Results from around the nation on a busy and cold weekend for club endurance runners

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS, St Neots, January 5

 

Daughter and mother Jenny and Ellen Leggate took the first two places in the women’s race with a 40-second gap between the pair.

 

Southern silver medalist Jenny also finished fifth in the delayed 2024 English National when Ellen was seventh in the senior women’s race.

 

Men’s race winner Ben Jones took his first in the county after placing third in 2020.

 

Men: 1 B Jones (C&C) 34:30; 2 S Beedell (P’boro & NV, U20) 34:38; 3 J Snedden (P’boro & NV, U20) 35:15

 

M45: 1 T Farrer (Hunts) 39:38

 

M55: 1 A Turnbull (R’side) 40:37

 

TEAM: 1 Peterboro & NV 53; 2 Cambridge & Coleridge 80; 3 Hunts 104

 

M35 TEAM: 1 Hunts 14

 

U20 TEAM: 1 P’boro & NV 8

 

U17: 1 S McDonald (C&C) 19:11; 2 A Johnson (C&C) 19:18; 3 C McBrien 19:29

 

TEAM: 1 C&C 6

 

U15: 1 H Cantell (C&C) 17:44; 2 G Calver (W Suff) 18:17; 3 H Pearson (C&C) 18:29

 

TEAM: 1 C&C 9

 

U13: 1 J Spavins Kett) 10:34; 2 A Reddish (Hunts) 10:49; 3 A Gunn (Yax) 11:02

 

TEAM: 1 Hunts 18

 

Women:1 J Leggate (C&C, U20) 20:41; 2 E Leggate (C&C, W45) 21:21; 3 I Mansley (C&C, U20) 22:14

 

W55: 1 I Marriage (Royst) 28:27

 

TEAM: 1 C&C 6; 2 C&C B 22; 3 Hunts 34

 

W35 TEAM: 1 Riverside 22

 

U17: 1 C Hughes (C&C) 20:08; 2 E Kerswell (C&C) 20:32; 3 J King (C&C) 21:58

 

TEAM: 1 C&C 6

 

U15: 1 J Christmas (C&C) 17:18; 2 C Booth (Kett) 19:05; 3 E Lydon (Hunts) 20:30

 

TEAM: 1 C&C 13

 

U13: 1 H Roques (C&C) 11:54; 2 O Peach (P’boro & NV) 12:08; 3 I Hilton (Hunts) 12:11

 

TEAM: 1 C&C 12

 

CHESHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Betley, January 4

 

Men: 1 D Cliffe (HW) 31:31; 2 A Doyle (Vale R) 31:37; 3 A Dight (Vale R) 31:49

 

M45: 1 C Stanford (Warr) 33:35

 

TEAM: 1 Vale Royal

 

U20: 1 J Richardson (Hallam) 32:10. TEAM: 1 Vale Royal

 

U17: 1 M Wood (Macc) 19:47. TEAM: 1 Warrington

 

U15: 1 J Ireland (Macc) 14:26. TEAM: 1 Warrington

 

U13: 1 C Smith (C&N) 11:30. TEAM: 1 Warrington

 

Women: 1 S Dufour-Jackson (Vale R) 24:13; 2 K Latham (Nant, W35) 25:36; 3 C Parsons (Chesh Dr, W45) 25:43

 

TEAM: 1 Vale Royal

 

W35 TEAM: 1 Vale Royal

 

U20: 1 G Roberts (Vale R) 24:33. TEAM: 1 Vale Royal

 

U17: 1 E Jha (Vale R) 22:24. TEAM: 1 Warrington

 

U15: 1 E Kinsey (Warr) 16:55. TEAM: 1 Warrington

 

U13: 1 B Bailey (Bing) 12:04. TEAM: 1 Crewe & Nantwich

 

 

Scott Nutter (Cumbria Champs)

 

CUMBRIA CHAMPIONSHIPS, Penrith, January 4

 

It was a family double for the Nutter brothers from Border Harriers as Scott won the senior men’s crown and brother Ben took the under-20 men’s title.

 

Men: 1 S Nutter (Border) 36:11

 

M50: 1 J Hatcher Border) 39:22

 

U20: 1 B Nutter (Border) 40:12

 

TEAM: 1 Border

 

U17: 1 G Tiffin-Lowe (Border) 18:22. TEAM: 1 Kendal

 

U15: 1 G Martin (Sedbergh Sch) 16:30. TEAM: 1 Leven V

 

U13: 1 N Cook (Barrow &F) 9:58. TEAM: 1 Kendal

 

Women:1 C McKnespiey (Leeds) 30:54

 

W45: 1 S Taylor (Helm H) 33:52

 

U20: 1 A Leadbetter (Newc U) 34:19

 

TEAM: 1 Border

 

U17: 1 R Gilldaley (Eden) 22:13. TEAM: 1 Leven V

 

U15: 1 C Bradley (Kendal) 19:12. TEAM: 1 Kendal

 

U13: 1 M Barron (Kendal) 11:31. TEAM: 1 Kendal

 

ESSEX CHAMPIONSHIPS, Basildon, January 4

 

Adam Hickey led his Southend club to another Essex title as only Havering’s Callum Charleston, the defending champion, was able to stay reasonably close despite falling and dislocating his shoulder.

 

It is five years since the 36-year-old won an Essex cross-country title, the same 2020 year that he was second in the Inter-Counties and won the Southern title. That now makes it five senior titles over the country to go with Hickey’s numerous international representative honours.

 

The senior women were put in a joint race with the under-20 men, so winner Kai Mhlanga, the England 1500m champion and Euro Cross relay international, missed the opportunity of leading them home as 10 men were ahead.

 

However, at least second placed Kate O’Neil had the Herts Phoenix runner just ahead at the line, albeit 30 metres, or so, down.

