
A relaxed Kate Scott on a downhill section. (Chris Ireland)