Road Running & Cross Country Team Events, March to April 2004
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AAA 12-Stage Road Relay, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, 24 April 2004
We'll be back!
This race had everything – everything, that is, except the gold medals going to Belgrave!
The pre-race hype included the strongest ever tip for winners from Athletics Weekly:
“So who will take the silver medals in the men’s 12-stage this weekend? You won’t catch defending champions Belgrave Harriers admitting it, but the question is surely not if they will win, but by how much? …”
That certainly set alarm bells jangling in the Belgrave camp; and there definitely would not be any such admission, especially as the publication of this statement coincided with the slow disintegration of our original line-up. And as the gaps in the team appeared, to be filled with men returning from injury or periods of unfitness, there was the question, “Should we pull in marathon man Will Cockerell, still with London’s 26.2 miles only six days old in his legs, or should we go for fresher but untested limbs? It was long stage men that we were short of. In hindsight it may have been better to have let Will off the leash – but we’ll never know – and most likely we’d still have placed second and spent the following days telling ourselves, “If only we’d gone for a fresher man”. In the end we had no fewer than seven changes from the 2003 line-up.
We said the race had everything – and it included glorious weather, the out and out favourites facing a terrible start, the announcer declaring the medals won with the race not half over, another semi-miraculous recovery by the Bels; an injury scare that could have had us out of the race; and underlying it all, the constantly recurring thought that poor Sam Haughian of Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow, a friend and training partner to so many of the racers, had tragically lost his life in South Africa not 24 hours earlier.
In the face of all this, “only” winning silver is a long way from being a disaster. As one of our supporters from the other side of the globe chipped in by email, “Although I dearly wanted us to win, I think that this result will rejuvenate the competitive atmosphere in future contests. Furthermore, it does one good sometimes to be reminded that no one is invincible. We have had an excellent run and I am sure it will resume next season.”
To paraphrase Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator – We’ll be back!”
61 teams started and
52 teams finished.
Above: the start of the 2004 AAA 12-Stage Road Relay
Stage 1
Adam Leane has a wealth of experience over a wide range of distances from 3k to marathon and over all terrains. His early showing in the SEAA 6-stage gave a glimpse of what he would do when he got fitter and this was swiftly followed by a 30:19 10k in Ireland. Intervening months saw him lose fitness, crash on his bike and break his wrist, but then a run out over 10k, the previous weekend, clocking 31:30 in poor conditions, was enough to get him into a troubled team. Whilst not in top form, Adam was expected to give us a reasonable start but by the top of the hill he was in trouble. In his own words “he fell apart” and found himself vomiting – maybe it was something he ate. Anyway, it was 30th for the Bels with some of the favourites already in the top six. Adam will be itching to get back into the line-up to show what he really can do.
1 Hallamshire 26:00; 2 Tipton 26:34; 3 Bedford &C 26:37; 4 Morpeth 26:39; 5 Salford 26:43; 6 Wells City 26:50; 30 Belgrave 28:17.
Fastest: 1 J.Ward (Hallamshire) 26:00; 2 M.Shaw (Tipton) 26:34; 3 M.Janes (Bedford &C) 26:37; 4 Hollingsworth (Morpeth) 26:39; 5 A.Morgan-Lee (Salford) 26:43; 6 A.Hennessy (Wells City) 26:50; 30 A.Leane (Belgrave) 28:17.
Stage 2
A difficult couple of years had seen Charles Herrington hovering just outside the team and trying hard to get back in. His chance came after a solid long stage at Milton Keynes and initially he was chosen to cover a long leg at Sutton Park, but with Tim Watson gaining in strength, Charlie was switched to his more favoured short stage and he did all that was asked of him, gaining five places as the climb back began.
Morpeth’s Team Manager Jim Alder was ecstatic about his man McCormick’s fine run, taking his team into a one minute lead with one of the day’s fastest stages. “Don’t you worry though man,” he said to our own TM, “We’re front loaded.” More worrying was the sight of Aldershot moving into fourth spot. With Tipton, Morpeth, Bedford and others weakened by the marathon, we had rated AFD as the team to beat all along.
