National XC Champs 2016

Post date: Mar 4, 2016 3:50:38 PM

Sale Harriers men back up Manchester dominance to earn bronze at National XC Championships

http://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/

Running is all a matter of timing and this was perfect evidence of a club constantly carrying the weight of potential coming together at the perfect time. Following their dominance in this season’s Manchester Cross-Country League, Sale’s senior men continued their superb form at Donington Park to claim team national medals for the third time this century, previously being in 2004, 2007, with Gareth Raven in the scoring six in all three.

Arguably the most impressive feat of the men’s race was three of Sale’s six counters finishing in the top 20: CHARLIE HULSON (5^th), MATT BOND (18^th) and JAIMIE RODEN (19^th) all crossing the line with scintillating performances. Helping secure third for the men were MATT BARNES (48^th), GARETH RAVEN (100^th) and DANIEL KASHI(136^th) to complete a marvellous season for the senior men.

Alan White, Chris Donnelly, Niall Brooks, David Rich, Steve McCarron, Alex Bradford, Paul Rowley, Phillip Scowcroft, top 500, plus Gary Rowlinson, Richard Edwards, with Mike Ashby and Paul Barrett dipping for the line, Glenn Savage Kevin Foster, Frank Cordingley and Tim Rainey

The senior women posted a respectable 5th Northern and 22^nd National place, with only 30 places and 42 seconds separating HAYLEY ASHBY (129^th) with a strong second lap, LUISA CANDIOLI (138^th), KATIE WHITE (139^th) breasted the tape together and EMMA FINNEY holding on to(158th).

Backed up by Katherine Wellam (169th), Helen Armitage (177th), Jane Thomas (180th), Clare McCarron, Amy Ashton, Jaquie Cordngley, Lynda Rowlinson, Helen Carter, Janneke Van Beijnum, Sinead Ferguson all top 500.

For many athletes, these races are a battle against your own head. Chests were bursting, legs were burning and souls were praying for the finish, but 21 men and 14 women dug in to beat a course that had everything. Firm, flat ground encouraged quick running, relentless undulation invited aggressive changes in pace through steep climbs and rapid descents, whilst the clay-like mud round the bends sapped tiring legs. Combined, this cemented one of Sale’s best performances as a Northern club in recent years and demonstrates the club’s strength in depth across several sections,

The Donington bronze capped an outstanding February for Sale after securing seven titles in the Manchester Area Cross-Country League including a number of younger divisions. This gave the senior men their fifth consecutive title after three match victories from five, whilst victory for the women saw them retain last year’s title.