Another huge well done to the 3 teams who represented Bingley Harriers at the National Cross Country Relays today at Mansfield. After finishing around the top 10 at the Northerns we targeted placings in the top 30. So a fantastic congratulations to our Under 13 Boys who finished 19th and the Under 17 Boys who finished 23rd. Our Under 17 Girls ran extremely well and finished 51st in high quality fields.
After a good start by Oliver Peace in the Under 13’s, Alex Flaherty gained 45 (yes that’s 45!!) to put Bingley in the top 10 before a good run by Sam Mantle finished it off as top Yorkshire team and 6th Northern team. Alex was 8th fastest overall a phenomenal performance. Well done lads.
The Under 17 Boys were set on their way by Reuben Mantle around the top 30 before a super run up to 14th from Matthew Merrick. James Askew, in his first race at this level ran really well to bring us home in 23rd and 2nd Yorkshire team. Well above expectations, great stuff.
Vikki Merrick got the days proceedings under way in a hotly contested Under 17 Girls race and both Eliza Findlay and Katie Smith gained ground to finish 51st and 3rd Yorkshire team, well done Girls.
This is the first time in many years that we have competed as a team at this level and the runners deserve huge credit for the way they performed. There are also quite a few other juniors who could have stepped in so things are on the up. Can we hope for team (and individual medals) at the Yorkshire champs in January, I think we can….
Thanks to parents and Tony Kingham and Graham Smith for their help and support today.
Martin Peace