So close to national glory for Mansfield Harriers in Masters

The event attracted 130 teams from around the UK to compete in a five man relay with each athlete covering two miles on a twisty undulating two lap course around the athletics complex.

Mark Johnson, still bristling from his successful England debut the previous weekend, kickstarted the Harriers charge on leg one.

Johnson wasted no time in getting to the front of the pack, closely followed by Tipton’s Nigel Stirk, Les Ball from Lincoln Wellington AC and Leicester Coritainian Gordan Lee.

By the start of lap two Johnson dug deep and the gaps quickly opened, leaving Johnson 15 seconds clear of Stirk as the Harrier crossed the line in 10 minutes and one second, which turned out to be the fastest time of the day, earning the Mansfield man yet another gold medal to add to his ever increasing tally.

On leg two it was the turn of Andrew Wilson to try to hold on to the 15 second advantage for the Mansfield outfit, and hold on he did, crossing the line still in first spot in a time of 10.56.

He passed on to club mate Faz Fahay on leg three, who was being rapidly chased down by a strong Tipton Harriers team, eventually being caught with 800m to go, Fahay hanging on grimly to second spot in a time of 11.31.

By leg four the writing was on the wall for the Mansfield club as Bournville,Salford and Tipton all threw on their big guns in a bid for the medals.

Harrier Jonny Lowe took up the challenge but was eventually overtaken as the Blue and Green vest of the Harriers sank back into fourth spot and out of the medals, Lowe crossing the line in 11.36.

The final leg saw Paul Butcher make a valiant effort to get Mansfield back on terms and, although closing down on third place in the latter stages, Butcher was left with too much to do, finishing 30m adrift of the medals in 10.39.

With the title going to Bournville, silver to Salford, and bronze to Tipton, the Mansfield squad were left wondering what might have been.

Mansfield B team also gave a good account of themselves in the same event through Phil Shaw 12.15, Dave Peet 12.45, Dave Blount 11.35, Pete Stafford 11.55 and Steve Davies 13.00.