 

In that under-20 men’s race, it was all Chelmsford as Joseph Grange, the 2024 Southern third placer, had more than 150 metres to spare over two clubmates. Defending champion Sam Plummer, who was second in the delayed English National in September, was followed by Will Nuttall and they look a good bet for team honours in the majors this winter.

 

Elsewhere in the younger age groups, Olivia Forrest, 2024 multiple event champion, comfortably retained her under-17 title, as Brentwood Beagles team-mates Summer Smith and Madison Kindler added the younger girls’ events.

 

Men: 1 A Hickey (S’end) 39:24; 2 C Charleston (Chelms) 39:53; 3 J Stewart (Hav’g) 41:00

 

TEAM: 1 Southend 77; 2 Woodford Green with Essex Ladies 110; 3 Colchester H 147

 

U20: 1 J Grange (Chelm) 26:20; 2 S Plummer (Chelm) 27:00; 3 W Nuttall (Chelm) 27:09

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 11

 

U17: 1 J Hurrell (Chelm) 20:14; 2 T Jones (S’end) 20:16; 3 F Rowe (Hav’g) 20:19

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 50; 2 WG&EL 56; 3 Basildon 59

 

U15: 1 G Watkins (WG&EL) 14:43; 2 J Delaney (Chelm) 15:24; 3 J Parrott (Chelm) 15:32

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 22; 2 Brentwood 55; 3 WG&EL 57

 

U13: 1 E Frith (WG&EL) 11:45; 2 11O Lupton (SS Ath) 12:00; 3 M Sanford (Chelm) 12:01

 

TEAM: 1 SS Athletics 26; 2 Chelmsford 49; 3 WG&EL 62

 

 

Khai Mhlanga (Steve Wilkin)

 

Women:1 K Mhlanga (Herts P) 30:11; 2 K O’Neil (Hav’g) 30:20; 3 L Reid (Hav’g) 31:43

 

TEAM: 1 Havering 37; 2 Colchester H 38; 3 Springfield 73

 

U20: 1 C Sergeant (C&T) 26:12; 2 L Nuttall (Chelm) 26:35; 3 A Begg (Col H) 26:46

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 20

 

U17: 1 O Forrest (B’wood) 20:25; 2 L Wilkin (Chelm) 21:10; 3 E Warn (B’wood) 21:27

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 28’ 2 WG&EL 66; 3 Havering 75

 

U15: 1 S Smith (B’wood) 16:16; 2 H Woodley (B’wood) 16:28; 3 E Harrold (Chelm) 16:44

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 18; 2 Brentwood 32; 3 Havering 44

 

U13: 1 M Kindler (B’wood) 11:58; 2 B Cooke (Chelm) 12:13; 3 I Kehoe (Chelm) 12:20

 

TEAM: 1 Chelmsford 21; 2 WG&EL 47; 3 SS Athletics 57

 

HAMPSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Botley, January 4

 

Fairthorne Manor played host as Aldershot runners Theo Doran and Kate Estlea-Morris collected the senior gold medals but their club was notable for its absence from the podiums of the young athletes’ events.

 

For Doran, it was his first county championship win over the country although he had delivered some success on the track in earlier years.

 

Estlea-Morris has more of a pedigree since joining from Basingstoke a few years earlier, particularly in Aldershot’s successful relay and championship teams and placed fifth in the 2023 South of England Championships.

 

Perhaps the biggest winner of the day was under-17 women’s race winner Florence East, who opened out a winning margin of well over a minute on second placed Imogen Edwards to retain her title. A sixth spot in the Inter-Counties was the Portsmouth runner’s best effort of 2024.

 

Men: 1 T Doran (AFD) 36:39; 2 P Hart (Soton) 37:00; 3 R James (Soton) 37:35

 

M40: 1 A Greenleaf (Win) 38:37

 

M45: 1 H Calvert (AFD) 40:32

 

M50: 1 A Hamilton (Soton) 42:39

 

M60: 1 P Spencer (E’leigh) 48:37

 

M65: 1 M White (Stubb) 48:51

 

TEAM: 1 Southampton 54; 2 Aldershot, Farnham & D 79; 3 Guernsey 87

 

M40 TEAM: 1 Guernsey 31; 2 Winchester RC 33; 3 Portsmouth 58

 

U20: 1 W Atkins (Win RC) 29:18; 2 J Rees (Guern) 30:24; 3 L Holmes (Jers) 30:36

 

TEAM: 1 Winchester RC 6

 

U17: 1 A Pearson (IoW) 21:17; 2 C Wilson (Win RC) 21:27; 3 R Price (Win RC) 21:38

 

TEAM: 1 Winchester RC 6; 2 Portsmouth 22; 3 Winchester RC B 22

 

U15: 1 R Moore (BMH) 13:32/ O Knipe (Ports) 13:54; 3 N Manojkumar (BMH) 14:03

 

TEAM: 1 BMH 17; 2 Jersey 47; 3 Winchester & D 50

 

U13: 1 J Tildersley (Ports) 11:53; 2 P Friedrich (Guern) 12;15; 3 T Wilson (Jers) 12:19

 

TEAM: 1 Soton 46; 2 Guernsey 47; 3 Winchester & District 48

 

Women: 1 K Estlea-Morris (AFD) 32:35; 2 S Winstone (Soton, W35) 33:52; 3 A Lane (Win RC) 34:00

 

W40: 1 E Jolly (Ports) 36:48

 

W45: 1 K Haniver (Stubb) 37:27

 

W50: 1 S Guerney (Win RC) 38:46

 

W60: 1 C Wheeler (Over) 41:57

 

TEAM: 1 Soton 33; 2 AFD 35; 3 Winchester RC 45

 

W35 TEAM: 1 Soton 16; 2 Winchester RC 45; 2 Portsmouth 52

 

U20: 1 E Johnson (Win RC) 36:15; 2 L Johnson (New F J) 37:21; 3 I Palmer-Ward (Ports) 37:24

 

TEAM: no team closed in

 

U17: 1 F East (Ports) 23:45; 2 I Edwards (BMH) 25:03; 3 H Sterry (Jers) 26:19

 

