This Saturday saw Trafford athletes competing in the National x-country relays at the traditional Mansfield course.  The course is a mixture of fast running, hills and a twisty section through the woods.  With little rain this week the course this year was dry and faster than normal.

These races have the top teams and athletes from England competing and are a great learning curve for younger athletes.  Trafford had two U13 boy’s teams running in a fast 2km three man race. It was Mathew Aron (8.14) who set off for Trafford’s A team, he handed over to Thomas Daly (8.02) who moved up to 20^th place, then Ned Farncombe (8.29) had a great run to keep the team in 21^st place.  Trafford’s strong B team saw Paddy Widdop (9.00) hang on to the big pack of runners.  He handed to the youngster in the team Thomas Fotheringham (8.45) who moved the team up to 52^nd followed by Daniel White (9.44) who brought the team home in 51^st place.

In the U15 Boys race, also of 2km, a strong field set off on the first leg including Trafford’s Adrian White (6.52).  He was always in contention at the back of the lead group bringing the team home in 8^th place.  Ben Gardner (7.12) took over and moved the team up to 4^th place at halfway leading a big pack of runners, he handed over to Thomas Aron (7.47) on last leg in 8^th place and Thomas ran well to bring the team home in 17^th place (4^th Northern team).

The U17 Men’s race is held over the longer 3km course but was still a fast close contest between the top teams.  With so many teams sprinting off at the start Trafford put their fastest runner Pio Aron (9.12) on first leg. He hung on to the top 10 at halfway and then used his strength on the final hill to move up into the top 6 and managed to outsprint 2 athletes to finish 4^th on the first leg.  Tio Austin (9.40) kept the team just outside the top 3 also with a big finish he held on to 7^th place.  Fin Dobson Emmas then hung on to the lead pack outsprinting them to maintain the team in 7^th place.  In the B team Evan Lewis (10.10) ran well and not far behind was Trafford’s C team runner Archie Greenwood (10.27).  They handed over to Ben Keeley (10.04) who moved the B team up 13 places to 32^nd with Evan Horwell (10.17) moving the C team up 12 places to 50^th. Jay Hutchinson (9.44) maintained the progress of the B team moving up to 25^th and 2^nd B team overall.  With 7 of the 8 runners having another year in this age group the team that won last years U15 title will be looking to win the U17 title.

The U20 Men’s race was also over the 3km course and it was James Walton (10.08) running for the B team who was first back in 65^th place followed by Fin Mayoh (10.26) close behind.  Will Parker (9.38) then stormed through picking up 18 places and moving the A team just ahead of the B team runner Joe Daly (10.09).  Trafford had its fastest runners on last leg with Freddie Meredith (9.22) moving the team up 13 places to finish 42^nd and Joe Deighton (9.34) having one of his best runs to move the B team up to 48^th and 8^th B team overall.

In the Senior Women’s race over the same 3km course it was Vicki O’Meara (10.50) who led the Trafford A team with a great run on first leg to come home in 27^th place.  Vicki was backed up by Beth Reid (11.38) and Sarah Hudak (11.44) to move the team into 24^th place and 4^th Northern team.  A strong Trafford B team were close behind with Kate Meeson (11.43), Zoe Storr (12.08) and Issy Rippon (11.59) bringing the team home in 35^th overall and 6^th B team.

In the Men’s race over a two lap 5km course it was in-form Fin Proffitt who led the team clocking an impressive 15.12 to bring the team home in 13^th place on the first leg.  Simon O’Meara (17.24), Seb Patrick (18.06) and Jeff Prest (18.02) brought the team home in 51^st place.  Good runs in the B team from Tom Rogers (17.55) and Laurence Skidmore (18.01) as well as Joe Bentall (20.12) who is gradually getting back to form, plus Mike Hutchinson (23.26) 33 years after he first ran on this course, brought the B Team home in 103^rd place.

Full Results on :   MYLAPS Sporthive Event Results