Mansfield Harriers are in good form at Prestwold Hall

Each county can field eight athletes and regional teams from the Home Counties saw the racing at an exceptional standard on another mud fest of a course.

Jenson Connell put in a strong performance in the U17 men’s race, going out hard and hanging in for 26th place and first home for the team.

In the U13 boys race, Eddie Holden, placing 140th, was also the first county runner home with Ed Sankey 209th and twin Will 293rd on his county debut. Ben Burnham ran strongly in his debut senior race, crossing the line in 258th.

Lauren McNeil was the highest placed female, placing 31st in the U17 race after a tremendous winter including two international vests.

Racing for Derbyshire, Louise Cocking had a cracking run for 57th in the U20 race with Mollie Scott close behind in 74th. Another racing for Derbyshire and making her county debut, Sophie Toyn, placed 172nd in the U15 race closely followed by Grace Manson in 182nd.

Ella Kennedy was 173rd in the U13 race with Jemima Waller 268th, and after losing both her shoes in the mud, Zoe Spencer was 272nd.

Mansfield’s senior athletes were busy on the roads racing at different locations and over four different distances.

Paul Wright put in a stunning run at the Retford Half Marathon, placing fourth in 70.39. Richie Talbot was next home in 1.20.19 with Clive Buck recording 1.23.26, Stuart Whysall 1.33.54, Steven Little 1.42.09, Richard Bamford 1.55.53 and Catherine Brogdale 2.16.522.

Five athletes travelled to the Fradley 10k with a massive new personal best of 57.10 for Jess Breider with Shaun Arrowsmith the first Harrier back in 50.17, Sarah Bradbury 51.07, Vicki Faulkner 54.12 and Tina Copcutt 61.54.

Martin Fickling made the journey to Cannock to race the five-mile trail race and took third in 32.28.

Running the Giltbrook 5K, Kirsty Sanders recorded a new best time of 26.41 while Mark Fickling took third.