National Cross Country Relay Championships

Berry Hill Park, Mansfield

Saturday 2nd November 2019

The annual ‘Saucony’, English National cross country relay Championships, were held at Berry Hill Park in Mansfield, on Saturday 2nd of November. They have been held at this same venue since 1989. Since the advent of the event, all of the top British cross country runners, have competed over the course around Berry Hill Park, and with the various laps remaining the same, consistent records have been established and are regularly challenged. The positioning of the event in early November, makes it an ideal competition, for athletes aiming to qualify for the Great Britain team, to, take part in the European Cross Country Championships, and at the same time support their clubs. 

Over a thousand teams took part in the championships. After a sunny beginning to the day, the rain poured down, from the start of the first event, the under 17 women’s race, to the start of the final event, the Senior Men’s race. The weather didn’t put the runners off and large fields took part in all the races the biggest being the Senior Men, with 190 teams starting the race.

Kingston upon Hull AC, were represented, by two teams. One of under13 boy’s, and the second, a team of under 17 men.

Under 13 Boys

1.8 Kilometres Race

(3 legs – 79 teams – 263 runners)

The under 13 boys team, had initially consisted, of Noah Sibary, Alfie Scruton, and Max Wright. However Max had to pull out through illness, a couple of days, prior to the race. Which saw Nathan Hope, step into the breach, to run the final leg. Noah Sibary, took out the baton, on the first leg, where he ran the course, in a time of 7:34.90 sec, handing over to Alfie Scruton, for the second leg. He navigated the course, running a time of 9:00.25 sec. Nathan Hope, took over the baton, on the 3rd and final leg, he brought the team home, with a run of 8:12.55 sec. The team took 50th place, running a combined team time of 24:44.70 sec.

Under 17 Men

2.3 Kilometres Race

(3 legs – 82 teams – 277 runners)

The under 17 men’s team, were Harry Hudson, Tom Smales, and Adam Fox. The first leg saw Harry Hudson, take out the baton, where he ran the course, in a time of 9:33.65 sec, handing over to Tom Smales, for the second leg, who navigated the course, in a time of 10:51.70 sec. Adam Fox took the baton on the final leg, running the course, in 10:51.70 sec, he brought the team home in 21st place.