ONE of the most thrilling finishes in the medal stakes at the weekend’s Cheshire Cross Country Championships featured Warrington Athletics Club’s Erik Marshall.
The 12-year-old was several metres behind Macclesfield Harriers’ Aadi Whitlock in the finishing straight to the under 13s boys’ race but he dug deep to secure himself a silver medal.
“I wasn’t going to let him win. I got him about 15 metres from the line I reckon,” said the Lymm High School student.
> VIDEO: How the men’s race was won
> WATCH: Youngsters tackle the Cheshire Cross Country Championships
> INTERVIEW: Lowery sisters in the medals for rival clubs
> VIEW: 180 pictures in our gallery of Saturday’s event
> FOOTAGE: See the women’s race unfold
> VIDEO: Under 15s girls reflect on team silver
“I just ran the race and tried to get the best place I could do.”
His efforts also steered the team, including Rory Gregory and Ben Pucill, to third place.
The bronze medal-winning under 13s boys' team. From left, BenPucill, ErikMarshall, RoryGregory
Marshall looked to the sky when asked if Saturday’s Birchwood Forest Park course was tough.
Erik Marshall tackling the hills on the Birchwood Forest Park course on Saturday. Picture: Mike Boden
“It’s not the fact that the hills were big, but more the fact that they were quite steep,” said Marshall, who also finished second on his previous attempt as an under 11s runner.
“I do get quite a lot of hills when racing but not as steep as that. And the fact that we had to go round twice got us all, to be honest.”
Erik Marshall closing in on the finish line. Picture: Mike Boden
Marshall is committed to his sport and has big plans for himself.
“I train five times a week. There’s a lot of training sessions that I have to do,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say this is a hobby, I put a lot of time and effort into it. I have got other hobbies like skateboarding, and I play the guitar.
“I want to be an athlete when I’m older. I just want to proceed and do well at something that I’m really good at.”
Erik Marshall, far right in vest 636, at the start of the under 13s boys' race on Saturday. The winner, Philip Goodfellow from Macclesfield Harriers, is centre in vest 612. Picture: Mike Boden
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here