Northern 12 Stage Relays & Junior Road Championships
Wythenshawe Park in Manchester hosted the 2024 Northern men’s 12 and women’s 6 stage relays on 23rd March. The under 15 and 17 Northern Road Championships over 5k also took place earlier on in the day.
East Cheshire’s men managed to field two full teams which is no mean feat. Last minute injuries and illnesses meant late call-ups and team changes, so thanks to everyone for their support. It’s testament to the clubs team spirit and camaraderie which pulled us through.
The A team performed brilliantly to finish 14th place overall, our highest finish ever. The senior section has shown great strength in depth recently which showed on the day. The B team finished a solid 47th place, with a few relay debutants stepping up and performing well. The A team have now qualified for the National relays in Birmingham on 6th April, an amazing achievement.
Long legs consisted of 2 laps (approx. 8k) and short legs consisted of 1 lap (approx. 4.6k). Windy conditions made it tough and two switch backs interrupted the rhythm. None the less some outstanding performances, well done to the below:
A Team:
1. Michael Holness - 25.21 (Long leg)
2. Gavin Browne - 14.36
3. Vincent Jubbs - 25.33 (Long leg)
4. Joe Hudak -14.13
5. Gareth Raven - 26.00 (Long leg)
6. Nigel Malkin - 15.07
7. Mark Matthews - 26.07 (Long leg)
8. Michael Obi - 15.10
9. Callum Parkinson - 15.57
10. Howard Oldham - 16.01
11. Callum Fricker - 15.24
12. Matthew Smith - 15.26
B team:
1. Robin Horner - 28.43 (Long leg)
2. John Bowker - 17.58
3. Andy Sykes - 29.39 (Long leg)
4. Michael Kennedy - 17.35
5. Jonathan Aust - 30.11 (Long leg)
6. Dennis Thomas - 16.48
7. Jacob Taylor - 28.48 (Long leg)
8. Tom Bentley - 16.45
9. Steven Jones - 17.18
10. Daniel Bamber - 18.19
11. Tobias Walsh - 18.47
12. Glenn Piper - 19.11
Well done to ECH athletes who took part in the junior races. The heavens opened as soon as the under 15 boys set-off but this didn’t stop them, with Marshall Fleet 19th (17.28), Oliver Walker 31st (18.17) and Sam Horner 48th (20.08) all performing well. In the under 15 girls Anna Rooke finished a creditable 21st place in 22.41. The under 17 men were next with Brandon Kenyon-Betts running a great time of 17.02 coming home in 23rd place, followed by Joe Taylor in 41st with 18.49. Finally, Maria Rooke and Harri-Ann Fleet went in the under 17 women’s event and ran excellently to finish 10th (20.18) and 19th (21.57) respectively.
A great day out!
Main photo - Mike Holness having a blinding run on the 1st leg
Top photo - Some of the team cheering on the other runners. Thanks to James Hartshorne (out injured), Hayley Simpson and Katie Kay for coming down to support the teams!
Bottom photo - Robin Horner smiling on the 1st leg.