GREATER MANCHESTER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Posted on : February 02, 2010   Print Version   KIDS from miles around will be descending on Leigh Sports Village this weekend as they compete in the Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships – held at the village for the first time. It is a coup for the complex, with this well established event set to attract around 1000 kids and their parents, many of who will be seeing the set up for the first time. Anne Waltho, school sports co-ordinator for Wigan East, and Joe Galvin of Leigh Harriers, have worked particularly hard to secure the competition and Anne believes those visiting will be blown away. She added: “I have attended this event many times and they have been held in some really poor facilities. “I am convinced when they see the set-up and run the course we will have the chance to make this a long term venue.” Anne also feels the area lends itself to cross country with many schools not able to properly run one due to health and safety issues. “Cross country now mainly consists of running around a field or yard area – and that for me is not cross country! “Here, we will be starting at the Harriers field, up towards the railway lines, around the flashes, before coming back to the Harriers – that is how cross country should be run. “It is great for the local kids because it has proved to be hard work getting them to run away from the area, so now it is on their doorstep it should hopefully be a good turnout.” Joe added: “We have drawn and measured the course three times and it really is one that the kids should enjoy. “I think it was good for the competition that someone new volunteered to host it, and of course it’s great for the village to have so many young people down here and competing at a genuine cross country. “The race organisers thought the set-up was just fantastic and it is great promotion for the village and will hopefully raise awareness of what we can offer here.” There will be four boy’s squads and four girl’s squads, with potentially 20 people in each. The race’s will be held between 11am and 3pm.