Saturday’s Northern Cross Country Championships held at Knowlsley Safari Park on Merseyside will be regarded as one of the toughest in recent history.
Steve Vernon became the first men’s five times winner with a convincing victory over club team mate Patrick Martin as the duo made it a one-two for the Club over the tough snow laden course.
Alex O'Gorman was next home for the team, Jack Martin 11th, Andrew Nixon 14th, Mike Sawrey 71st and Jamie Loxam marked his 26th year running for Stockport with a creditable 78th and James Scott-Buccleuch finishing 111th, James Corden 160th, Phil Burns 238th and Graham Marsland 330th.
The men’s team managed five runners home in the first fourteen but it wasn’t enough to secure the team title as Leeds City strength in depth managed to take the six men team title.
Steve’s fifth win as a senior surpasses running legends Ron Hill and Trevor Wright and it must also be noted that Steve won the Junior Northern Cross Country Championships twice
Senior Women Northern Cross Country Champions
The Senior Women’s team have grown in stature over the cross season after a fourth place at the National Cross Country Championships back in November.
But Saturday they made club history to become the club's first ever Northern Senior Women’s Champions.
All four of the team finishing in the top 40 that sealed the win by just one point from Hallamshire Harriers.
Elle Baker took second coming through strong in the latter stages with Katie Good 10th, Louise Rudd 27th, Lyndsay Clarke 40th and Jenny Knass in 88th.