With x-country venues dwindling it was a third time in 2025 that the Manchester league x-country has visited Woodbank Park, Stockport. Unlike the dry conditions in Octobers race this time the conditions were wet and muddy.

The U11 race saw Odhran Nash continue his improvement finishing in the top 10 for the first time and with good runs from Ezra Wolfe-Ferguson (26), Henry Hooper-Loudon (30) and Sebastian Harding (49) the team had there best result so far finishing 6th. It was a small turn out for Trafford in the u13 race but there were good quality runs from Thomas Fotheringham (12) and Stan Barber (14) in the boys race and Cora Black (7) and Betsy Widdop (24) in the girls.

In the U15 boys race Arlo Mander-Tullius continued his improvement just loosing touch with the leaders in the later stages to finish 4th. Thomas Daly enjoyed the hilly muddy conditions to come through to 6th and with Oliver Davenport in 8th the team had there best result finishing 2nd and moving the team to 2nd overall in the league, with Oliver Davenport holding on to 4th place individually in the league. Trafford's B team are having a great season finishing 5th on the day and moved to 5th overall team. Competition for places is pushing all the athletes on with this time Logan Grocott (13), Joe Thomas (18) and Ned Farncombe (19) making the team. They were backed up by Sam Ingleby-Castleton (21), Ethan O'Brien (37) and Joe Bowden (55) who have all struggled with recent illness but will be pushing those ahead. In the girls race Mya Black (24) and May Gibbons-Hughes (32) worked hard as they continued to improve their stamina as they target next summer.

In the U17 Men's race the leader got away early on but it was Fin Dobson Emmas from the lead group who ran clear to claim 2nd place. Tio Austin was close behind in 4th and with his best run of the season Evan Horwell (11th) completed the winning team. With Zach Rose 15th and Evan Lewis 17th the Trafford B team missed a third runner but the team still has a great chance of being one of the top 3 teams at the end of the season. In the u17 Women's race Sarah Smith again showed she is enjoying these longer tougher courses as the youngster came through to finish 7th.

In the Senior Women's Sarah Hudak had another consistant run finishing 9th and 2nd v35. With Zoe Storr (44), Amy Cauley (80), Ruth Beresford (98) and Team Manager and mum of Ruth, Sue Exon 219th, the team were 11th overall.

In the Senior Men's race, Boys Team manager Mike Hutchinson was competing for the first time against his son Jay Hutchinson, they were neck and neck until someone fired a gun. Jay set off steady and moved through to finish 31st, Jeff Prest the Senior Men's Team Manager continued his good form in 54th and with Mike Melarkey (56), Alfie Bundy (63), Ceri Basi (163), Dick Byers (195) and Mike Hutchinson (244) the team finished 12th.

Click here to see the results.