Manchester League, Match Three, Tatton Park, Saturday 14th January 2023
Naomi Kingston was an impressive winner of the women’s race on the firm, yet challenging Tatton Park circuit on a sunny, but blustery afternoon.
The Altrincham athlete had Alice Wright for company in the initial stages of the 1st short lap leading out a field of 350 plus. By the end of the 2nd circuit, she had established a commanding lead with Wright following, and fellow Sale Harrier U20 Lucy Armitage giving chase.
Kingston extended her lead to over one minute by the tape, with Armitage moving into second ahead of Wright. Laura Lombard was the first V40 in sixth place.
Nigel Martin continued his peerless Manchester League form of recent years with a hard tough victory over the just under 10k course, from a field of nearly 450 men. Martin had V40 Gavin Tomlinson, plus guest and 3:39 1500m athlete Max Wharton for company at the end of lap one of three through the uphill section, and a couple of deep mud ‘troughs’.
The Sale Harrier went clear by the end lap two and extended his margin of victory over Tomlinson to 12 seconds by the finish. Wharton was a further 250m down in third. In seventh place Sam Gilson, guesting for Rotherham, was the first U20 male home.
Sale Harriers were convincing winners of the team race in both the men’s and women’s sections.
Trafford’s Ava Clough was a runaway winner in the U17 section, 30 seconds ahead of Freya Griffiths, with Sophia Roiditis, third. Training partner Freddie Meredith was over 250m ahead of a Salford duo consisting of Ethan Nation, followed home by Alfie Simons.
It was double delight for Warrington as Esme Heavey pulled 50m clear of Salford duo Jasmine Wright and Darcy Slattery in the closing stages of the U15 race. In the U15 boys’ event Jack Marwood, enjoyed a similar winning margin over the Trafford duo of Jay Hutchinson and Pio Aron.
The U13 girls’ race was another close affair as Sale’s Oonagh McManus eased away to enjoy a 40m winning margin from Caitlin Wetters and Isla Pastor. Trafford’s Adrian White was the top U13 boy, pulling six seconds clear of Macclesfield duo Jake Ireland and Thomas Wood in the latter stages.
The lead athletes in the U11 races were Wirral pair Eve Beddow and Thomas Smout.
We would like to thank sponsors Run North-West, supported by Athlete Matters, Colgate Palmolive Dental Health, and City of Manchester Athletics.
Report prepared for Athletics Weekly by Steve Green.
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