England glory for Howard

ATHLETICS: OLDHAM and Royton Harriers’ member Adam Howard helped England clinch the team prize at the Aviva Schools International Cross-Country Championships in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The Waterhead Academy pupil came home in eighth place in 18min 14sec.

Meanwhile, Harriers team-mate Mike Mannings won the Oldham park run in 17:44 — a new personal best time.

Helen Hadfield was fourth woman to cross the line (28:56), and she was followed by Jodie Tinker, sixth in 29:35.

At the Wilmslow Half Marathon, Dominic Kennerley set a new personal best of one hour 24 minutes 46 seconds as he prepares for London.

Lee O’Brien also set a new pb (1:32:41), while David Elliot also put himself through his paces for the London Marathon with a time of 1:49:02.

Sara Bott (1:50:12), Alistair Mallen running (1:50:26) and Maggie Elliott (2:16:20) also performed with great credit.


In the first track meeting of the season at Cleckheaton, Harrier Christopher Brown won the under-15s 800 metres in a new personal best of 2:15.3. He also ran 27.7 in the 200m and reached 4.42m in the long jump.

Leah McDonald crossed the line in 11.8 seconds in the 75m and recorded 3.74m in the long jump.

In the under-17 girls category, Heather Moran produced good runs in the 100m (13.4s) and 200m (27.6s).

Meanwhile, Katie Frostran clocked 32.8s in the 200m and threw 18.89m in the discus.

In the senior women’s division, Melanie Lee launched the hammer 32.92m, while Sharon Harper recorded 22.55m.

Harper also registered 20.83m in the discus and 7.43m in the shot put.

In the senior men’s category, Reece Hendley ran 400m in 53.6s and Brad Szacas finished in 53.0s.

Lee Broadbent ran 12.4s for the 100m and Gary Kearns 12.5s. Broadbent also ran the 200m in 25.1s and Kearns 25.9s.