​Over 2000 athletes converged on Sefton Park, Liverpool on Saturday for the UK Cross Challenge, which also incorporated the trials for the UK Team for the European Championships in the older age groups.
Pride of place goes to Louie McCormack who maintained his unbeaten record this season in winning the U11 Boys race by 9 seconds.
The next best performance from the Trafford contingent came from Louie's neighbour Joe Bentall who ran an excellent 27th place in the U13 Boys event. He was supported by brother Tom in 61st place and Alex Bailey 70th.
Xav O'Hare, on the way back from illness, finished in a promising 39th place in the U15s with Jack Wilkinson 59th.
Seamus Bradbury (87th) and Mac O'Malley (90th) had solid performances in the U17 Mens race.
Matt Sutton, in his first year of three in the age group, managed 111th in the U20 Mens European Trial.
Next week, the Manchester Area Cross Country League moves to the hills and mud of Boggart Hole Clough

Match 2 of this years Sportshall League took place at Sportscity on Sunday 15th November.
After the first round clashing with half term, all teams had better numbers out for this round.
Once again there were some outstanding performances by Trafford athletes, as ever, way too many to list them all, but the highlights are below.
My thanks to Lucy and Diana in particular for helping with the team management on the day; and to Jacque and Gavin for helping officiate.

Results and Highlights
u11b - With Lee unavailable, Thremayne was a one man team.

u11g - Finished 2nd overall. by 1 point! This u11 girls team is shaping up nicely. With Neve and Imogen available this time to complement the other girls. Ja'naya 2nd in Javelin; Halle 4th in Vertical Jump (VJ), 2nd in Standing Long Jump (SLJ) and 1st in 3 Lap and Trezeguet 2nd in VJ, 1st in SLJ and 1st in 1 Lap. Neve, Ja'naya, Halle and Trezeguet teamed up to win the 4x2 Lap Relay. Keep it up girls!

u13b - Slipped from 1st in match 1 to 2nd this time with Louis G, Sefa and Ayoola all missing, the three lads who did compete did really well to get this result. Tom 3rd in 6 Lap and 3rd in Shot; Louis 1st in SLJ and Jamall ruling the roust with wins in 2 Lap, 4 Lap and Speed bounce (SB). Hopefully we get the other lads for the final match and end the series in style!

u13g - Finished 4th in what's proving to be a very close league. Grace made an outstanding Sportshall debut topped with a 3rd place in 4 Lap. Issi also got a 3rd place in SLJ.

u15b - The quiet men, George and Cian, missing Armando and Mo, they nearly pulled off an unlikely victory. As it was the pair of them were outstanding. Cain 2nd in Shot, 1st in 4 Lap and 1st in VJ (77cm!!); George 1st in 6 Lap, SB and Standing Triple Jump. They combined to win the Parlouf.

u15g - Another win for the girls. Marilena 2nd in VJ; Kelechi 3rd in 4 Lap; Steph, in her first Sportshall due to injury since the 2013 National Final, 4th in VJ and 1st in Shot; Francesca 2nd in Shot and 1st in SB. Tasmin, following an emotional week, ran her heart out, 3rd in 6 Lap, 2nd in SLJ and 1st in 2 Lap. We all wish Mike a swift recovery following his sudden illness.

Next round is 13th December, lest see what happens if we get a full turn out?

Results
Boys
Girls