A large contingent of local athletes enjoyed a very successful day at the Lancashire Cross-Country Championships in Blackburn on Saturday.

The event, at Witton Park, produced a tally of 11 medals for isle of Man athletes and club teams, including five golds.

Sarah Astin, now representing City of Norwich AC, won the senior women’s race to complete a clean sweep of titles in all age groups over the years.

Manx Harriers senior women won the team title for the fifth year in a row through Rachael Franklin, Gail Griffiths, Katie Astin, Carly Craig and Laura Dickinson, while Gail won the women’s 50 category.

Manx Harriers also won the Under-20 men’s title courtesy of David Mullarkey, Alex Bell and George Dickinson.

Northern AC’s Sam Perry took a brilliant u11s victory in his debut, and was also part of the silver medal-winning Northern AC team along with Charlie Teare, Dominic Dunwell, Lucas Stennett and Cory Callister.

Macy Hillier was silver medallist for Manx Harriers in the U13 girls’ race, in which Northern AC’s Ella Crowe won bronze.

Manx Harriers athletes David Mullarkey and Katie Astin were the respective silver medallists in the U20 categories, and Northern AC’s Lorna Spiers took the bronze medal in the U17 women’s race.

A full report will appear in this Thursday’s Manx Independent.