Alsop quickly finds his feet on the league's new cross-country course
THE NEW cross-country course at Westward Ho! proved popular with athletes from across the South West.
Almost 200 runners from clubs in Devon and Cornwall braved bitterly cold winds for the Brooks Westward League meeting hosted by Bideford AAC.
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FAMILY TIME: Torrington AAC's Marilyn Blair and her daughter Hannah enjoy the wide-open spaces of the new cross-country course at Westward Ho! on Sunday. Pictures: Mike Southon. To order this photograph call 0844 4060 269 and quote Ref: BNMS20120115B-016_C
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SPASHDOWN: One cross-country runner has an unpleasant landing. Ref: BNMS20120115B-010_C
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GIVING IT THEIR ALL: Young runners go full pelt in the Brooks Westward League meeting. Ref: BNMS 20120115 B-004_C
The mixture of soggy terrain and fast, flat sections along the burrows certainly suited Dan Alsop, of St Austell Running Club.
A blistering last lap saw him go from fifth to first to win the senior men's race with a sprint finish.
James Denne, of Exeter Harriers, had to settle for second while Mark Jenkin, the early leader, was third.
Jenkin led the local challenge with Bideford club-mate John Ward just six seconds back in fourth.
Torrington AAC had a strong showing in the senior women's race with daughter and mother Hannah and Marilyn Blair the top finishers.
Hannah was 11th, one place and just two seconds in front of Marilyn who was second in the W50 category.
Kevin Heywood, of Bideford AAC, represented the South West team at the UK Cross Challenge meeting in Cardiff.
He finished seventh in a top-class race won by Great Britain international Frank Tickner.
Gallery:
PHOTO GALLERY: Westward League Cross Country - Northam Burrows
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