Sale Harriers Over The Bales Races

Sunday 26^th March 2023 – Report by Malcom Plant

20 of our Junior Squad enjoyed this novel event on a day when the weather was very kind and the going underfoot was excellent.

This event comprises 6 races, under 9’s, under 11’s and under 13’s, with separate Boys and Girls races for each age group.

The course was varied, not too long for anyone with the added challenge of a series of haybales to navigate along the way.

One of the most competitive races was the under 9 girls and although we did not quite manage a team placing there were some excellent runs. This was not an easy race but with an excellent run by Vida Cronquist in 8^th, leading a team of Frida Longden (19^th), Rebecca Miller (21^st) and Ivy Mills (40^th), our girls can be proud.

In the under 9 boys we stormed to a 3 A Team prize with the boys relishing the good running, the twists and the bales. Strong performances from Henry Fitzmaurice (8^th), Lucas Pendlebury (8^th) and Alex Almond closing the scoring in 35^th showed how well our squad is improving. With Hazekaiah Pereira battling in one of his first races to secure 50^th position we will see great things from this group.

In the under 11 girls Manchester Harriers showed we have the making of a super team. Fantastic packing in a very strong field bodes well for the future. Lacey Steele in 21^st lead a Manchester charge of Dora Lei (23^rd), Helena Parikh (25^th), Chloe Brown (26^th), chased by Natalie Almond  (37^th) this was a great performance. The fact that most of our team have been running brilliantly this Winter is testament to the strength of this field, and the potential of our girls. Great credit to Fenia Savvopoulou who despite not feeling well fought herself to the finish and never gave up.

The under 11 boy’s saw Ethan O’Brien storm to a fine win and right from the start it was clear that no one was going to catch him, a great run to round off an excellent Winter. It was great to see Ethan dominate the run and record a win taken so confidently. Ethan was followed by an excellent run in 7^th place from Max Hornsby, now starting to show his ability. Hadrian Pendlebury closed our team out in 13^th to assure 2^nd A team.

In the final race, the under 13 boys, we only had two athletes, Rowan Hepple in 21^st position was followed closely in by Finlay Hornsby. Next year they will be supported by a whole group of our boys racing up behind them so we can expect some fireworks in this race.

A lovely day of competition and definitely one for the fixture list next year