EAST Lancashire athletes had mixed fortunes in the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Wollerton Park, Nottingham.

Best placing by far was Lisa Richardson's ninth position in the under 15 girls race. Only two others managed top 50 finishes, both in the under 17 men's event where Robert Barton was 29th and Liam Barton 48th. In this race Blackburn Harriers provided three of the top four Lancastrians as Jon O'Dea was 55th. Other notable performances were returned by Sarah Willimott and Victoria Rusius in the ladies under 17s, and by Katie Ingram in the girls under 15s. Former Blackburn Harrier Andy Farnworth was 36th in the senior men's race running for Warwickshire.

The drama was provided by Pendle's Lee McCash in the under 17s. The Lancashire champion hit the front early as usual, but was unwell and was caught by the field, eventually struggling in 134th. McCash was not alone, Preston's under 20 international Chris Livesey suffered in his race, jogging home 112th.

Results - Inter Counties (Lancashire athletes named by club) Senior Men: 36 Andy Farnworth (Warwickshire) 38.45, 170 Mark Aspinall (Rossendale) 41.52.

Senior Ladies: 197 Elaine Leonard (Chorley Harriers) 34.51, 241 Christina Lewis (Clayton) 36.38.

Under 20 Men: 67 Nick Samuels (Blackburn Harriers) 29.13, 107 Matt Nield (Blackburn Harriers) 30.06, 175 Nick Lloyd (Chorley) 33.22. Under 17 Men: 29 Robert Barton (Blackburn Harriers) 20.31, 48 Liam Barton (Blackburn Harriers) 20.51, 55 Jon O'Dea (Blackburn Harriers) 20.56, 134 Lee McCash (Pendle) 21.55.

Under 17 Ladies: 57 Sarah Willimott (Blackburn Harriers) 21.12, 61 Victoria Rusius (Pendle) 21.17, 168 Rachel Parker (Pendle) 23.13.

Under 15 Boys: 112 Gavin Cooper (Chorley) 16.51, 150 David Riley (Pendle), 242 Kieron Rowlands 18.14.

Under 15 Girls: 9 Lisa Richardson (Chorley AC) 16.20, 56 Katie Ingram (Chorley Harriers) 17.21, 105 Hayley Bullen (Hyndburn) 17.44, 140 Carol Glover (Burnley) 18.07, Emma Ellis (Park High School) dnf.

Under 13 Boys: 101 James Rusius (Pendle), 223 Michael Hall (Blackburn Harriers) 12.42.

Under 13 Girls: 67 Anna Brooks (Hyndburn) 12.49, 68 Anne Smith (Park High School) 12.49, 93 Victoria Snape (Chorley Harriers) 13.01, 113 Candy Hamilton (Hyndburn) 13.10, 179 Rachel Holt (Hyndburn) 13.38.

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