Congratulations to all runners and schools competing in the Manchester School’s Cross Country Finals at Phillips Park yesterday. Over 300 runners qualified from our local competitions and ran on a spongey course following Monday’s downpour. The standard was terrific, with everyone pushing hard resulting in a very fast race.

The Manchester Grammar team won the Boys Race with an outstanding 35 points, with St Ambrose and Lily Lane Primary Schools in 2nd and 3rd place (both 89 points).

The Cavendish Team won the Girls Race (45 points) with St John’s RC (Chorlton) and Manchster High in 2nd and 3rd place (64 and 77 points).

Individual winners were:-

Girls:- 1st Ndey Mahmoud (Holy Name); 2nd Sasha McTiffin (Mcr High); 3rd Nieve Barton (St Kentigern’s)

Boys:- 1st Louie McCormach (Chorlton Park); 2nd Archie McCarron (Cavendish); 3rd Max Rarity (Mcr Grammar).

Huge thanks to Sports Development, Trafford AC (Neil and Pete), Sale Harriers (John and Dave) and all volunteers​ who assisted (special mention to the Sports Leaders from Our Lady’s RCHS who helped to set up the course at 9.30am, acted as course marshalls and then helped to take everything down afterwards).

If any of your runners were given a Manchester squad selection letter, please can you encourage them to attend the training sessions. At last year’s GM County Championships, the girls were 8th and the boys 5th. We would like to see an improvement this year if possible.