The Saucony English Cross Country Relay Championships took place at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield on Saturday 2nd November. Always a definite date in the Grantham Running Club calendar, the club fielded 6 teams – 3 women’s teams and three men’s, to participate in this prestigious event.
The women in teams of three each ran a 3K lap, whilst the men in teams of four each ran 5K over a ‘proper’ cross country course that consisted of rough grassy parkland, woodland and several testing inclines.
All the Grantham team were of the opinion that the dry ground and perfect weather made for excellent running conditions which made participating very enjoyable overall, far better than last year’s soul destroying wet and muddy conditions. Mind you, some of our team did miss the mud and found the lack of it disappointing!
Given the calibre of the competition – and there were some exceptional performances on display from some of the country’s top cross-country athletes, the expectations of the GRC teams were realistic, yet all the GRC participants acquitted themselves very well.
There were some very strong, competent performances including a few course PBs and several members of the team achieving quicker times than last year. This was also a debut National Relays for nine of the GRC team.
Participants, teams and gun times were posted as follows:
π’ πͺπΌπΊπ²π» π – 44:10 mins – placed 70th out of 105 teams
Sophie Davis
Sarah High
Harriet Morgan
β«οΈ πͺπΌπΊπ²π» π – 45:41 mins – 76th
Marj Spendlow
Nicci Whittaker
Andrea Ward
π’ πͺπΌπΊπ²π» π – 49:40 mins – 90th
Caroline Davis
Paula Ebbins
Melissa Winter
β«οΈ π π²π» π – 1:20:11- 104th out of 163 teams
Dean Riggall
Matthew Atter
Sam Jepson
Russel Whittaker
π’ π π²π» π – 1:33:55 – 140th
Tom Feeley
Peter Jennings
Robin Atter
Alan Carley
π π²π» π – 1:46:09 – 146th
Cameran Hoggan
Andrew MacAllister
Jack Holroyd
Dale Towning
All agreed that it really is the taking part that counts. Berry Hill Park is a great place to compete, there was a super team spirit with everyone being supportive of each other and it was great to have a good club turnout, which also included our on standby reserve, Russell Maksymiw.
As an added bonus for some there was cheap ‘merch’ on offer at the end! All in all a great afternoon of running.
Belgrave Harriers women and Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers men won the senior titles.
Report c/o Sarah High
Pictures care of team members and what could be gleaned online. Picture of Cameron c/o Mark Hookway
