Trafford 10k
Mansfield Harriers had six athletes make the journey to Manchester to race at the Trafford 10K, a course with a reputation for fast times and in superb conditions for racing the clubs athletes put in a string of impressive performances with five recording personal bests and the other a seasons best time.
Leading the way for the club was Lewis Boswell who after a string of terrific races over cross country transferred the form onto the roads and recorded a massive personal best time of 32.24 closely followed by the fast improving Brad Caress who recorded a new best of 32.37 and Jan Bailey who is returning from illness and injury but still managed a seasons best of 32.29. Completing the men Dan Wheat recorded a fantastic time of 33.19 as he knocked close to 30 seconds from his best time.
Paige Roadley exceeded all her expectations as she went sub 40 for the first time over the distance. Running just inside 20 minutes for the first 5K a negative split had her crossing the finish line in a personal best of 39.26. After a great block of training Lilly Adkins put in a great shift as she knocked 4 minutes from her personal best as she recorded 52.17.
Savage gets savage at the Cambridge Half Marathon
Dave Savage is another who has put in a substantial block of training and he travelled to race the Cambridge Half Marathon hoping to take his personal best from 84 minutes to close to 80. Surpassing all his expectations he put in one of his best races to date as he came home in a superb time of 78.27.
Derby Runner BDL Cross Country League, Ilkeston
The final race in this seasons Derby Runner BDL Cross Country League was held at Pewit Golf Club Ilkeston. As most BDL venues the course was challenging with the small Mansfield team performing strongly. First athletes back were juniors Reece Carver in 14th and Charlie Taylor 17th with both taking league honours by taking 1st and 2nd in the Junior age group for the series. Wayne Lowe was next home placing 38th with Geoff Bottomore 42nd, Jason Taylor 55th and Shaun Arrowsmith 81st. Holly Colton was first Mansfield lady to finish in 25th closely followed by Natasha Carver in 30th. Geoff also took season honours by placing 3rd in the Masters 60 age group.
Nottinghamshire Sportshall league Inter County
After a winter of competing in the Nottinghamshire Sportshall league ten Mansfield juniors were selected to compete for the County at the Inter County Event at the Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham.
Competing in a variety of events all ten did themselves proud as they competed against the best from Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire. Representing the County were Under 11 boys Edward Bradbury, Under 11 girls Katelyn Marshall, Under 13 boys Chris Nixon, Under 13 girls Sophie Peet, Maisie Lowe, Edee Gascoyne, Charlotte Marshall, Lucy Beardsmore, Under 15 girls Amelia Arbon and Freya Martin.
National Primary Schools XC
Arguably the biggest race of the Cross Country Season for the youngest club athletes is the National Primary Schools and Year 7 Championships which were held on an extremely challenging course at Prestwold Hall near Leicester and once again all six superbly representing the club.
In the Year 7 girls race Evie Clifton continued her outstanding winter, always in the top 10 she came home a phenomenal 7th place with Olivia Wright continuing her improvement in 46th place. In the Year 6 race Catherine Rivas placed 73rd and Olivia Fletcher 85th out of a field of over 250. Esme Evans came in 51st out of close to 250 finishers in the Year 5 girls race and jack Whysall placed 177th out of 270 in the Year 5 boys race.
Race report by Richard Massey