TEAM: 1 BMH 10; 2 Winchester RC 17; 3 Jersey 21

 

U15: 1 M Spiers (BMH) 15:43; 2 K Hoppe (Soton) 15:44; 3 G King (Guern) 15:45

 

TEAM: 1 BMH 27; 2 Portsmouth 30; 3 Guernsey 50

 

U13: 1 D Bulters (Win) 12:44; 2 F Klepacz (Ports) 12;46; 3 T Goodchild (Havant) 12:56

 

TEAM: 1 Portsmouth 18; 2 Winchester & D 32; 3 Guernsey 38

 

HERTS & MIDDLESEX JOINT CHAMPIONSHIPS, Trent Park, Cockfosters, London, January 4

 

Hertfordshire runners Brett Rushman, Oscar Bell and Tom Butler easily came out on top in this joint championship that was scored separately.

 

It was the same story in the senior women’s event where Annabel Gummow led another one-two-three for Hertfordshire and it was top veteran Kate Rennie who was a close third behind Zoe Hewitson but the pair were nearly two minutes down on Gummow, who ran a nippy 56:11 in the Cabbage Patch 10, which followed a series of 5km races in about 16:30.

 

 

 

Men: 1 B Rushman (Herts P) 33:25; 2 O Bell (Herts P) 33;46; 3 T Butler (SB) 34:31

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 92; 2 Herts Phoenix 112; 3 Ware J 148

 

U20: 1 G Stubbs (SB) 24:32; 2 A Marshall (St Alb) 24:48; 3 O Loveday St Alb) 25:05

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 11

 

U17: 1 L Dunham (Herts P) 18:44; 2 B Murphy (Hetrts P) 19:17; 3 M Benvenisti (Herts P) 20:36

 

TEAM: 1 Herts P 6; 2 St Albans 18; 3 Sat Albans B 37

 

U15: 1 T Murphy (Dac) 13:11; 2 T Ford (Chilt) 13:41; 3 T Pritchard (Dac) 13;47

 

TEAM: 1 Dacorum 10; 2 Herts P 20; 3 Watford 33

 

U13: 1 J Docherty (Dac) 10:28; 2 J McNaught (St Alb) 10:36; 3 J Maidedn (Herts P) 10:40

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 12; 2 St Albans B 36

 

Women:1 A Gummow (Herts P) 27:07; 2 Z Hewitson (Royst) 28:53; 3 K Rennie (Dac, W50) 29:09

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 35; 2 St Albans B 70; 3 Watford J 81

 

U20: 1 A Jubb (St Alb) 22:15; 2 S McGrath (St Alb) 22:58; 3 T Woodhouse (Herts P) 23:32

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 7

 

U17: 1 L Johnson (Dac) 22:18; 2 E Ford (Chilt) 23:58; 3 G Luckhurst (Wat) 24:19

 

TEAM: 1 Dacorum 18; 2 St Albans 22; 3 St Albans B 34

 

U15: 1 E McGinley (Wat) 16:07; 2 P Daniels (St Alb) 16:58; 3 S So (S&NH) 17:21

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 11; 2 Stevenage & North Herts 18

 

U13: 1 A Rochester (Wat) 11:27; 2 E Smith (St Alb) 11:41; 3 I Walsh (St Alb) 12:10

 

TEAM: 1 St Albans 9; 2 St Albans B 20; 3 Watford 22

 

 

Terry Fawden (Mike Lepps)

 

Middlesex

 

Men: 1 T Fawden (High) 33:58; 2 M Cameron (TVH) 34:42; 3 P Surafel (TVH) 35:53

 

TEAM: 1 Thames Valley 67; 2 London Heathside 84; 3 Serpentine 169

 

TEAM (12 to score): 1 London Heathside 576

 

U20: 1 S Greenstein (SB) 25:25; 2 F Kent (High) 25:48; 3 E Jackson (Trent P) 26:19

 

TEAM: 1 Highgate 12; 2 Shaftesbury 13; 3 Harrow 37

 

U17: 1 H Austin (High) 18:25; 2 T Mythen (St Mary’s) 19:08; 3 D Jelfs (St Mary’s) 19:32

 

TEAM: 1 Highgate 25; 2 Enfield & Haringey 28; 3 London Heathside 30

 

U15: 1 A Pflug (High) 13:09; 2 D Lewis (Hill) 13:54; 3 K Hussein (VP&TH) 14:04

 

TEAM: 1 VP&TH 20; 2 London Heathside 31; 3 Highgate 42

 

U13: 1 B Kaspar (SB) 10:36; 2 D Pascal (SB) 10:38; 3 A Pettican (High) 10:52

 

TEAM: 1 Shaftesbury 14; 2 VP&TH 20; 3 Highgate 41

 

Women: 1 H Viner (High) 28:16; 2 L Sterritt (TVH) 28:44; 3 R Piggott (Lon H) 29;12

 

TEAM: 1 London Heathside 35; 2 Trent Park 76; 3 Hillingdon 78

 

U20: 1 A Massey (TVH) 22:22; 2 I Watkins (Lon H) 24:05; 3 E McClusky (Barn) 24:12

 

TEAM: 1 TVH 14; 2 London Heathside 15

 

U17: 1 R James (VP&TH) 22:59; 2 L Delvendahl (High) 23:30; 3 L McDonald (VP&TH) 23:38

 

TEAM: 1 VP&TH 8; 2 Highgate 19

 

U15: 1 J March (Barn) 15:31; 2 S Allen (High) 15:32; 3 A Johnson (ESM) 15:37

 

TEAM: 1 ST Mary’s 25; 2 ESM 30; 3 London Heathside 35

 

U13: 1 V Meralidhar (ESM) 11:44; 2 M George (TVH) 12:03; 3 E Johnson (ESM) 12:14

 

TEAM: 1 ESM 18; 2 St Mary’s 50; 3 London Heathside 52

 

 

James Kingston leads (Mark Hookway)

 

Kent Championships, Brands Hatch, January 4

 

James Kingston, the 2023 English National champion, won his third successive county title with a clear victory at a very cold Brands Hatch.

