Howard revels in UK title glory

PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT. . . Christopher Brown (left) and Adam Howard.

ATHLETICS: ADAM Howard’s performance in the UK Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships was so good, his mum watched it twice.

The 15-year-old dazzled Cofton Park, Birmingham, by clinching victory for Greater Manchester in the under-15s boys 4.5k race.

Oldham and Royton Harriers member Adam finished in 14 minutes and 58 seconds, and maintained his record of winning every cross-country event in which he has competed since the start of winter.

And mum Louise could not resist playing it back on television.

She said: “The event was covered on Sky Sports 3, so naturally we recorded it!”

Adam’s latest triumph was part of the McCain Cross Challenge.

And it added to first-place finishes at events in Cardiff, Sunderland and Liverpool.

As for the race, Adam said: “It went great, I could say to plan, but it was a race right to the finish and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

Matthew Shaugnessy came 92nd in Adam’s age group, while in the under-13s, Christopher Brown finished 23rd.

Elsewhere, five Harriers travelled to Lancaster for the Trimpel 20-mile road race, in preparation for the London Marathon.

Dominic Kennerley led the team home with a great run for a new personal best in two hours 18 minutes 43 seconds, followed by Pete Williams who set a new over-50 best time of 2:27:19.

Sara Bott also set a quickest finish in 2:56:22.

Running their first ever 20-mile races ahead of their marathon debuts, Paula Lashley crossed the line in 3:11:54, and Maggie Elliot completed it in 3:41:40.




AS principal partner of UK Athletics, McCain Foods is committed to encouraging more people to get involved with athletics at every level. Details ay www.mccaintrackandfield.co.uk