Athletics: Sheffield's Hallamshire braced for medal challenge in Nottingham

Hallamshire, second in the women's team race last year, will challenge again at the National Cross Country Championships today at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

They are led by Hatti Archer, a former winner of this title. Lizzie Browne, Zanthe Wray, Nicola Squires and Hannah Whitelam form a powerful squad.

Rotherham, too, should do well following their bronze medals in the recent Northern Championships when their counting quartet were Sophie Cowper, Zara Knappy, Emma Parkinson and Natasha Hatswell. Rotherham have tremendous depth and competition will be fierce.

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In the men’s race Yorkshire champions Hallamshire should give a solid performance and are capable of a top six placing. Steve Bayton, Dave Archer, Bertie Houghton and Rob Little are expected to spearhead their challenge. In the junior men’s race Jonathan Shields (City of Sheffield and Dearne) should do well .

In the under 17 women’s race Mya Taylor (Rotherham) has had an outstanding season so far and won a close race to take the Northern title. She looks capable of challenging for a medal at National level.

Hallamshire, led by Jodie Hill, should do well in the under 15 girls race and are even stronger in the under 13 girls section where Ruby Simpson, Ella Shipley, Georgia Robertson and Zena Hartley were outstanding in winning the Northern title.