Athletics: Andy Heyes leads Hallamshire charge at cross country championships

In the men’s race Andy Heyes leads Hallamshire’s challenge and is one of the leading contenders to take the individual title.

In good form following his recent win at the Yorkshire Championship, Heyes will be hard to beat.

Hallamshire won the Yorkshire title and should again make an impact.

Cameron Bell, Connor Milnes, John Birch and Matthew Craig, counters along with Heyes in the Yorkshire-winning team, are all listed in the Hallamshire entry along with Dave Archer who missed the Yorkshire race.

They could be medal contenders whilst Rotherham, led by Lee Milburn, should also do well.

Rotherham won the women’s race in 2015 and have never been outside the top three ever since.

They might find it hard to maintain that record.

Although they have Nicola Devine and Jenny Blizard from last year’s team, they are missing Lori Handbury and Natasha Hatswell.

Hallamshire, silver medallists in this year’s Yorkshire Championships,could challenge for medals but it is unlikely that Leeds City will be seriously challenged.

At Junior (under 20) level, Alfie Manthorpe (City and Deane) should be well placed whilst Yorkshire champion Cyane Robinson and her Rotherham team mate Keiva Rennocks should be prominent.

At under 17 level Elliott Morton (Rotherham) and Joe McDadd (Hallamshire) are expected to be well placed.

In the women’s race Hallamshire, with Jodie Hill, Hannah Metherall and Mo Martin, should challenge for team medals.

Esther Rowe-Towle (City of Sheffield and Dearne), runner up last year, competes again in the same age group.

Rotherham look strong in the under 15 and under 13 girls races.

Action gets underway at 11am.

The Sheffield Indoor Festival of Athletics is on Sunday with a strong entry for a wide range of events starting at 10.30am.