 

The 20 year-old first year senior Louis Small, who beat a below-par Kingston at Liverpool in November, held him to midway through the race.

 

However, the Tonbridge athlete, who was a fine 16th in Britain’s winning Euro under-23 team in December, proved his greater strength over the former English Schools and Inter Counties winner.

 

Kingston was one second faster than he had been on the course in 2024.

 

Tonbridge packed six in the first seven to win both six and 12 to score contests with ease with Alex Howard third ahead of South of Thames champion Cole Gibbens.

 

Initially it looked as if there could also be a Kingston victory in the women’s race as the non-related Naomi Kingston of Blackheath and Bromley looked like she could go one better than in 2024.

 

However, Rebecca Weston, running her first Kent Championships since finishing second to Emily Hosker-Thornhill in the 2013 under-20 race, proved the stronger.

 

Invicta’s Weston had finished 33rd in the World Championships that year where Britain took bronze medals but then took a break from the sport until 2019 and now, aged 30, she ran 2:57:15 in the Amsterdam Marathon but should go much faster in London this year.

 

 

Rebecca Weston (Mark Hookway)

 

Kingston, who had been seven seconds behind Weston’s 27th in Liverpool, finished a clear second with Charlotte Young finishing strongly for the bronze.

 

Last year’s winner Holly Dixon was unable to compete as she was racing in Spain for England over the weekend, finishing in sixth in Elgoibar behind winner Beatrice Chebet.

 

Blackheath, with Kent League leader Chloe Sharp and Millie Smith, were easy team winners.

 

Remarkably 61-year-old Clare Elms was first master (W35 plus) by over a minute. She was second scorer in Kent’s bronze medal winning team and she overtook former English National under-13 runner up Morgan Squibb, who is 40 years her junior, in the final mile as the pair completed the top 10.

 

The closest race of the day was the under-13 boys with Emery Aldridge and Guy Bowers tight finish deemed a tie.

 

Medway’s Freddie Gibson, sixth in Liverpool, and winner of three Kent Leagues this winter, easily won the under-15 boys race. Alex Dack, a former under-13 and under-15 winner, added the under-20 title and led Invicta to team victory.

 

Blackheath’s Jed Starvis was first under-17.

 

 

Sophie Richmond (Mark Hookway)

 

The most overwhelming junior winner was under-15 girl Sophie Richmond of Weald Tri who retained her title by more than a minute as Cambridge won team gold as just six points covered the top four.

 

Under-13 winner Tyla Jade Thomas of Dartford went one better than last year as Cambridge again won team gold.

 

Blackheath dominated the under-20 women’s race with World Cross-Country 25th-placer Eliza Nicholson leading a clean sweep of the medals after winning under-17 gold last year in the combined race.

 

 

Eliza Nicholson (Mark Hookway)

 

Holly Diprose of Sevenoaks was the leading under-17 this year as Medway took their one team gold of the day.

 

The event which looked in danger of not going ahead earlier in the winter after previous local organisers were unable to carry on, finally went ahead with special thanks to Central’s Tony Durey and Anoushka Johnson, Tonbridge’s Mark Hookway and Kent County’s Brian Charlton with many masters runners helping with the marshalling.

 

Men (12km): 1 J Kingston (Ton) 38:18; 2 L Small (Ash) 38:57; 3 A Howard (Ton) 39:30; 4 C Gibbens (Ton) 40:00; 5 L Mills (Ton) 40:03

M35: 1 A Wilson (Dulw) 41:01; 2 B Cole (Ton) 41:39

M45: 1 A Webb (M&M) 42:37; 2 D Kendall (Camb H) 43:09

M50: 1 A Bond (Dulw) 45:37; 2 L Ercolani (B&B) 48:18

M55: 1 S Lynch (Ash) 52:12

M60: 1 G Saker (Ton) 50:48; 2 G Turner (TWH) 55:19

M65: 1 M Leat (Camb H) 55:47; 2 S Smythe (Dulw) 59:19

TEAM: 1 Ton 26; 2 M&M 144; 3 Camb H 178

TEAM (12 to score): 1 Ton 186; 2 Camb H 531; 3 M&M 579

 

U20 (6.1km): 1 A Dack (Inv) 19:52; 2 F Shepherd (M&M) 19:58; 3 N Paterson (Inv) 20:01

TEAM: 1 Invicta 13; 2 Tonbridge 16; 3 B’hth 29

U17 (6.1km): 1 J Starvis (B&B) 20:02; 2 T Bawtree (Ton) 20:18; 3 J Hill (B&B) 20:24

TEAM: 1 Ton 18; 2 B’hth 22; 3 Camb H 78

U15 (4.4km): 1 F Gibson (M&M) 15:11; 2 K Farrell (B&B) 15:53; 3 L Gear (M&M) 15:58

TEAM: 1 B’hth 17; 2 Ton 47; 3 M&M 88

U13 (3km): eq 1 E Aldridge (B&B)/G Bowers (Padd) 10:39; 3 H Young (White C) 11:03

TEAM: 1 B’hth 25; 2 Ton 43; 3 Sev 102

 

Women (8.4km): 1 R Weston (Inv) 31:21; 2 N Kingston (B&B) 31:59; 3 C Young (M&M) 32:13; 4 C Sharp (B&B) 32:27; 5 A Smith (B&B) 32:39

