Jamie Loxam brought the men’s team home in 23rd place
The Stockport Harriers Lloyds endurance men’s and women’s teams posted the highest ever positions by the Woodbank Stadium squad at this year’s Saucony English National Cross Country Relays in its 24th year.
This year was the biggest ever turn out for the national event with over 150 teams competing
The event is an indication of present form for athletes who will be pushing for a place in the Great Britain team at the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels.
Stockport Harriers’ Steve Vernon who has represented Great Britain three times at the Championships is one of the athletes who will be hoping to claim a place in this year’s team.
Following on from his victory in the previous week’s Manchester League Steve ran the overall fastest leg of the day with a time of 14.51 to win stage 1 of the four stages.
Offerton athlete Andy Nixon took stage 2 with Junior squad member Mike Cooke on stage 3 with last leg runner newly-wed athlete Jamie Loxam who made the journey from his new home in mid Wales brought the team home for its highest ever position at the championships in 23rd place.
The senior women’s three stage team were boosted by the inclusion of GB international Ellie Baker in her first official race for the club.
The team’s first leg runner was Reddish Vale PE teacher Emma Hampson who kept the team in contact with the tightly packed field in 45th she handed over to Elle Baker also a teacher at Stockport’s Mile End school.
Elle stormed through the field taking over 27 athletes to finish in 18th place.
Final leg runner was Carley Davies who is taking her teaching degree at Birmingham University finishing the race in 20th for the squad, which was also the highest ever position achieved by a Stockport senior women’s team - so top marks for them!