1 Morpeth (+3) 40:32; 2 Bedford &C (+1) 41:33; 3 Blackheath &B (+14) 41:40; 4 Aldershot F&D (+7) 41:45; 5 Kent (+16) 41:53; 6 Sale (+9) 42:01; 25 Belgrave (+5) 43:25.
Fastest: 1 N.McCormick (Morpeth) 13:53; 2 J.Mays (Kent) 14:09; 3 M.Skinner (Blackheath &B) 14:12; 4 C.Davenport (Bristol) 14:26; 5 E.Jackson (Aldershot F&D) 14:30; 6 M.Buckingham (Holmfirth) 14:36; 20 C.Herrington (Belgrave) 15:08.
Stage 3
Now it was up to Tim Watson to keep things moving along as the first quarter of the race drew to a conclusion. Poor old Tim. He had felt confident enough to tackle a long stage after coming back from the shin splints that had hit him after his 24:21 5 miler at Portsmouth in mid-winter. But it was hot, the course is tough and things just didn’t go right. We moved up another four places but the gap to the front had reached nearly four minutes. Tipton had gone ahead but did not expect to stay there as the more fancied Salford and AFD vests maintained station close behind. A despondent Tim ran considerably slower than we expected and now faced the additional task of picking himself up in time for the track season.
1 Tipton (+9) 1:08:22; 2 Morpeth (-1) 1:08:40; 3 Salford (+4) 1:08:49; 4 Aldershot F&D (0) 1:08:58; 5 Bedford &C (-3) 1:09:00; 6 Coventry Godiva (+9) 1:09:01; 21 Belgrave (+4) 1:12:08.
Fastest: 1 K.Cullen (Highgate) 25:47; 2 I.Mitchell (Tipton) 26:03; 3 M.Lole (Coventry Godiva) 26:11; 4 C.Winward (Salford) 26:47; 5 J.McFarlane (Thames H&H) 26:54; 6 A.Hains (Cardiff) 27:12; 24 T.Watson (Belgrave) 28:43.
Stage 4
It was as late as dinner time in The Bull’s Head the previous evening that the running order was finally established; also agreed at that time was the fact that we needed to stay cool while facing the early onslaught, knowing that we would come on strong as the race progressed. Now was the time to start pushing through. Richard Ward likes having runners to chase and this time he had two score of them ahead of him; but the gaps were large and although Rich reduced his personal record for the short lap by 17 seconds, he could only make up three actual places. We were now just under three minutes behind AFD.
For Telford Chris Davies set an astounding mark of 13:23 to break Rob Denmark’s course record.
1 Tipton (0) 1:22:43; 2 Morpeth (0) 1:23:16; 3 Bedford &C (+2) 1:23:32; 4 Aldershot F&D (0) 1:23:48; 5 Kent (+3) 1:24:05; 6 Cardiff (+1) 1:24:13; 18 Belgrave (+3) 1:26:34.
Fastest: 1 C.Davies (Telford) 13:23; 2 R.Jeffries (Derby &C) 13:51; 3 N.Pollock (Kent) 14:13; 4 J.Moorhouse (Birchfield) 14:16; 5 P.Nicholls (Tipton) 14:21; 6 D.Webb (Leeds) 14:22; 7 R.Ward (Belgrave) 14:26.
Stage 5
Paul Freary has enjoyed one of his finest ever winter seasons and a low 26-minute run was on the cards here. Not far ahead of him Blackheath’s Dave Taylor was going well but Paul was not giving an inch – and now, heading up to the far end of the course he was wading through the pack with man after man slipping into his wake. But the jinx was about to strike again. As Paul turned for home and went up onto his toes again, a calf muscle twanged. It was not now a matter of pulling back more men – it was a matter of gritting his teeth, running flatfooted to avoid further damage and get home as best he could. The chance of pulling back perhaps another 30 seconds was lost here.
