On Saturday 6th November, Rugby and Northampton Athletics Club had no less than nine teams taking part in the prestigious National cross country relays held over an undulating woodland course in Mansfield.
The U13 girls team of Olivia McGhee, Claudia Terrel and Joanna Mulreany finished an outstanding 32nd place whilst the U13 boys team of Abbas Hamza-Corte, Thomas Leeson and Noah Starr finished in 47th position. The U15 girls of Ella Darby, Rebecca Eaton and Jemima Cooper raced to a excellent 30th position with the U15 boys of Arthur Tilt, Ollie Walls and Dominic Eversden finishing in 43rd. The U17 men fielded two teams with the A team of Dominic Evans, Jasper Cooper and Ned Gilford finishing in 44th, whilst the B team finished in 61st. The U17 women raced to a brilliant 33rd position with Madeleine Jack, Grace Darby and Elspeth Unitt all excelling.
It was in the senior mens race, however, where Rugby and Northampton really shone. Previously the best ever position had been 37th position but hopes were high given recent successes on both country and road. The team was led off by the newly crowned club marathon record holder, Elisha DeMello. Elisha battled with the cream of distance running to bring back the team in 20th position with an outstanding 15 min 47. The second leg saw Ben Musgrove improve the position yet further as he steamed through the field on 16min 15 to bring the team back in 11th position. Haydn Arnall then made up yet more ground as he brought the team back in an unprecedented 9th position with 16 mins 27. Alistair McDonnel completed the team with a gritty run on the final leg to finish in an excellent 17th position – a truly outstanding team performance ! The young B team also excelled as Tom Tyler, William Gardner, Jack Bond and Matthew Everett all running well to finish in 55th position.
