KENDAL AAC fielded teams in junior and senior categories at the national cross country relays at Mansfield and all taking part performed admirably.

1,014 teams raced The National Cross Country relays at Mansfield Harriers superbly organised event. Only one team met Steve’s demand for consistency – Fraser Sproul led the U15 team out with a blistering 6-16.30 for 2km and 4th fastest first leg handing over to Daniel Sanderson, who was 4th fastest on the second leg, with Ollie Sanders, crossing the line 4th fastest on his leg and stopping the clock on 19-36.60 for a 4th place finish behind Aldershot Farnham & District AC 19-18.30. J Egner led out the “B” team with Harry Bowen, and J Bowen finishing in 33rd place 21-00.75 with Kendal’s only “C” team of Henry Hunter, Ben Smith, and Ben Greenep finishing in 21-49.35 for 66th place out of 113 teams.
The U13 A team of Jack Barker, Rio Egner and George Dodgson fought hard and fast to finish on 23.30 in 45th place behind winners Cambridge & Coleridge 20-42.10. The determined B team of Sam Greenep, James Sloss and Jack Hewison were 80th out of a field of 106.
The insanely challenging races continued with probably the country’s best course made hard with the strong wind precisely tailored to ensure no respite – being lengthened to 3km. Jacob Smith led out the U17s handing over to James Barlow (a 200m sprinter) with Josh Roelants bringing the team home on a highly creditable 32-44.55 in 69th place ahead of 27 other teams in their match.

Luke Bowen 9-20.15 handed over to Reuben Copley 9-48.05 whose storming place saw them 40th in the U20 match.

Tonbridge AC won the 139 team women’s race in 29-25.50. Consistent training and then racing on the day saw Kendal’s 2 teams battle strongly with Jacqueline Nowell, handing over to Helen Barker, then Carolyn Kevan bringing home the “A” team in 41-02 (74th) and Hazel Clark, passing the baton to Paula Bowen and Joanne Pennington stopping the clock in 43.48 for 96th place.

Finally the 2 lap 5km distance Alasdair Russell stormed the course in 16-11.70 and 43rd place, Jonny Dry was even faster, 16-03.55 moving the team forward, with Harry Foster 16-34.20 taking more places and Tom Hartley 17.45.55, lapping the B team and many others stopping the clock on 1-06.35 for 35th place out of 179 teams! Matt Doey 17-46.00 led out the B team handing over to Connor McGurk, 19.35.00.

Overall a tremendous team effort with every runner looking to test their fitness ahead of Liverpool and other major events. A record attendance and the huge crowds made it a championship to remember!