1 Tipton (0) 1:50:22; 2 Morpeth (0) 1:50:50; 3 Bedford &C (0) 1:51:11; 4 Aldershot F&D (0) 1:51:14; 5 Salford (+2) 1:51:37; 6 Blackheath &B (+7) 1:52:33; 9 Belgrave (+9) 1:53:28.
Fastest: 1 D.Taylor (Blackheath &B) 26:22; 2 I.Boneham (Notts) 26:38; 3 M.Vaux-Harvey (Kidderminster &S) 26:48; 4 P.Freary (Belgrave) 26:54; 5 T.Abyu (Salford) 26:58; 6 P.Jackson (Birchfield) 27:22.
Stage 6
Aldershot turned out recent signing Chris Bolt to take them to the halfway point and for the first time they moved to the head of the field as the challenge from Tipton and Morpeth faded. Our own ever-reliable Stephen Sharp gave us the day’s first fastest stage by a Belgravian as he took the claret and gold up three more places. But while Steve was fastest, Bolt and Salford’s Cryer were second and third fastest so the gap to AFD was still just over two minutes.
1 Aldershot F&D (+3) 2:05:36; 2 Salford (+3) 2:06:08; 3 Tipton (-2) 2:06:09; 4 Morpeth (-2) 2:06:20; 5 Bedford &C (-2) 2:06:45; 6 Belgrave (+3) 2:07:42.
Fastest: 1 S.Sharp (Belgrave) 14:14; 2 C.Bolt (Aldershot F&D) 14:22; 3 M.Cryer (Salford) 14:31; 4 R.Kay (Notts) 15:01; 5 C.Rimmer (Telford) 15:13; 6 R.Weir (Derby &C) 15:19.
Stage 7
Twice previously Mark Miles has blitzed the long stage for us, setting our second and fifth best runs of all time – 25:45 and 25:51. Only a vintage Paul Evans has ever gone better. Mark had been unable to run the SEAA race due to a badly twisted and swollen ankle and obviously there had been fears as to whether he’d be able to recover for this race. No worries though as this quiet, powerful runner, who seems tailor made for road racing, ripped into the opposition to give us a 25:48 to set up his all-time average as – 25:48. Mark was a minute and a quarter faster than any other man on the stage; we were over a minute into the medals now with Salford no more than 10 seconds ahead and Aldershot a further 38 seconds up the road. Five stages remained and this race wasn’t over yet.
1 Aldershot F&D (0) 2:32:42; 2 Salford (0) 2:33:20; 3 Belgrave (+3) 2:33:30; 4 Morpeth (0) 2:34:43; 5 Tipton (-2) 2:35:13; 6 Bedford &C (-1) 2:35:27.
Fastest: 1 M.Miles (Belgrave) 25:48; 2 S.Deakin (Leeds City) 27:01; =3 A.Jones (Cardiff) & 4 E.Robinson (Aldershot F&D) 27:06; 5 A.Norman (Altrincham) 27:08; 6 P.Green (Sale) 27:09.
Stage 8
Simon Marwood had leapt at the chance of a run in the “12”. A GB international modern pentathlete, Simon had decided that he could not find enough time to train for five disciplines but as his running was good, maybe athletics could offer him the chance of alternate sporting glory. Impressive in his first season of steeplechasing last summer, Simon has proved useful on the roads as well. Running third fastest of the stage he sailed past Salford but the AFD man was going even faster and the gap to the lead went up to over a minute again.
1 Aldershot F&D (0) 2:47:16; 2 Belgrave (+1) 2:48:32; 3 Salford (-1) 2:49:17; 4 Morpeth (0) 2:50:05; 5 Bedford &C (+1) 2:50:53; 6 Cardiff (+1) 2:51:05.
Fastest: 1 S.Ablitt (Aldershot F&D) 14:34; 2 L.Gunn (Derby &C) 14:57; 3 S.Marwood (Belgrave) 15:02; 4 M.Sawrey (Trafford) 15:08; 5 T.Bedford (Shaftesbury B) 15:14; 6 S.Lewis (Cardiff) 15:21.
