Northern 6 Stage Relays

 I was very pleased to come away from this race with the fastest leg of the day after last week's disappointment over 1500m at Preston.   I ran a time of 16:22 for the 5.6k leg moving Liverpool from 12^th place to 3^rd place on leg 2.  It was a great team performance to get a medal as a couple of the lads have been struggling with injuries the last few weeks or so but fair play to both Richie Burney and Ricky Challinor they both had great runs considering, particularly Ricky on last leg moving us through from 5^th to 3^rd.  I think little Gundo will really struggle to get back into the A team when he comes back from the states and may have to settle for a spot in the B team with Hoy and Brady.  Everyone will be that bit fitter come the National so looking forward to that. 

From a personal point of view I think I went off quite aggressively on my leg and was starting to fade a little towards the end but still managed to hold it quite well.  I had Dave Norman and Anthony Ford both chasing me down on my leg so this was good motivation to keep Liverpool ahead of the Manchester teams and I thought that if I held them off I would be on for a good individual time.

The whole club did well as a quite a few of the junior teams did well, picking up a load of medals and our senior women's team with Soph running came 2^nd. 

A few people have moaned about the set up at the race and the facilities since, I am not sure but do teams have to offer to host the event?  I think this is what happens so surely Sale should be praised for hosting the last two Northern Relay events now and if other teams think they could do better then they should have a go at hosting the event?  I know Liverpool could host a great event in Sefton Park but for some reason the club haven't expressed an interest in hosting the event.  1^st time in a while the kids have been on before the senior event, which I think made for a better atmosphere as well and maybe, helps the kids make more of a successful transition to the senior event.  All in all a good day! 

Results courtesy of www.race-results.co.uk

1  Derby AC                       'A'  1:42:35
        Alex Pilcher     (3) 16:52
        Jonathan Gilby   (1) 16:35
        Joshua Bull      (4) 17:49
        B Connor         (1) 16:57
        J Wildrianne     (2) 17:54
        Richard Weir     (1) 16:28


  2  Altrincham & District AC       'A'  1:42:50
        Nick Leigh       (13) 17:26
        David Norman     (9) 17:03
        James Reed       (7) 17:39
        Matthew Barnes   (4) 16:42
        Gavin Thompson   (1) 17:15
        Andrew Norman    (2) 16:45


  3  Liverpool Harriers & AC        'A'  1:43:50
        Adam Peers       (12) 17:23
        Johnny Mellor    (3) 16:22
        John McCole      (1) 17:01
        Mark Keeley      (3) 17:40
        Richard Burney   (5) 18:07
        R Challinor      (3) 17:17

1  Johnny Mellor  Liverpool  A   16:22        6  Ben Fish       Blackburn  A   16:39
2  Richard Weir   Derby Ac   A   16:28        7  Tom Doe        Lincoln We A   16:40
3  Anthony Ford   Sale Harri A   16:33        8  Matthew Barnes Altrincham A   16:42
=  Patrick Martin Sunderland     16:33        9  David Webb     Leeds City A   16:44
5  Jonathan Gilby Derby Ac   A   16:35       10  Andrew Norman  Altrincham A   16:45