Stockport Harriers Battle Through Storm Ciara

17 Feb 2020 09:34
Published by: Scott Callan

 

Despite the dreaded start of storm Ciara edging closer to Manchester, our athletes persevered through strong winds during the last race of the Manchester Area Cross Country League at Heaton Park. For the U11 boys, we had only one fantastic athlete take on the responsibility of representing Stockport; Zach Rose fought his way into the top 20, placing 19th overall in 12.16.

With a more hopeful turn out from the U13s, the boy's race saw William Bailey storm towards the finish, putting him on the podium with 3rd place (12.35) This was followed by Ben Sturgess (13.51) who took 24th position in a tight finish between Macclesfield Harrier, Oliver Bailey. Joining the boys at the finish was Stockport's Sam Elliot (15.00) who made his way to 40th place overall.

The Stockport girls clearly weren't phased by the weather, as Freya Murdoch (13.00), Sophie Ellwood (13.15) and Niamh Mackintosh (13.31). all placed brilliantly in 1st,2nd and 4th respectively, taking gold in the team prize. As if that wasn’t enough, Stockport also took silver in the team prize, all thanks to more brilliant efforts from our athletes Ella Buckley (13.39), Saffron Meade (13.50) and Aisling Brooks (14.36)

Making our way over to the U15 Boys, Finley Mayoh (18.04) was the first Stockport lad to cross the finish, taking 5th place. Following this, athletes Henry Pickard (19.03) and Jack Catterall (19.11) joined Finley at the finish, placing 12th and 13th.  The three musketeers and their outstanding performances put Stockport in 3rd position in the team results.

Isabelle Stutchfield (22.44) was the first junior girl for Stockport Harriers and placed 22nd overall. This was followed by Libby Martin (26.26) and Elicia Gibbons (27.50) who took 43rd and 46th place.

Moving onto the senior sector of the MACCL, the U17 men and women took to the line in a depleted combined race of 39 runners. This saw Edward Corden squeeze into the top 10 (22.22) with a fight to the line with Wirral Ac runner, Daniel Hayes. This was followed by Harry Ellwood, taking 14th position (23.17) and Tobin Rose in 18th (23.49). For the women, Alice Davies was first for Stockport with 4th place (26.21). Up next was Esther Hulley (27.31) and Lauren Burgess (29.25) who placed 6th and 11th. The girls came out on top with the team prize and took gold for the club.

The senior ladies were away next, which saw nearly 250 runners take on Heaton Park's hills and mud. Samantha Jones (36.41) was in first representing Stockport, placing 13th overall.  Next to follow was our U20 athlete, Mollie Cooke (38.44), who took 39th place. This was followed by Emilia Gadja (39.46) positioning in 51st place.

Helen Todd (47.43) ran outstandingly and managed to work her way up in the race, ultimately taking a brilliant win for her age category, whilst also placing 154th overall.

To bring this seasons MACCL to a close, the senior men gathered onto the start-line to race in the 2019/2020 league for the last time. James Scott-Buccleuch (36.26) was the first Stockport runner to finish their last MACCL for this cross-country season and placed 27th overall. Malcolm Johnson (36.55) was next to finish in 35th place.  This was closely followed by Flynn Walsh who positioned 39th overall (37.01).

 

Stockport Harriers would also like to say a fond farewell to a lifelong Harrier, Eric Normansell who sadly passed away on 12th February 2020. Eric was a former treasurer and primary schools cross country organiser for many years and he completed 132 Park runs of which 106 were at Woodbank park. He will be sadly missed by many.

 

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