YORK Acorn Running Club sneaked into the National Road Relays after a rollercoaster ride in qualifying in Manchester.
The team finished 26th and only the first 25 teams qualified, but they were invited to the nationals as two of the teams ahead of them were ‘B’ teams.
Piran White got York Acorn off to a good start on the first leg at Wythenshaw Park with 33rd place, while Steve Simpson slipped back to 34th.
A navigation slip cost Mark Dowson several places and, although Mike Raynes managed to pull back three places, Mark Metcalfe dropped a place on leg five.
Chris Judge and Andy Hilton moved Acorn up the standings, Martin Kirby held their position and Tom Bean then put in Acorn’s quickest leg to move up to 29th.
Ryan Buck put them within sight of the top 25, while captain Andy Normandale and James Palmer ensured they came 26th.
The National Relay will be held at Sutton Coldfield on April 17.
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