The UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships is the final major event on the club cross country calendar. This year’s event at Prestwold Hall near Loughborough brought together over 2500 athletes from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland representing their counties or countries. Adding to the prestige of the event, it was also the occasion to select the GB teams to travel to the World Cross Championships in Holland later this month.

7 Trafford athletes were among those selected to represent Greater Manchester.

First to race was Jack Wilkinson who finished in a commendable 102^nd (1^st GM counter) in the U20 Mens race. This marked Jack’s 7^th consecutive year representing the county and also his 150^th club race.

Moving down the age groups, Trafford had 5 of the 6 GM runners in the U17 Mens event. The performance of the day went to Cynog Williams who achieved an excellent 18^th place in the race. The other Trafford representatives all ran steadily, with Alex Bailey 102^nd, Joe Bentall 133^rd, Theo Symons Treacher 190^th and Lewis Royle 200^th.

Our only representative in the U15 Boys race was Jack McNicol. A bad fall in the mud meant that he didn’t achieve his usual high position, but nevertheless he finished 66^th, second counter for the county.

Charlie Atkiss gained his first county vest when finishing a solid 149^th in the U13 Boys race.

Several of these athletes will be representing Greater Manchester Schools at the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Leeds next Saturday.

In the Senior Women's race Vicki Cronin was 62nd over the 10k course.  You can see videos of the women's race here.

Simon O'Meara was 127th in the senior men's race.