W35: 1 E Jenkins (Kent) 36:17

W40: 1 L Vincent (Dulw) 37:13; 2 V Cartwright (Kent) 37:29

W45: 1 E Owen (Ton) 36:47; 2 H Behagg (DRR) 38:19

W50: 1 K Cudmore (M&M) 39:47; 2 A Farrall (TWH) 40:22

W55: 1 K Marchant (Beck) 40:27

W60: 1 C Elms (Kent) 35:23; 2 T Taylor (TWH) 39:41; 3 R Baker (Camb H) 40:53

W65: 1 J Brown (Ash) 48:27; 2 J Moorekite (Inv EK) 54:46

W70: 1 M McDonald (Camb H) 55:30

TEAM: 1 B’hth 11; 2 Invicta 25: 3 Kent 29

TEAM (6 to score): 1 B’hth 75; 2 Kent 88; 3 Tunbridge Wells 160

 

U20 (6.1km): 1 E Nicholson (B&B) 22:26; 2 H Clark (B&B) 22:57; 3 C Firth (B&B) 23:29

TEAM: 1 B&B 6; 2 M&M 15; 3 Ton 43

U17 (6.1km): 1 H Diprose (Sev) 23:38; 2 E Tynan (Camb H) 23:58; 3 H Painter (Med T) 24:05

TEAM: 1 M&M 15

U15 (4.4km): 1 S Richmond (Weald) 16:41; 2 A Chappell (Ash) 17:44; 3 C Yeatman (Camb H) 18:25

TEAM: 1 Camb H 26; 2 B&B 31; 3 Ton 31

U13 (3km): 1 T Thomas (Dart) 11:39; 2 C Foster (Camb H) 11:50; 3 Z Chappell (Ash) 12:16

TEAM: 1 Camb H 13; 2 Ton 23; 3 B&B 27

 

LANCASHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Blackburn, January 4

 

Junior William Walker, who was only eighth in the 2024 North of England under-20 championship, came out on top overall ahead of Ross Harrison as Ruth Jones regained the women’s title she held before in 2023.

 

Men: 1 W Walker (CleM, U20) 33:08; 2 R Harrison (B’burn) 33:50; 3 S Perry (Northern, IoM, U20) 33:58

 

M50: 1 R Hope (PYB) 35:14

 

M60: 1 G Goodwin (Acc) 38:57

 

TEAM: 1 Blackburn 116; 2 Rossendale 117; 3 Preston 139

 

M40 TEAM: 1 Blackburn 69

 

U20 TEAM: 1 Northern IoM 18; 2 Preston 25

 

M70: 1 P Quibell (Wesh) 31:15

 

U17: 1 M Clark (Prest) 17:33; 2 F Myles (Prest) 17:48; 3 H Ward (B’burn) 19:08

 

TEAM: 1 Preston 8; 2 Blackburn 29

 

U15: 1 F Vidler (Ross) 12:38; 2 H Stennett (Northern, IOM) 12:48; 3 W Grundy (B’burn) 13:07

 

TEAM: 1 Preston 22; 2 Blackpool Wyre & Fylde 26; 3 Blackburn 29

 

U13: 1 A Yates (Prest) 11:18; 2 F Cheyne (Prest) 11:26; 3 H Hopkinson (Prest) 11:36

 

TEAM: 1 Preston 6; 2 Manx 29; 3 BWF 41

 

Women:1 R Jones (Leeds) 24:55; 2 E McColm (Prest) 25:06; 3 N Jackson I(Kesw) 25:08

 

W40: 1 C Chisholm (Lytham) 27:39

 

W45: 1 J Robertson (Prest) 27:41

 

W50: 1 J Nelson (B’burn) 29:14

 

W55: 1 J Gorney (Lyth) 30:43

 

U20: 1 A Tomlinson (Prest) 26:01; 2 K Sutcliffe (Liv PS) 26:13; 3 Z Darkin (Prest) 26:31

 

TEAM: 1 Preston 27; 2 Blackburn 68; 3 Liverpool PS 77

 

W35 TEAM: 1 Rossendale 30

 

U17: 1 S Yates (Prest) 22:20; 2 T Duffey (Ross) 23:35; 3 I Perry (B’burn) 23:51

 

TEAM: 1 Preston 13; 2 Blackburn 15

 

U15: 1 K Leitch (BWF) 14:18; 2 S Mitchell (Prest) 14:25; 3 A Harling (BWF) 14:27

 

TEAM: 1 BWF 9; 2 Preston 26; 3 Blackburn 27

 

U13: 1 E Blackhurst (Prest) 12:30; 2 A Winstanley (Chor) 12:55; 3 B Quaye (Manx) 13:00

 

TEAM: 1 Preston 17; 2 Manx 35; 3 BWF 36

 

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS, Hinckley, January 4

 

September’s English National bronze medallist Gemma Steel added yet another county title over Burnage Common, to go with her wins in 2020 and 2023. These came on top of a stella career series of successes which included the 2014 European championship.

 

Dan Hallam won the men’s race to move up from his 2023 second place but there was success for his Wreake & Soar Valley club elsewhere. They had two runaway winners as Shaikira King, the European under-18 800m silver medallist, and Phoebe Langlands took the under-17 and under-15 races by large margins to retain their titles.

 

”

Lewis Hamilton with Kevin Magnussen in a circle bottom left

Lewis Hamilton and Kevin Magnussen

 

After scouring the data, Kevin Magnussen believes he has spotted a “trend” which linked him, Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo.

 

As the F1 2025 season draws closer, Hamilton is the only driver of this trio still with a place on the grid, the seven-time World Champion heading to Ferrari with doubters to silence after a challenging final season with Mercedes.

 

Lewis Hamilton yet to master ground effect F1 cars?

Additional reporting by Thomas Maher

 

Said season featured highs like his Silverstone and Spa wins, but lows such as Qatar where Hamilton declared himself “definitely not fast anymore”. The record holder for most Formula 1 pole positions with 104, Hamilton lost the Mercedes qualifying head-to-head versus George Russell 19-5.

 

And Magnussen, who lost his seat at Haas after the 2024 campaign, believes drivers like he, Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo – who was dropped in-season by VCARB [Racing Bulls] after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix – have been punished by this era of F1 machinery.

