North Midlands titles for Mansfield Harriers
Mansfield Harriers made the short journey to a snow and ice covered Bulwell Hall recently to compete in the last of this winters series of the North Midlands Cross Country League.
The league is the premier team cross country league in the East Midlands and the club went into it knowing one more big effort would see Mansfield come away with several team and individual medals out of twelve age group competitions. After a long and successful day of racing Mansfield came away with five team golds, and a further six individual podium places.
The senior men went into the fixture with a comfortable lead, the Masters a close second behind a strong Long Eaton team. In the best finish to a race in the league for many a year James McCrae won after an exhilarating three man sprint finish with Alex Hampson 2nd, Jacob Nugent 8th, Liam Watson 16th and Adam Holland 29th completing the senior team.
Inspired runs from Paul Wright 7th, Chris Patteron 15th and Jan Bailey 22nd saw the masters claw back the deficit and go on to take the title. Chris Kilburn was next home in 30th with Josh Mitchell 34th, Dan Nugent 37th, Jamie Macintyre 86th and Andy Wetherill 137th. Individually Alex was second overall with Chris first M45 and Jan first M50.
Molly Peel continues her impressive form in the senior ladies age group coming home 4th with Katrina Prior 24th, Katie Leese 30th and Sarah Maston 42nd completing the team as they placed fourth on the day and fifth overall. The Masters went into the race with a narrow lead which extended with terrific runs from Kath Malone 31st, Kirsty Huntington 37th and Helen Pritchett 57th. Kath having a superb season to finish second F45.
The Under 15 and 13 girls have been on the clubs highlight reels all winter with this series being no exception. Charley Whysall placed 2nd in the Under 15 race with superb backing from Isla Millns 4th, Myannie Westwood 5th and Maisie Lowe 14th as they won both on the day and series. Not to be outdone Scarlett Brumfitt placed 6th, Catherine Rivis 9th and Esme Evans 10th as the Under 13 girls also won both on the day and overall. Charley was second individual in the Under 15 with Scarlett 3rd in the 13 age group. Two under 17 girls also raced with Keira Morley 8th and Martha Walker 9th the team both third on the day and over the series.
A strong Under 13 boys team placed second at Bulwell and third overall. Denny Thurgood continues his excellent form placing 6th closely followed by Harvey Evans in 8th and Jack Whysall 17th as the team came second on the day and third over the series. The Under 15 boys had Minhea Radu 10th, Teddy Macintyre 19th and Will McClemens 27th as they came in fifth on the day and sixth overall.