Stage 9
If we were going to pull this off, stage 9 was going to be crucial. It was a big ask, but we needed Kevin Nash to run the long stage of his life. Unfortunately Nasher had not really been geared up for a long’un at all, his training slanted more towards the shorter track races just around the corner. In spite of this, it was his own choice to offer himself for the five-mile stage, knowing that we were struggling to find men to fill long slots; he’s a team man and no mistake. But once again the gods turned their backs on us and smiled on our rivals. Salford’s Andy Jones took half a minute out of AFD and brought his team’s red vest back past the Bels to boot. Kevin gave everything and could not have run any harder. If only he could have run the short stage he originally wanted we’ve no doubt he’d have ended the day on a high with a sub 14:30 run. As it was, he was another frustrated Belgravian.
1 Aldershot F&D (0) 3:14:09; 2 Salford (+1) 3:15:37; 3 Belgrave (-1) 3:15:44; 4 Bedford &C (+1) 3:17:42; 5 Morpeth (-1) 3:18:13; 6 Cardiff (0) 3:18:20.
Fastest: A.Jones (Salford) 26:20; 2 D.Deed (Bedford &C) 26:49; 3 N.Anderson (Aldershot F&D) 26:53; 4 K.Nash (Belgrave) 27:12; 5 J.Phillips (Cardiff) 27:15; 6 K.Kyereme (Shaftesbury B) 27:50.
Stage 10
“I’ll not get in a Belgrave National relay team again.” So said our Captain and team silver medallist from 2001 when he found himself reserve during the golden years of 2002 and 2003. Well, Roger Alsop was wrong on that score but by now there was an awful feeling that it was going to be silver again. This time it really was his last race as Captain, his span in that post reaching back to the days when we were delighted to come away from the winter season with silver medals from the South of Thames “Junior”. If only he could pull out a 14:40 à la 1993 there might still be hope. But no such luck as ex-Belgravian Kevin Quinn stretched the lead out by another eight seconds.
1 Aldershot F&D (0) 3:29:13; 2 Salford (0) 3:30:44; 3 Belgrave (0) 3:30:59; 4 Bedford &C (0) 3:33:52; 5 Morpeth (0) 3:34:05; 6 Cardiff (0) 3:34:58.
Fastest: 1 K.Quinn (Aldershot F&D) 15:07; 2 D.Mason (Salford) 15:12; 3 R.Alsop (Belgrave) 15:15; 4 A.Pitcher (Derby &C) 15:23; 5 M.Hatch (Sale) 15:42; 6 T.Egerton (Trafford) 15:45.
Stage 11
There can never have been a more emotionally charged relay stage than this one. Chris Thompson of Aldershot is one of the brightest young runners in the country. Spencer Barden for Belgrave is no slouch – but if the leg went to form, Spen could surely do no more than hold the gap, which was now a minute and three quarters. But it went far deeper than that. Only the day before “Thommo” had left his training partner Sam Haughian in South Africa. For four weeks they had trained together, peers in their chosen pursuit of middle-distance running. But while the Aldershot man had returned home to the UK and Sutton Park, Sam had tragically been killed in a car crash. This run was obviously going to be for Sam and while Spen pulled back past Salford to run the second best time of the stage, an ashen-faced and dark-eyed “Thommo” was recording the day’s fastest.
1 Aldershot F&D (0) 3:54:40; 2 Belgrave (+1) 3:57:14; 3 Salford (-1) 3:58:04; 4 Bedford &C (0) 4:02:58; 5 Cardiff (+1) 4:04:07; 6 Morpeth (-1) 4:04:40.
Fastest: 1 C.Thompson (Aldershot F&D) 25:27; 2 S.Barden (Belgrave) 26:15; 3 N.Jones (Salford) 27:20; 4 N.Altmann (Thames H&H) 27:41; 5 A.Thake (Hallamshire) 28:26; 6 G.Hull (Leeds) 28:29.