 

The new F1 cars – which utilise ground effect aerodynamics – came into effect in 2022, with Hamilton and Mercedes unable to mount a title challenge since then.

 

When speaking to the media, including PlanetF1.com, at the F1 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, it was put to Magnussen that he is a super-aggressive driver who is good on the brakes, like Hamilton and Ricciardo, but all three of them have struggled to shine in ground effect F1 cars.

 

He was therefore asked if he believed there was a link present between their respective issues.

 

“I think so,” he confirmed.

 

“It’s hard, because I can’t go deep into that data and analyse them as such, but I can see trends, you know, we do have some sort of GPS data and so.

 

“And I have been curious to, and had a look and see, if I can find some similarities. And it does seem like the drivers that have this particular way of driving, as we do, then we seem to struggle a bit more than others.

 

“I think it’s clear that Lewis is struggling. He’s been great in all the different cars he’s ever driven. Also before Formula 1, everything, he was great. These cars are very particular.

 

“And I think also because of the tyres. On top of the cars being aerodynamically and mechanically quite particular, the tyres also are a strange one.”

 

Delving deeper into the style with which he believes the ground effect F1 cars need to be driven, Magnussen highlighted one big no-no when at the wheel.

 

“You weren’t really able to combine as much as with any other car,” he said. “This car is very particular in that it doesn’t really like braking and turning at the same time.

 

“In general terms, you have to drive it like V-style a lot.”

 

With his Haas departure sealed, Magnussen will returns to the sportscar scene in 2025 as a BMW works driver, and will compete in either the IMSA SportsCar Championship or FIA World Endurance Championship.

 

.

Chris Wood celebrates after scoring Nottingham Forest’s second goal of the game against Wolves at Molineux.

Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi clinched a sixth successive Premier League win for Nottingham Forest as they toppled Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.

 

Not since 1966/67 had Forest won six games on the trot in the top tier, but that was what they were aiming for in the West Midlands. And they got off to the perfect start when Gibbs-White found the net against his former club with just seven minutes on the clock after being teed up by Anthony Elanga.

 

Wolves tried to summon a quick response, though, and it took an important block from Murillo and a big save from Matz Sels to keep them at bay. Sels had to come to the rescue again on the half hour as he thwarted a header from Jorgen Strand Larsen.

 

 

The Reds argued they should have got a chance to make it 2-0 from the spot with 34 minutes played when Ola Aina’s cross struck Rayan Ait-Nouri. However, a VAR check ruled against handball as his arm was deemed to have been in a “natural position”.

 

Nevertheless, they did double their lead right on the stroke of half-time. Callum Hudson-Odoi pulled the ball back for Wood, who slotted home his 12th goal of the campaign.

 

Sels made another crucial save to deny Strand Larsen after the break, then Awoniyi came off the bench to add gloss to the scoreline in added time. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Molineux.

 

 

Matz Sels: Forest had a lot to thank the Belgian for after they had taken the lead. Pulled off two excellent saves to retain his team’s advantage, then came to the rescue again with another big stop after the break. Rating: 9/10

 

 

Ola Aina: Had a significant workload to contend with as Wolves targeted his flank. Proved tough going at times. Regardless of VAR’s decision, will feel he should have had a first-half penalty. Rating: 8/10

 

Nikola Milenkovic: Some robust defending at times as the hosts applied the pressure. Having such a physical presence in the centre of the back makes a big difference for the Reds. Rating: 8.5/10

 

Murillo: Made a huge block early on to preserve his team’s lead after Gibbs-White’s opener. Forest did have a few nervy moments but the Brazilian helped secure another shut-out. Rating: 8.5/10

 

 

Neco Williams: Steady and solid. The Reds were under the cosh for spells, particularly in the first half, but the Welshman helped secure another clean-sheet and three points. Rating: 8/10

 

Elliot Anderson: Delightful touch to set Gibbs-White on his way for the opener. Prevented from getting on the scoresheet himself in the second half by a vital deflection. New England boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance and will have watched with interest. Rating: 8/10

 

Nicolas Dominguez: Can sometimes go under the radar with the work he does. In the first half especially, midfield duo didn’t quite get to grips with Wolves but the Argentine still did his bit. Rating: 7.5/10

 

Anthony Elanga: Continued his run of having a key impact by setting up Gibbs-White, adding to his assist against Everton and his three-match scoring streak prior to that. Has rediscovered his form at a good time. Rating: 8/10

 

Morgan Gibbs-White: On the end of a torrent of abuse from the home crowd but delivered the best possible response by scoring against his former club. Trademark fingers in ears celebration will no doubt have felt extra sweet. Rating: 8/10

 

 

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring Nottingham Forest’s opening goal at Molineux.

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Caused Wolves plenty of problems with some excellent bursts of speed down the left. Forest’s second goal summed up what he is capable of, and it paid off. Rating: 8.5/10

 

Chris Wood: Good movement and a neat finish to double the visitors’ advantage with his 12th of the campaign. Hadn’t had a great deal of service prior to that but he doesn’t miss those chances. Rating: 7.5/10

 

 

 

Morato (for Dominguez, 60mins): A little unfortunate to have been left out of the XI after a superb display at Everton. So well drilled in what is required whenever he comes on. Rating: 8/10

 

 

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest matchday LIVE – team news, Reds target big away win

Chris Wood celebrates after scoring Nottingham Forest’s second goal of the game against Wolves at Molineux.

Chris Wood celebrates after scoring Nottingham Forest’s second goal of the game against Wolves at Molineux.

Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi clinched a sixth successive Premier League win for Nottingham Forest as they toppled Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.

 

Not since 1966/67 had Forest won six games on the trot in the top tier, but that was what they were aiming for in the West Midlands. And they got off to the perfect start when Gibbs-White found the net against his former club with just seven minutes on the clock after being teed up by Anthony Elanga.

 

Wolves tried to summon a quick response, though, and it took an important block from Murillo and a big save from Matz Sels to keep them at bay. Sels had to come to the rescue again on the half hour as he thwarted a header from Jorgen Strand Larsen.

