On Saturday 1st November, 20 members of Grantham Running Club made the annual pilgrimage to Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, to take part in the National Cross Country Relay Championships.
With many of the country’s top cross-country athletes in attendance, it was an exciting day of racing and a fantastic opportunity for our runners to compete alongside some of the nation’s finest.
This year’s course featured a new route for both the men’s and ladies’ teams, which most described as more challenging than in previous years. Additions such as multiple log jumps certainly made it more interesting and enjoyable, despite the extra test of stamina and agility.
Conditions on the day were ideal for running — cool and dry underfoot — although a few runners admitted to missing the traditional cross-country mud!
There were some standout performances, with both Sylv Hull and Zoe Wragg achieving event PBs despite the tougher course.
The Senior Ladies were the first to compete for the club, fielding three teams of three runners, each completing a 3km leg.
The GRC Ladies A Team recorded a combined time of 40 minutes 27 seconds, with strong performances from Rachel Hamilton (13:06), Harriet Morgan (14:33) and Nicola Ruston-Litchfield (12:47).
The GRC Ladies B Team finished in a total time of 48 minutes 12 seconds, represented by Sylv Hull (16:00), Sarah High (15:38) and Zoe Wragg (16:33).
The GRC Ladies C Team completed their race in 51 minutes 07 seconds, with solid efforts from Nicci Whittaker (16:12), Caroline Davis (16:47) and Paula Ebbins (18:07).
The Senior Men’s race featured three GRC teams of four runners, each completing a 5km leg.
The GRC Men’s A Team put in a strong performance, finishing with a total time of 1 hour 20 minutes 10 seconds. The team comprised Russel Whittaker (19:24), Piers Pye-Watson (19:56), Andrew Goddard (21:04), and Sam Jepson (19:45).
The GRC Men’s B Team completed their race in 1 hour 31 minutes 07 seconds, with solid runs from Matthew Williamson (22:05), Rob Howbrook (23:02), Peter Jennings (23:22), and Russell Maksymiw (22:37).
The GRC Men’s C Team was unfortunately a runner short and could not complete all four legs. Nonetheless, Jason Blair (22:55), Stewart Pick (24:49), and Jack Holroyd (28:04) delivered strong performances over the three legs they completed, demonstrating determination and club spirit throughout.
The overall winners of the event were Belgrave Harriers in the Senior Ladies’ race, completing the 9km course in 29 minutes 4 seconds, and Tonbridge AC in the Senior Men’s race, finishing the 20km course in 1 hour 0 minutes 5 seconds.
Log jump photos c/o Craig Linacre Photography