KENDAL AC fielded teams in junior and senior categories at the national cross country relays at Mansfield and all taking part performed admirably.

Fraser Sproul led the U15 team out with a blistering 6-16 for two kilometres and handed over to Daniel Sanderson in fourth place. Daniel kept up the momentum by posting the fourth fastest time on leg two and not to be outdone Ollie Sanders crossed the line fourth fastest on his leg to stop the clock at 19-36. He had been lying in third until the last few metres. The team finished a creditable fourth overall behind Aldershot Farnham & District AC in 19-18.

John Egner led out the "B" team with Harry Bowen, and James Bowen finishing in 33rd place in 21-00 with Kendal's only "C" team of Henry Hunter, Ben Smith, and Ben Greenep finishing in 21-49 for 66th place out of 113 teams.

The U13 A team of Jack Barker, Rio Egner and George Dodgson fought hard and fast to finish on 23-30 in 45th place behind winners Cambridge and Coleridge 20-42. The determined B team of Sam Greenep, James Sloss and Jack Hewison were 80th out of a field of 106.

Jacob Smith led out the U17s handing over to James Barlow - a 200 metre sprinter - with Josh Roelants bringing the team home in a time of 32-44 in 69th place ahead of 27 other teams in their match.

High hopes for the junior men’s U20 team came crashing down when Alex Birkett picked up an injury and hopes of getting a late entry for the enthusiastic Michael Dugdale were dashed. But still up for a challenge Luke Bowen ran the first leg over three kilometres in 9-20 mins and Reuben Copley 9-48 to give the team a 40th place finish.

Consistent training saw Kendal's two ladies' teams battle strongly with Jacqueline Nowell, handing over to Helen Barker, then Carolyn Kevan to bring the A team home in 74th position in a time of 41-02. The B team of Hazel Clark, Paula Bowen and Joanne Pennington finished 96th in 43-48.

Alasdair Russell stormed the two-lap, five kilometre course in 16-11 to hand over the baton in 43rd place to Jonny Dry in the senior men's event. Jonny was even faster, posting 16-03 and handing over to Harry Foster (16-34) in 29th. Harry kept up the pressure, clawing back one place as he finished in 16-34. He handed over to Tom Hartley (17.45) on the anchor leg who led the team home to a 35th place finish out of 179, stopping the clock at 1-06-35.

Mathew Doey (17-46) ran the fastest time in the B team followed by Conner Mc Gurk and men’s captain Stuart McGurk.