Stage 12
The previous two relays had seen Jonathan Blackledge handling the last leg with assurance and we had every confidence that had things been closer our man would have done all in his power to pull us back to the front. As it was, we were two and a half minutes adrift with no sight of the quarry. Far from going through the motions, though, Jonathan finished Belgrave’s race in style, giving us another fastest stage and pulling back over a minute. At nineteen, and already a gold medallist from 2003 surely there will be many other road relay medals ahead of him.
1 Aldershot F&D (0) 4:10:15; 2 Belgrave (0) 4:11:47; 3 Salford (0) 4:13:09; 4 Bedford &C (0) 4:18:44; 5 Cardiff (0) 4:21:00; 6 Morpeth (0) 4:21:04
Fastest: 1 J.Blackledge (Belgrave) 14:33; 2 J.Brown (Salford) 15:05; 3 D.Hiscox (Bridgend) 15:17; 4 A.Renfree (Shaftesbury B) 15:19; 5 M.Hilton (Leeds) 15:21; 6 N.Obrahim (Kent) 15:31.
Fastest short stages:
1 C.Davies (Telford) 13:23; 2 N.McCormick (Morpeth) 13:53; 3 J.Mays (Kent) 14:09; 4 M.Skinner (Blackheath) 14:12; 5 N.Pollock (Kent) 14:13; 6 S.Sharp (Belgrave) 14:14; 7 J.Moorhouse (Birchfield) 14:16; 8 P.Nicholls (Tipton) 14:21; =9 C.Bolt (Aldershot F&D) and D.Webb (Leeds) 14:22.
Fastest long stages:
1 C.Thompson (Aldershot F&D) 25:27; 2 K.Cullen (Highgate) 25:47; 3 M.Miles (Belgrave) 25:48; 4 J.Ward (Hallamshire) 26:00; 5 I.Mitchell (Tipton) 26:03; 6 M.Lole (Coventry Godiva) 26:11; 7 S.Barden (Belgrave) 26:15; 8 A.Jones (Salford) 26:20; 9 D.Taylor (Blackheath) 26:22; 10 M.Shaw (Tipton) 26:34.
AAA Women's 6-Stage Road Relay, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, 24 April 2004
Belles disappointed not to finish in AAA Relay
It wasn’t the Belles' day in more ways than one. In the week leading up to the Nationals, four of the proposed team of six had to pull out through injury, illness and personal reasons. Unlike the men, the women still don’t have sufficient depth to call on that many reserves at short notice, particularly given that it was only six days after our team win in the marathon. Even with the team manager doing her bit to ensure that a team would be there on the day, it just wasn’t meant to be. With Angela Walker confirming she definitely couldn’t race just days before, Catherine jumped in to fill the gap, thinking all would be ok. Unbelievably though, on the morning of the race, poor Anne Hegvold called to say that due to illness she wouldn’t be able to make it. This was not just an excuse to get out of racing, as Anne ended up in hospital for five days. Get well soon Angela and Anne!
An attempt to cajole the referee into allowing a non-declared runner to compete, even if it meant the team would be disqualified in the final results, went unheard, and so an incomplete team of five was put forward. Team plans went out of the window, with the focus being on ensuring everyone who took part got the best out of their race, with personal time challenges and battles being faced.
Leg 1
Rosie Powell has shown she is a talented young runner but admits to getting nervous pre-races. Without the pressure of a full team to finish, it was decided that today was the ideal day for Rosie to get some first leg experience. Because there was no option but to just get on with the race, and without the added stress of watching previous legs, Rosie took on the challenge and it worked in her favour. On a scorching hot day, and knowing that she would be up against some of the fastest runners of the day, including Helen Clitheroe (fastest overall leg of the day), Rosie ran her own race. Although disappointed to finish in 29th spot, her time of 18.54 was well within her expectations and set the team up well.
Leg 2
The ever reliable team captain Juliette Clark had been pencilled in for the final leg, but this now seemed a wasted opportunity, and she was promptly moved into leg 2 to enable her to get a fast run. Without the marathon in her legs this year Juliette was flying. She moved the team forward 8 places to 21st and clocked the Belles fastest leg of the day and 7th fastest on leg 2. Up front Coventry had moved up from 2nd to take the lead, whilst Shaftesbury moved up three places into 2nd and Wirral held on to 3rd spot.