 

 

The Reds argued they should have got a chance to make it 2-0 from the spot with 34 minutes played when Ola Aina’s cross struck Rayan Ait-Nouri. However, a VAR check ruled against handball as his arm was deemed to have been in a “natural position”.

 

Nevertheless, they did double their lead right on the stroke of half-time. Callum Hudson-Odoi pulled the ball back for Wood, who slotted home his 12th goal of the campaign.

 

Sels made another crucial save to deny Strand Larsen after the break, then Awoniyi came off the bench to add gloss to the scoreline in added time. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Molineux.

 

 

Matz Sels: Forest had a lot to thank the Belgian for after they had taken the lead. Pulled off two excellent saves to retain his team’s advantage, then came to the rescue again with another big stop after the break. Rating: 9/10

 

 

Ola Aina: Had a significant workload to contend with as Wolves targeted his flank. Proved tough going at times. Regardless of VAR’s decision, will feel he should have had a first-half penalty. Rating: 8/10

 

Nikola Milenkovic: Some robust defending at times as the hosts applied the pressure. Having such a physical presence in the centre of the back makes a big difference for the Reds. Rating: 8.5/10

 

Murillo: Made a huge block early on to preserve his team’s lead after Gibbs-White’s opener. Forest did have a few nervy moments but the Brazilian helped secure another shut-out. Rating: 8.5/10

 

 

Neco Williams: Steady and solid. The Reds were under the cosh for spells, particularly in the first half, but the Welshman helped secure another clean-sheet and three points. Rating: 8/10

 

Elliot Anderson: Delightful touch to set Gibbs-White on his way for the opener. Prevented from getting on the scoresheet himself in the second half by a vital deflection. New England boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance and will have watched with interest. Rating: 8/10

 

Nicolas Dominguez: Can sometimes go under the radar with the work he does. In the first half especially, midfield duo didn’t quite get to grips with Wolves but the Argentine still did his bit. Rating: 7.5/10

 

Anthony Elanga: Continued his run of having a key impact by setting up Gibbs-White, adding to his assist against Everton and his three-match scoring streak prior to that. Has rediscovered his form at a good time. Rating: 8/10

 

Morgan Gibbs-White: On the end of a torrent of abuse from the home crowd but delivered the best possible response by scoring against his former club. Trademark fingers in ears celebration will no doubt have felt extra sweet. Rating: 8/10

 

 

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring Nottingham Forest’s opening goal at Molineux.

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Caused Wolves plenty of problems with some excellent bursts of speed down the left. Forest’s second goal summed up what he is capable of, and it paid off. Rating: 8.5/10

 

Chris Wood: Good movement and a neat finish to double the visitors’ advantage with his 12th of the campaign. Hadn’t had a great deal of service prior to that but he doesn’t miss those chances. Rating: 7.5/10

 

 

 

Morato (for Dominguez, 60mins): A little unfortunate to have been left out of the XI after a superb display at Everton. So well drilled in what is required whenever he comes on. Rating: 8/10

 

 

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Nottingham Forest matchday LIVE – team news, Reds target big away win

Chris Wood celebrates after scoring Nottingham Forest’s second goal of the game against Wolves at Molineux.

Chris Wood celebrates after scoring Nottingham Forest’s second goal of the game against Wolves at Molineux.

Goals from Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi clinched a sixth successive Premier League win for Nottingham Forest as they toppled Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.

 

Not since 1966/67 had Forest won six games on the trot in the top tier, but that was what they were aiming for in the West Midlands. And they got off to the perfect start when Gibbs-White found the net against his former club with just seven minutes on the clock after being teed up by Anthony Elanga.

 

Wolves tried to summon a quick response, though, and it took an important block from Murillo and a big save from Matz Sels to keep them at bay. Sels had to come to the rescue again on the half hour as he thwarted a header from Jorgen Strand Larsen.

 

 

The Reds argued they should have got a chance to make it 2-0 from the spot with 34 minutes played when Ola Aina’s cross struck Rayan Ait-Nouri. However, a VAR check ruled against handball as his arm was deemed to have been in a “natural position”.

 

Nevertheless, they did double their lead right on the stroke of half-time. Callum Hudson-Odoi pulled the ball back for Wood, who slotted home his 12th goal of the campaign.

 

Sels made another crucial save to deny Strand Larsen after the break, then Awoniyi came off the bench to add gloss to the scoreline in added time. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Molineux.

 

 

Matz Sels: Forest had a lot to thank the Belgian for after they had taken the lead. Pulled off two excellent saves to retain his team’s advantage, then came to the rescue again with another big stop after the break. Rating: 9/10

 

 

Ola Aina: Had a significant workload to contend with as Wolves targeted his flank. Proved tough going at times. Regardless of VAR’s decision, will feel he should have had a first-half penalty. Rating: 8/10

 

Nikola Milenkovic: Some robust defending at times as the hosts applied the pressure. Having such a physical presence in the centre of the back makes a big difference for the Reds. Rating: 8.5/10

 

Murillo: Made a huge block early on to preserve his team’s lead after Gibbs-White’s opener. Forest did have a few nervy moments but the Brazilian helped secure another shut-out. Rating: 8.5/10

 

 

Neco Williams: Steady and solid. The Reds were under the cosh for spells, particularly in the first half, but the Welshman helped secure another clean-sheet and three points. Rating: 8/10

 

Elliot Anderson: Delightful touch to set Gibbs-White on his way for the opener. Prevented from getting on the scoresheet himself in the second half by a vital deflection. New England boss Thomas Tuchel was in attendance and will have watched with interest. Rating: 8/10

 

Nicolas Dominguez: Can sometimes go under the radar with the work he does. In the first half especially, midfield duo didn’t quite get to grips with Wolves but the Argentine still did his bit. Rating: 7.5/10

 

Anthony Elanga: Continued his run of having a key impact by setting up Gibbs-White, adding to his assist against Everton and his three-match scoring streak prior to that. Has rediscovered his form at a good time. Rating: 8/10

 

Morgan Gibbs-White: On the end of a torrent of abuse from the home crowd but delivered the best possible response by scoring against his former club. Trademark fingers in ears celebration will no doubt have felt extra sweet. Rating: 8/10

 

 

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring Nottingham Forest’s opening goal at Molineux.

