The Fourth Manchester League x-country race took place in pleasant conditions at Kenworthy Woods this Saturday. There are five races in total, in the series this winter, but it was announced that the rescheduled final match on 2nd March at Sherdley Park, St.Helens had again been cancelled by the local council. If another venue can't be found at short notice then this is likely to be the final race in the series.

First race up was the U11's and the boys team have shown improvement all winter, recording their best team performance of 4th moving them up to 7th overall. Thomas Fotheringham looked strong throughout the race moving up to finish 9th. He was backed up by Seb White in 25th and closing fast Harry Crowhurst in 28th. Making a great debut for the club was Sophia Whittaker in the girls race finishing 52nd.

In the U13's race Thomas Daly arrived just in time after warming up in the County swimming champs that morning. He didn't show any signs of fatigue as he powered through the field to finish 8th. Joe Thomas had his best run of the winter to finish 13th and with Ethan O'Brien just behind in 15th. The team finished 3rd and sealed 3rd Team prize overall in the series. The depth of the squad was again evident as the B and C teams finished 6th and 13th with the B team 7th overall in the series and first B team. Well done to Thomas Aron (19th), Matthew Aron (20th), Ralphie Rome (34th), Patrick Widdop (36th), Joe Bowden (46th), Theo Kanakides (47th) and Daniel White (51st).

In the girls race Mya Black, who is concentrating more on sprints, had an excellent race finishing 32nd out of the 47 girls who finished.

With 5 runners in the top 6 the Trafford U15 Boys continued their great winter season. Pio Aron stamped his authority on the race early on as he pulled out an early lead. When the chasing group split up it was Fin Dobson Emmas who finished 3rd with Tio Austin back to form in 4th and Adrian White 5th. Evan Lewis had a good run for 6th and improving all winter in 11th was Benji Cavanagh. Tom Harris (21st) and Atticus Jones (30th) also had their best runs of the winter. This has secured Trafford boys 1st and 2nd Team place overall in the series, with Trafford boys C team still in equal 6th place. Individually Pio can not be caught for the title and Fin lies third but is in a close race for the silver and bronze.

In the girls race it is a closer battle for Trafford's team as they finished 4th on the day and are joint third overall. Rachel Bowden again lead the team finishing 5th in the race and she is 5th overall in the series. Youngster Anna Thomas (13th) ran well as did Rowan Goodrich (17th). Well done to the B team who finished a creditable 5th on the day with Laura Singh (21st), Ianthe Jones (22nd) and Zoe Placzkiewcz (24th).

In the U17 race again there was an early breakaway leader (Liam Johnson from St Helens Sutton), followed by a chasing pack. Josh Watson was first to drop off this pack and was caught by Jay Hutchinson who looked to be having an easier race, but with James Walton close behind the three finished 6th, 7th and 8th to take the team race and clinch the overall team title. Trafford Mens B team were in 4th place, Toby Robinson is back into training and finished 17th and close behind were Dan Partington (20th) and Isaac True (21st). This race keeps Jay in joint third place individually.

There was a good turnout in the U17 womens race and out of the 27 finishers Isobel Thomas was 11th and Sophie Bowman 15th.

In the Senior Womens race, even with a few women missing the strength in depth was still there for the Trafford women as the A, B, C and Vets teams are all on target for Team medals. First Trafford runner out of the 289 finishers was Amelia Williams in 23rd place. Then with a great run was the 17 year old Isabel Pearson in 32nd overall and shw was also ahead of several of her rivals in the U20 race where she finished 3rd.  This moves her to a close 5th overall in the U20 womens series. Right behind was Zoe Storr (33rd) and then great packing from Louise Ambler looking strong off her marathon training (60th), Alison Drasdo (61st and 1st vet 55), Teresa Kemp (66th), Eve Southern (76th), Alice Woodbridge (97th), Louise Mangan (114th), Joe Lott (152nd), Rachel McDonnell (170th), Ruth Beresford (218th) and Sue Exon (249th and 2nd V70).

In the Men's race it is the U20's who are chasing the medals as the team once again won the U20 Men's race and are now certain to win that title. In this race it was Joe Deighton first back in 26th overall place and 4th U20, with Fin Mayoh 31st (5th U20) and Ned Silvey 69th (7th U20). Fin is now joint first for the individual title and Joe is in third place overall. Completing the senior mens team was Laurence Skidmore (37th), Jeff Prest (42nd and 2nd V50) and Simon O'Meara (44th). Richard Turner (161st and 8th V55) was next and this moves him up to 5th V55 overall. Next was John Howe (171st) who after a hip replacement was making his return to racing after an eight year abscence. Finishing off the team with good runs were George Wright (183rd) and Mike Hutchinson (233rd).

Full results can be found here.