Ben Coop Triumphs in the Pilgrim’s Cross Fell Race

It was a depleted Bury AC team that made the journey to Blackburn Harriers’ Witton Park stadium for the last Mid Lancs Track and Field League meeting of the season. For the men’s squad under 20s Ben Gardner and Luke Drinnan performed well in the senior men’s sprints. Ben won his 100m heat in 11.8 which was sixth fastest of the day. Luke placed fourth in his heat in 12.1, equalling his personal best, and was twelfth fastest of the day. Both also competed in the 200m with Ben recording 23.7, a new PB, and Luke 24.8 to make them fourth and seventh fastest respectively.

Aryan Nunkoo was Bury’s sole under 15 boy competitor. He took fourth place in the 800m in 2.18.3, just outside his best. Ethan Statham was similarly the only under 13 boy representing Bury. He placed second in his 200m heat with a new PB of 29.9 and then went on to dominate the 800m, finishing 4 seconds clear in 2.19.5, just a tenth of a second outside his best.

For the women’s squad, under 20 combined events athlete Jemima Miles had a good afternoon. She placed fifth overall in the senior women’s 100m in 13.3, equalling her PB and then placed second in the long jump with 4.86, again equalling her previous best. She then took third in the javelin with 27.06. Afroditi Kalambouka also competed in the throws, placing thirteenth in the shot (5.02); tenth in the discus (11.09) and tenth in the javelin (10.81). Under 17 Evie Elliott competed in the 200m and 300m where she placed third (28.1) and second (45.1) respectively.

Under 13s Violette Overlunde and Nancy Blain were Bury’s only two competitors in this age group. Violette stepped up an age group to win the under 15 girl’s hammer competition with 18.44. She also placed fifth overall in the 100m (14.0, a PB) and fourth overall in the 200m (29.2). Nancy was fourth overall in the 100m (a new PB of 13.9) and second in the 200m (a PB of 29.1). She also competed in the long jump where she placed eighth with 3.48.

Earlier in the week Bury had two competitors in the Pilgrim’s Cross fell race on Wednesday evening. Ben Coop ran out as a clear winner of the event, organised by Rossendale Harriers, covering the 7 miles in 44.20. Team mate Declan Tattersall continued his good season with a strong run to take fourth place with 48.42.