Harraby Sports Centre was a hive of activity on Saturday with a well-attended football festival on the 3G pitches coinciding with a major youth event hosted by Carlisle Cycling Association on the Cycle Circuit.
It was excellent to see so many youngsters using the facilities and enjoying their sports side-by-side.
Around 100 young people from both local and more distant cycling clubs entered the racing which constituted Round 5 of the North West Youth League and incorporated the British Cycling North West Regional Championships.
The day began with breezy, but dry, conditions and the youngest riders under eight years old raced first.
The overall winner of the boys race was Mitch Stewart, a familiar face at Carlisle races, but as he is from Scotland, the Championship was won by the next placed racer Jenson Baglow of Team RL360 of the Isle of Man.
Things were a bit more straightforward in the girls race with both the win and championship going to Megan Smith riding for North Cheshire Clarion.
The sun came out for the next races and the under 10 boys race was won by Cobey Stewart, with second placed rider Ted Baines of Red Rose Olympic CC taking the North West championship back to Lancashire. Isabella Quaye, part of the very strong Isle of Man contingent, won the girls race and championship.
The Under 12 boys gave us some of the most exciting racing on the day, with Dexter Murphy of Holmfirth edging out Josh Stewart and Tommy Bass in a close finish.
As highest placed North West registered rider Tommy won yet another championship for the Isle of Man. Seraphina Clegg of Secret Training CC won the girls race and championship in fine style.
The next race of the day combined the under 14 and under 16 girls. Unfortunately the Cumbrian weather did its worst at this point, with a downpour of biblical proportions adding to the misery of winds gusting well over 30mph.
Every girl who competed deserves praise for their efforts in truly horrendous conditions. But it was Phoebe Taylor of ESV Manchester who led the riders across the line to claim overall victory and the prestigious Martin Levesey Trophy for the Under 16 Championship.
Katie Lawson was first Under 14 girl home to give Secret Training their second championship of the day.
Fortunately the rain stopped for the eagerly anticipated contest between the under 16 and under 14 boys which included some highly ranked riders.
This race gave us probably the stand-out performance of the day from young Welsh rider Deian Roberts, crossing the line ahead of not only his competitors in the Under 14 section but all the Under 16s too.
That is not however to detract from the performances of the other riders with very strong rides from a number of other talented riders in the blustery conditions and a close finish.
Jamie Rabbett will be celebrating the Under 14 boys championship with his ESV Manchester clubmates and James Kinrade ended a fabulous day for the Isle of Man by lifting the Bowyer Trophy and taking the Under 16 boys championship back to the island.
James also won the prize for the fastest lap of the day. Cumbrian Rider awards went to Sophie Smith-Jackson of Cockermouth and Alex Hodgson of Penrith.
The sun shone for the presentations and CCA were delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle to present the trophies and medals.
The Mayor praised the efforts of all the young riders and thanked the volunteers for bringing this exciting event to the city.
CCA would like to thank Cumberland Council and the Sports Centre staff for their support. A good day was had by all, with Youth sport definitely proving to be the real winner!
