National XC Relays Mansfield

For the first time Wells City Harriers entered two teams of four runners for the national cross-country relays, partly to ensure no repeat of last year where the team were leading after 3 legs but then had no runner available for last leg! This event is held at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield and the two lap course of 5 km proves an excellent test of cross country running, fast but with hills, turns and mud to break the stride. Injuries continue to affect the team, but finishing positions of 27^th for the A team and 72^nd for the B team, out of around 165 starting teams, were creditable performances.

Andrew Hennessy has been plagued by injuries of late and although far from fit ran gamely on first leg to place 54^th in a time of 16. 38. Eliot Haimes is gradually returning to form and he overtook 6 in returning a time of 16.51 on second leg. Ben Tickner ran one of the quickest times last year and although slightly down on that performance still produced a time of 15.19 on third leg, making up 18 places to leave the team in 30^th position. Team manager Jon James then made up a further 3 places on last leg with a time of 16.39. None of the B team had run here before for Wells and all enjoyed the experience of a national event like this, which saw them finish 14^th B team. Tim Hawkins ran a solid 17.33 on first leg for 88^th position, handing onto Ed Knudsen who moved through the field overtaking 18 with a time of 17.01. Matt Lewis lost 4 places in running 18.38 on third leg, but John Rowe ran well on last leg gaining 2 places and he recorded a time one second quicker than Matt with 18.37. Overall the day served as good preparation for forthcoming league and championship cross country events.

Jon James