Harriers in great road relay victory

STOCKPORT Harriers had a great victory at the Nation 6 Stage Road Relays at Sutton Park on 6 October 2018.

Jack Morris, Andrew Davies, Steve Vernon, Patrick Mark, Jack Martin and Ross Millington came home, not just with medals, but with a great big sword!

The race was a tense affair, set on the scenic and undulating paths of the park.

Victory was far from assured with the likes of Jonny Mellor from Liverpool Harriers running the fastest first lap, closely followed by runners from Cardiff, Leeds and Tonbridge.

In fact, Stockport seemed out of a medal all together after finishing the first lap in 10th place. However, the positions were slowly ticked off, managing 7th, then 5th and a tantalising 3rd place on the fourth lap.

Spectators waited with baited breath to see which team would appear first around the sharp corner at the bottom of the finishing straight on the 6th lap. The flash of yellow as Jack Martin appeared in first place raised a massive cheer and it seemed like a win was finally within reach. Ross Millington set out from the holding pen with one aim in mind and Emile Cairess from Leeds in close pursuit. The rest of the course is not visible from the finish and supporters were left nervously waiting for the battle to come back into view. Needless to say Ross pulled a spectacular lap out of the bag with the fastest time of the whole day and burst through the finish ribbon as a welldeserved champion.

Andy Small, Stockport Harrier and Paralympic bronze medallist, competed at the Meeting Citta Di Velletri, Italy in September and set new European records in 100m (16.65secs) and 400m (59.80) in the T33 Wheelchair class. Four of the Stockport’s wheelchair athletes, coached by Rick Hoskins, also competed at the Manchester airport relief road 5k on the 7th of October. It was won by Andy Small with Mickey Bushell taking 2nd, Lucy Keyworth 3rd and Ian Irving 4th.

One of the nicest thing about being a Stockport Harrier is being welcomed into a great big family who will support you no matter what your finish times are.

A special mention goes to Steve Humphries who only started running in August 2017 and last week set a new 10k PB of 41:23 at Rochdale 10k which is a phenomenal time for seasoned runners never mind a newbie! Steve was also 5th in his age group and finished 33rd out of 497 so well done Steve!