Callum Hudson-Odoi: Caused Wolves plenty of problems with some excellent bursts of speed down the left. Forest’s second goal summed up what he is capable of, and it paid off. Rating: 8.5/10

 

Chris Wood: Good movement and a neat finish to double the visitors’ advantage with his 12th of the campaign. Hadn’t had a great deal of service prior to that but he doesn’t miss those chances. Rating: 7.5/10

 

 

 

Morato (for Dominguez, 60mins): A little unfortunate to have been left out of the XI after a superb display at Everton. So well drilled in what is required whenever he comes on. Rating: 8/10

 

 

 

 

The Georgia Bulldogs are heading into the offseason after suffering a quarterfinal loss in the College Football Playoff.

 

Georgia finished its 2024 college football season with an 11-3 record. While they secured the SEC championship and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, they were defeated by Notre Dame on their road to the national title.

 

Days after the loss to the Fighting Irish, Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs added salt to the wound.

 

On Monday, Georgia EDGE Damon Wilson entered the transfer portal, per Hayes Fawcett.

 

The elite defensive standout will have two years of eligibility remaining.

 

After a quiet 2023 season, where Wilson recoded half a sack and two tackles, he made a significant leap as a contributor for the Bulldogs in 2024. During the 2024 college football season, Wilson produced two forced fumbles, three sacks and 22 tackles.

 

Wilson served as the backup at the JACK linebacker position, behind Chaz Chambliss.

 

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Wilson originally committed to the Bulldogs as a five-star prospect, ranked as the No. 3 EDGE and the No. 17 overall player in the nation, per 247Sports.

 

The Florida native was heavily recruited by powerhouse programs out of high school, including Ohio State, Miami, Auburn and Texas.

 

Wilson was a late commit to the Bulldogs’ 2023 recruiting class, with his decision coming down to Ohio State and Georgia.

 

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day.

‘

‘Our sport is better because of him’ — Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone honors the late Ralph Mann

American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone mourns mentor Ralph Mann, honoring his transformative influence on her journey to Olympic greatness.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is mourning the loss of her former mentor and biomechanics pioneer, Dr. Ralph Mann, who passed away on January 2 at the age of 75 after battling pancreatic cancer.

 

Mann, a silver medalist at the 1972 Olympics and a trailblazer in track and field science, played a pivotal role in transforming McLaughlin-Levrone into one of the greatest hurdlers of all time.

 

McLaughlin-Levrone took to Instagram to honor Mann’s memory, sharing heartfelt tributes and an unseen photograph of them deep in discussion during training.

 

‘She’s rolling with the GOAT’ – Usain Bolt gushes over his partner as he affirms his commitment to her

‘She’s rolling with the GOAT’ – Usain Bolt gushes over his partner as he affirms his commitment to her

The image captured Mann’s characteristic dedication to detail, with an open laptop and camera stands visible on the field—tools that helped bring a scientific edge to her preparation.

 

“So many people were impacted by Ralph both on and off the track. He will truly be missed,” McLaughlin-Levrone wrote in the comments section of a tribute post by Citius Mag.

 

Ralph Mann’s influence on McLaughlin-Levrone’s career cannot be overstated. When the pair first met in 2018, Mann categorized her as a “running jumper”—an athlete who relied solely on speed and athleticism but lacked technical precision in hurdling.

 

“Sydney had problems,” Mann once admitted.

 

“She couldn’t hurdle with her opposite leg. With her primary leg, she was mediocre at best.”

 

But by combining Mann’s meticulous scientific approach with the coaching prowess of Bob Kersee, McLaughlin-Levrone underwent a transformation.

 

In 2021, she finally overtook rival Dalilah Muhammad at the U.S. Olympic Trials, breaking the world record, and then claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo, smashing the world record again in one of the most dramatic finishes in hurdling history.

 

Reflecting on McLaughlin-Levrone’s Tokyo triumph, Mann said, “Sydney ran the last three hurdles much better than she’s ever run them before.”

 

Mann’s contributions extended far beyond McLaughlin-Levrone’s success. After completing his Ph.D. in biomechanics in 1975, he dedicated decades to studying elite athletes, creating a groundbreaking software in 1999 that analyzed sprinting and hurdling techniques through video overlays.

 

‘Didn’t accomplish much this year but…’ Gabby Thomas hilariously reveals what else was bigger than her three Olympics gold in 2024

‘Didn’t accomplish much this year but…’ Gabby Thomas hilariously reveals what else was bigger than her three Olympics gold in 2024

This innovation was instrumental in refining McLaughlin-Levrone’s technique, among countless others.

 

As Dr. Iain Hunter, a biomechanist at BYU who worked alongside Mann, stated, “His groundbreaking work provided invaluable knowledge to sprint and hurdle coaches. His contributions will continue to influence the sport for generations to come.”

 

Mann’s legacy also drew tributes from other track and field legends. Michael Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, credited Mann with helping him and his coach turn his unconventional sprinting style into an advantage.

 

“Ralph Mann had a positive influence on the careers of many athletes and coaches,” Johnson wrote on X. “His work was a game-changer.”

 

For McLaughlin-Levrone, Mann was more than just a scientist—he was a cornerstone of her journey to greatness.

 

Fred Kerley: 5 key reasons the Olympian’s jail stay was extended after Miami arrest

Fred Kerley: 5 key reasons the Olympian’s jail stay was extended after Miami arrest

His dedication and belief in her potential transformed her from an uncertain young athlete into a global superstar.