05 November 2012

The only domestic event of note was the English Cross Country Relays, which saw another huge entry for races over all the age groups.

English Cross Country Relays, Mansfield, November 3

Birchfield won the women’s race, largely thanks to the efforts of Hannah Walker (Bud Baldaro). The 21 year-old, who ran for Britain in the European Cup 10,000m at Bilbao this year, ran the fastest leg of  9:46.65 in moving her club from 24th to first on leg two.

Leigh’s Lauren Howarth (Self-coached) was the only other runner inside 10 minutes with 9:54.25.

Shaftesbury Barnet were a close second, just over five seconds back, while Aldershot were a further 10 seconds back in third.

Aldershot though dominated the under-20 race taking first and second team with their European Junior  Cross Country Champion Emelia Gorecka (Mick Woods) the outstanding performer, clocking the fastest leg with 8:26.30.

Belgrave won the men’s race as they fielded two newcomers in the Spanish Lozano de Pedro brothers. They won by 19 seconds from Leeds City.

2011 National Cross Country winner Steve Vernon (David Turnbull) ran the fastest time of 15:17.15 for third placed Stockport.

Shaftesbury Barnet won a very tight junior men’s race which saw less than six seconds covering the first three teams while there was also an exciting under-17 men’s race where Tonbridge’s new UK age-group 800m record holder Sean Molloy (Mark Hookway) held off Trafford’s new 1500m record holder Matt Shirling (Adrian Webb), who ran the fastest time of 9:08.15. 

Results: http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=79

Video footage: http://ow.ly/f1ivO