Mansfield U17s shine at national cross country relays

With over 200 clubs and most of the top cross country runners from all over England competing, any team achieving a top 10 position could consider it an excellent achievement.

The U17s team were the top performing team from Mansfield Harriers, finishing in an excellent eighth position, also being the top-placed club from the Midlands.

Archie Raynar ran first leg and came home in first position, running the sixth fastest time of the day in 9.08.

Alex Reiley continued the good work, maintaining Mansfield’s presence contesting at the head of the field, dropping only one place to second in running 9.32.

Cameron Walker had a difficult task on leg three, when the other top clubs ran their fastest runners, but still did well to bring the West Notts-based club home in an excellent top 10 position, clocking 10.13 for his leg.

The U17 ladies squad of Beth Williams, Alice Venderlesen and Jade Bacon combined to finish a very creditable 34th with the girls’ B team of Phille Mitchell, Emma Cundy and Jessica Tomlinson not far behind in 52nd position.

A mix-up by the officials prevented the Mansfield third leg runner in the girls’ U15s going off at the right time when the club was placed 42nd after two legs.

The team of May Roberts, Hannah Shaw and Eleanor James would undoubtedly have finished in a very creditable position in the top half of the quality field had the officials been on the ball.

In the U13 girls’ race the Mansfield trio of Hannah Shakespeare, Rebecca Hyatt and Abi Kemp finished 88th.

The club’s senior ladies’ A team of Kahli Johnson (12.20), Helen James (13.25) andHannah Hardy and (11.17) finished 57th.

The B team of Amanda Hardy, Amanda Shaw and Eva Williams finished 88th with the C team of Catherin Hough, Sharon Armatage and Rachel Chadwick 91st.

England international runner Mark Johnson was the quickest of the Mansfield runners in the senior men’s race, clocking 16.11 for the 5k course.

Mark was supported by Phil Shaw (19.12), Lewis Ashmore (17.26) and Paul Butcher (17.20) for the Mansfield Harriers team to close in 55th position.

Finishing in 109th position was the Mansfield B team of Chris Ashmore, Gary Morley, Steve Davies and Tim Raynor.ith the club’s other team finishing in 136th, made up of Jon Hardy, Julian Wood, Dave Blount and Trevor Hiscox.