Leg 3
Helen Alsop took on leg 3, as per the original plan. Always calm and focused, Helen headed off down the hill determined to pull back another couple of places. Despite battling cramps she dug in and completed the 2.99 miles in 19.12 and moved the team into 19th place in the process. Coventry’s lead looked comfortable up front, with Shaftesbury digging in in 2nd, but Tipton now moving into 3rd spot.
Leg 4
Despite completing the London Marathon just six days before in a PB of 2.54, Louise Cooper jumped at the chance of being in the National team. Louise has had a fabulous winter season and is in top form at present. With tired legs Louise still managed a good 19.21 and brought the team back in 20th place. With her running talent and warm and friendly manner Louise is a huge asset to the team. No change in the top three positions up front, as Coventry started to extend its lead.
Leg 5
Having only decided on Friday that she’d need to race in order to complete the team, and still being way below fitness, Catherine Eastham wasn’t looking forward to this race. However, as team manager, she knew she could never ask her athletes to give their all if she wasn’t ever prepared to, and there probably won’t be any other chances for her to be in the National team ever again! When Saturday came and with it the knowledge that the Belles would be an incomplete team, she still chose to race (if running 21.41 can be classed as racing!) and dropped just one place to bring the team back in 21st place. Up front, Tipton had pulled in front of Shaftesbury, with Coventry still clear in 1st.
Leg 6
With no 6th leg runner, the Belles could only sit back and watch as Coventry came home 30 seconds clear of Tipton. Shaftesbury held on to 3rd, although Liverpool did their best to close the gap.
Had the Belles had a 6th runner, running about 19.00 pace we’d have come home in 18th place. With an 18.00 runner on the team, it would have been 16th. With this 18.00 minute runner on the team, and swapping yours truly for another 19.00 minute runner, we’d still only have been in 16th place.
Disappointing and disheartening, but there is still so much potential for the Belles for the future. Imagine a dream team of Birhan Dagne, Getenesh Tamirat and Catherine Berry, with support from 3 of our regular team contributors and medals will surely beckon?.
1 Coventry Godiva H 1:42:46; 2 Tipton H 1:43:13; 3 Shaftesbury B 1:45:51; dnf Belgrave H.
R.Powell (29) 18:54; J.Clarke (21) 17:44; H.Alsop (19) 19:12; L.Cooper (20) 19:21; C.Eastham (21) 21:41.
Top Statistics Full Results
SEAA 12-Stage Road Relay, Milton Keynes, 04 April 2004
Bedford & County push us hard - but it's a Belgrave hat trick
Strong winds battered teams in the Southern Road Relays at Milton Keynes with the conditions gradually getting worse throughout the day. The team had been hit by a couple of late injuries and a clashing international fixture in Dublin but three men new to the road relay scene came into the "twelve" to face up to a fierce attack from Bedford & County AC. After the event, one had to appreciate the opposition put up by our blue and white vested rivals. It added a whole load of spice to the afternoon's racing - and it was only going into the last stage that we began to feel that the race had gone our way. The new men taking their chances in our team were Simon Marwood, Mike Trees and James Beech.
Short stage 5.506 km, long stage 7.978 km. 58 teams started; 45 teams finished.
Stage 1
On the stroke of midday fifty eight men set off down the slope onto the roads and pathways of Milton Keynes. We had high hopes of a good start from Mike Trees - and he didn't disappoint! In spite of the wind, Newham's Dave Mitchinson led home the field with an outstanding sub-24 run and among the gaggle chasing him hard was 41 year-old Mike, running way above our expectations. After a very indifferent winter, Mike is now training like a demon with his sights set upon the World Masters 10k and the certainty that a time well below 30 minutes is possible.
