Juniors on form in Woods race
LAST week Stockport Harriers took on the second of the Manchester Cross Country League races, this time at Kenworthy Woods in Wythenshawe.
The juniors performed exceptionally well, starting with the U11s, where William Bailey took overall second position and crossed the line with a time of 06.40.
This was closely followed by Isaac Reed, taking ninth (07.07). Then, only three seconds behind, Ben Sturgess (07.10) came in 11th position. Overall, the junior boys also won the second team prize.
Another outstanding performance was from our U11s junior girls, who not only ran brilliant times, they also won first team prize.
Niamh Mackintosh was the first to power through the line, taking fifth position for the club, along with a time of 07.14. Ella Buckley was not far behind coming in at sixth (07.20). Third Stockport Harrier was Elena Walker taking ninth (07.33).
The U13s junior girls race also showcased some strong talent at Stockport. Freya Murdoch stole the show and won the overall race in an astonishing time of 10.51, leading with a six second gap ahead of Sale Harriers’ Sara Clough. Second Harrier to come through the finish was Sophie Ellwood (11.31), placing ninth overall. This was then followed by Stockport’s Saffron Meade (12.03) who positioned 23rd. The club’s top three girls not only ran an amazing race, but they also took second team price out of 23.
The U13s boys showed some brilliant performances with Harvey Murphy coming in 24th place, with a fantastic time of 11.44. Second Harrier to finish was Sam Elliot placing 34th (12.11). This was then followed by William Dewsbury who took 36th position (12.13)
The U15s boys continued their successful streak of team prizes taking first thanks to Finley Mayoh, Harry Ellwood and Thomas Manton.
Finley was second overall with an impressive time of 13.33, closely following Trafford’s athlete Jack McNicol. Harry Ellwood finished in sixth position (13.59), this was then followed by Thomas Manton who crossed the line in eighth place (14.04).
First Stockport Harrier to cross the line for the U15s girls was Esther Hulley who placed 10th overall with a speedy time of 15.57. This was then followed by Madi Parkinson, placing 21st (17.20) and Isabel Brundrett coming in 23rd position (17.35)
The U17s Men also performed well. First Harrier was Stockport’s Edward Corden placing 11th with an outstanding time of 20.18. Stockport Harriers second athlete to cross the line was Jacob WoodDoyle coming in 28th position overall (22.47). This was closely followed by Tom Marsland who placed 29th (23.04).
Alice Davies was the first Harrier to storm over the line in the U17s Women’s race, placing overall in fifth position running a fast time of 23.30. The second Harrier to come through was Lauren Burgess who overall placed 14th (25.47). This was closely followed by Stockport’s Natasha Moore taking 15th place (26.04)
The Senior Women’s race had an astonishing turnout of 350 athletes from across Greater Manchester.
Stockport’s Faye Waterhouse was the first to finish with an impressive time in 27.51, overall placing 19th. Coming in an overall 29th position was Stockport’s Samantha Jones (28.30). this was followed by Fiona Johnson who also placed 59th overall (29.44)
In the Senior Men, Stockport dominated yet another race with over 500 athletes taking part.
Patrick Martin and Jack Morris stuck together, leading the front pack of the race for the three hilly laps. As the race came to a sharp end, Patrick Martin went on to take gold for the club with a time of 30.37, this was followed quickly by Jack Morris placing second overall and came in with a time of 30.45.
Not long after our two first athletes came in, Stockport’s Jack Nixon crossed the line finishing at ninth position (31.54)
Another noticeable performance from one of our Stockport Harrier athletes was from Jess Piasecki at Milton Keynes, British Athletics Cross Challenge.
This was Jess’s first cross country race since 2013 after battling with various injuries, Jess returned last weekend and performed outstandingly, stealing second position with a thrilling time of 18.19, evidently returning back to her top form.