A Superb day at the Races for the Green & Gold.

No gold medals this time round but two sets of silver and a bronze from a NATIONAL event would be an envy to many a club.

Our success this time came at the National cross country relay championships staged at Mansfield with the under 17 women first away. Here Ezrah Harrold put in another fine run to come through in second place from the field of 62 starters with a time of 8m 43s.  Now Lottie Wilkin was to put in a performance to bring Chelmsford to the fore with her time of 8m 52s. The final circuit with Amelie Shipton coming up with 9m 22s was to see a final spot of third for the bronze medals - just one second down Lincoln with leaders Aldershot taking top spot fifty second ahead. Yes, we most certainly missed our number one Jorjia March for this would have no doubt proved to bring a great battle for top spot. The `B` team with Hetty Harrison 9m 34s, Emme Lole 9m 20s and Harriet Matthews 9m 42s placed 10th.

The under 15 girls’ team were also involved in a close battle as Isla Kehoe with 7m 17s came in for seventh place on lap one. Ava King 7m 12s then moved into second with 7m 12s which Lily Sanford, with 7m 26s, retained holding off Hallamshire, Windsor, Slough and Eton winners. The `B` team of Beatrix Cooke 7m 52s, Erin Kelly 7m 32s and Frankie Phillips 7m 35s placed 12^th, whilst a `C` team of Hattie Blackburn, Orla Martin and Vivien Prelevic finished 24th of 82 teams.

Very pleasing to see the under 13-year boys coming away with medals. Mason Sanford put them on the way coming through in fourth spot with 6m 49s. Now two lads only last season with the Chelmsford Endurance team (under 11`s) and in their first race at national level put in very good efforts for Freddie Blacketer, 7m 24s, moved into third and Dylan Law, 7m 19s passed yet another to give the team silver medals behind Shaftesbury Harriers. In other races the under 13 girls’ team of Bella Kehoe, 8m 00s, Jessica Hobson 8m 19s and Leila Robinson, 8m 08s, place 18th - winners here Brentwood.

In the under 17 men Daniel Pollard 9m 59s on the first stage placed 48th, Max Chivers 9m 54s moved to 39th with Austin Kelly with 10m 02s (very consistent times here) bringing a final placing of 34th. For the under 15 boys James Gilbey 6m 38s, Josh Humphries 6m 44s and Fred Ferman 7m 06s finished 12th.

On to the junior men with Arthur Ballard 9m 11s, Jacob Hurrell 8m 46s, one of the fastest times of the event, and Sam Plummer another 9m 11s seventh position was obtained. Our senior men squad of William Nuttall, Lewis Harknett, Joseph Perry and Thomas Woodward can be pleased with a final placing of 29th from the largest field of the day of 172.

After their victory in the previous weeks league fixture, it was perhaps disappointing that a full team could be put out here - but then we do have so many away at university both in the UK and the USA. However, what a great run by Megan Harris on the first stage being second with 9m 41s from the 122 and Antonia Moore putting in a lap of 12m 04s. Realistically we would have not expected to feature amongst the topflight but maybe as our youngsters move up the age levels who knows.

For the full gallery click here.

Report written by Roy Meadowcroft