1 Newham & Essex 23:48; 2 Bedford &C 24:05; 3 Medway & Maidstone 24:09; 4 Belgrave 24:12; 5 Luton 24:54; 6 Swindon 24:57; 38 Belgrave B 26:50; 48 Belgrave C 38:30.
Fastest: 1 D.Mitchinson (Newham & Essex) 23:48; 2 M.Janes (Bedford &C) 24:05; 3 M.Coleman (Medway & Maidstone) 24:09; 4 M.Trees (Belgrave) 24:12; 5 P.Farmer (Luton) 24:54; 6 C.Sykes (Swindon) 24:57; 38 L.Greatorex (Belgrave B) 26:50; 48 J.Charles (Belgrave C) 28:30.
Stage 2
It was Roger Alsop's last run as Captain of the team and he was determined to make a good impression. Not sure of his place among the 12 until he won the Wimbledon 10k seven days earlier, he toured the short circuit in his fastest ever time and it's just a pity that the conditions stopped him from ducking under 17 minutes. Early leaders Newham fell away and we were into the frame.
What a treat to see Richard Partridge back in road relay action again, some 20 years since he was the scourge of the roads in a Birchfield vest.
1 Bedford & County (+1) 41:06; 2 Medway & Maidstone (+1) 41:22; 3 Belgrave (+1) 41:28; 4 Newham & Essex (-3) 42:08; 5 Blackheath & Bromley (+2) 42:35; 6 Aldershot F&D (+2) 42:41; 27 Belgrave B (+11) 45:10; 37 Belgrave C (+11) 47:01.
Fastest: =1 L.Bowron (Ealing & Southall) and L.Cadman (Bedford &C) 17:01; 3 S.Clarke (Medway & Maidstone) 17:13; 4 R.Alsop (Belgrave) 17:16; 5 S.Dixon (London Heathside) 17:22; 6 A.Williams (Shaftesbury B) 17:32; 22 M.Humphrey (Belgrave C) 18:20; 24 R.Partridge (Belgrave C) 18:31.
Stage 3
Charles Herrington had originally found himself shut out of the A team in spite of good time trial over 5k the previous Sunday. But he was dead set on coming down to bolster the 'B's - and two days before the race went into the A squad when Mark Miles reported that he'd badly turned his ankle. No doubt Charlie would have run well over the short circuit, but when we also lost David Anderson, who had found himself in big trouble in the Dublin 10k the day before, Charlie was switched to a long stage on the morning of the race. In spite of his lack of preparation for the longer distance, our bandana'd hero took his opportunity and delighted in holding things together, only losing 3rd place in the last few strides. It was his fastest long stage run in our colours and it looks as if Charlie could at last be back on the gold standard.
A phenomenal course record was set by Keith Cullen, now running for Highgate. How could anyone take three seconds off the long stage record in such conditions. He now owns both long and short stage best times.
1 Bedford &C (0) 1:06:17; 3 Medway & Maidstone(0) 1:06:21; 3 Blackheath & Bromley (+2) 1:06:45; 4 Belgrave (-1) 1:06:47; 5 Highgate (+5) 1:06:50; 6 Aldershot F&D (0) 1:07:15; 29 Belgrave B (-2) 1:12:18; 39 Belgrave C (-2) 1:15:42.
Fastest: 1 K.Cullen (Highgate) 23:24; 2 M.Skinner (Blackheath & Bromley) 24:10; =3 N.Anderson (Aldershot F&D) and J.McFarlane (Thames H&H) 24:34; 5 S.Overall (Windsor SE&H) 24:45; 6 A.Hennessy (Wells City) 24:56; 12 C.Herrington (Belgrave) 25:19; 31 J.Galley (Belgrave B) 27:08; 42 S.Zealey (Belgrave C) 28:41.
Stage 4
Bedford had enjoyed two laps at the head of the field but now was the time we expected to launch our bid for victory. As expected, Stephen Sharp tore after the men ahead of him and in no time at all was forging away from the field. Steve's 16:22 easily matched his 16-dead run in the previous year's event; it turned out to be the second best of the day but some way behind him the Beagles' new man Steve Hepples was going even faster. Nevertheless, our lead over Bedford was now a comfortable 37 seconds and surely it would go up again on the next stage.
