National CC Relays, Mansfield
Three Young Athlete teams and a Senior Women's team went to Mansfield and gave their all against the best in the country at the National Cross Country Relays on Saturday.The highlight was a terrific run from Sidnie Ward (right) on the first leg of the Under 13 boys race. 
Despite a stumble at the start, Sidnie was up to 4th at halfway. He then proceeded to overhaul the Kendal runner, Sproul, in the wooded part of the course, before drawing well clear at the end to clock a fine 6mins 41secs, which was the fastest lap of the day for the Under 13 boys, and possibly one of the fastest times since the event started back in 1988.
Liam Waldron, in his first National event, ran really well on the 2nd leg. At halfway he was neck-and-neck with the Aldershot runner before coming in 8th, running a fine 7.45 for his leg.
Liam was disappointed at losing those places but it was highlighted to him that this is a national event and he should not be at all ashamed of his performance. On leg 3 Brandon Baldacci, who is also new to this level of competition and only a year 7, tried his best and brought the club home in 22nd place out of 69 complete teams, a good overall performance.
In the Under 15 girls race Louise Gilbert started the ball rolling for WGEL. Louise was completely blocked at the start and ended up jogging the first 200 metres or so. Once she got flowing properly she came through to 41st spot in 7mins 44secs, some 18 seconds quicker than last year. Louise should be happy with her run given the difficult start she encountered. Siena Taylor ran leg 2 in 8mins 21secs and gave her best despite losing 6 places. On leg 3 Olivia Corbett was very brave and completed the circuit after been unwell on the morning. She was told not to finish the run if she got worse but she was brave, not letting her clubmates down in bringing Woodford Green home in 50th place in 8mins 41secs.
The Under 15 boys were always going to find things difficult as they are all first year Under 15s. Joe Gellor should be happy with his first leg run of 7mins 6secs, some 18 secs quicker than last year, coming in 61st. Hayden and Todd Maleary sportingly ran despite been short of training due to the dreaded Osgoods Slatter injuries they both have, bringing Woodford home in 70th spot.
Team Manager and coach John Stow said, "So once again our athletes are not afraid to run against the best in the Country and Sidnie Ward can take great confidence from his superb performance which sets him up for his challenge in Liverpool in a months time. I must hugely thank the parents who transported the youngsters to Mansfield for this special event where the atmosphere is brilliant for all athletes,parents and coaches present. Next up is Start Fitness Met League at Stevenage next Saturday."
In the Senior Women's event, Gemma Coe brought the team home in 39th place out of 121 starters on leg 1, clocking 10mins 45secs. On leg 2, Emily Moss cut through the field into 22nd place as she timed 10mins 55secs. And on leg 3 Rachel Lund slipped back to 34th in running 12mins 02secs. 102 teams closed in, and the fastest woman of the day was Elle Vernon of Stockport with her 9mins 20secs on leg 1.