Sterling show from under 17s
ATHLETICS STEVE DUXBURY
THREE teams of Harriers were in action at the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships, which took place at Sports City, Manchester on Sunday.
Windy but dry conditions prevailed for most of the day and the U17 Men’s team were first off, led by Matty Mackay on the first leg of three and over 3.7K.
Matty settled into the leading pack early on before taking the lead around the halfway point, after which he opened up a substantial lead before handing over to Ryan Heneghan after 11mins 14secs, which proved to be the fastest leg of the day, a magnificent performance.
Ryan was up against some of the best runners in the north of England but ran probably his best time for the distance, crossing the line after 13mins 14secs and in eighth place before handing over to Max Cunningham.
Max ran 12mins 27secs, the 11th fastest time on leg three but couldn’t overhaul seventh place Morpeth, finishing in a very impressive eighth position overall, and second Lancashire club behind Preston Harriers, from a total of 30 teams.
The Senior Women’s team of Ann Marie Hindle, Nicole Howarth, Caroline Ogden and Sophie Howard finished in 63rd position from a total of 97 complete teams, a pleasing performance from a squad that is becoming more competitive in each outing.
Anne Marie’s time of 24mins 36secs for 5.4K was the quickest of the four. ●● Matty Mackay
The Senior Men’s six strong squad ran two laps of 6.8K and had to finish in the first 25 teams in order to qualify for the National Final at Sutton Park in October.
In all, 140 teams toed the start line and, despite missing a couple of key ●● Ryan Heneghan athlete,s the team of Grant Cunliffe, Chris Fell, Joe Johnston, Rob Webb, Andy Buttery and Anthony Dalton finished in 23rd place.
It was down to veteran Chris Fell on leg 2 to take the team into a qualifying position after Grant Cun- ●● Chris Fell liffe’s 39th position on the very competitive first leg. Rob Webb briefly took the harriers to 21st position and Andy Buttery and Anthony Dalton ran solid legs to secure 23rd spot and an invitation to the National final in two week’s time.