1 Belgrave (+3) 1:23:09; 2 Bedford &C (-1) 1:23:46; 3 Aldershot F&D (+3) 1:23:54; 4 Newham & Essex (+5) 1:24:23; 5 Highgate (0) 1:25:05; 6 Medway & Maidstone (-4) 1:25:56; 25 Belgrave B (+4) 1:30:49; 40 Belgrave C (-1) 1:36:46.
Fastest: S.Hepples (Newham & Essex) 16:18; 2 S.Sharp (Belgrave) 16:22; 3 E.Jackson (Aldershot F&D) 16:39; 4 D.Castle (Milton Keynes) 17:18; 5 J.Ellis (Aldersot F&D B) 17:21; 6 S.Omar (Ealing S&M) 17:22; 15 C.Axe (Belgrave B) 18:31; 41 Don Anderson (Belgrave C) 21:04.
Stage 5
Oh dear no! Far from extending the lead, Hassan Raidi found himself under attack from Bedford's Steve Body. It was a good run from our man but these Bedford lads meant business and instead of the expected one minute gap on the field - we were seven seconds in arrears again.
1 Bedford &C (+1) 1:47:45; 2 Belgrave (-1) 1:47:52; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 1:48:43; 4 Newham & Essex (0) 1:50:33; 5 Shaftesbury B (+4) 1:50:39; 6 Highgate (-1) 1:50:42; 24 Belgrave C (+1) 1:58:00.
Fastest: 1 D.Bannister (Shaftesbury B) 23:50; 2 S.Body (Bedford &C) 23:59; 3 D.Taylor (Blackheath & Bromley) 24:15; 4 H.Raidi (Belgrave) 24:43; 5 R.Vint (Aldershot F&D) 24:49; 6 D.King (Colchester) 25:36; 21 W.Lynch (Belgrave B) 27:11.
Stage 6
James Beech was under pressure and no mistake. His training has been geared towards the marathon and although this New Zealander has been in the UK for a couple of years, he has only just got around to joining a club. Seeing that he's coached over the internet by Paul Evans - it was no surprise that Belgrave was his choice! Last man into the team with only 24 hours notice, he grabbed the chance of a run out on the 5.5k loop and had every intention of earning that SEAA gold medal. Slowly he closed on the leader ... went past him ... and held the break ... until the last 400 metres when the Bedford man came back again. Great running! And didn't he grin for the rest of the day!
1 Bedford &C (0) 2:05:28; 2 Belgrave (0) 2:05:31; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 2:06:14; 4 Newham & Essex (0) 2:07:38; 5 Shaftesbury B (0) 2:08:24; 6 Highgate (0) 2:09:18; 24 Belgrave B (0) 2:17:33.
Fastest: 1 K.Bowditch (Newham & Essex) 17:05; 2 A.Fulford (Swindon) 17:08; 3 B.Stopher (Aldershot F&D) 17:31; 4 J.Beech (Belgrave) 17:39; 5 L.Smyth (Bedford &C) 17:43; 6 T.Jackson (Shaftesbury B) 17:45; 26 R.Poulter (Belgrave B) 19:33.
Stage 7
Ok, so it was halfway - and we were still three seconds down. The gap to the rest of the field was such that it was now seen by all as a two horse race. Kevin Nash is probably now stronger than ever and as he set off into the wind he did his utmost to pull back the man ahead - but it just wasn't happening as yet another Bedford strong man, Will Levett, held him at bay. Around the lake into the teeth of the gale the gap remained almost exactly the same. A wayward goose also seemed to be on Bedford's side as Nasher was forced into steeplechasing mode to clear some flapping wings. Also fluttering now were Belgrave hearts. We had some good men to come but our rivals still had good'uns of their own.
1 Bedford &C (0) 2:30:02; 2 Belgrave (0) 2:30:11; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 2:31:31; 4 Newham & Essex (0) 2:33:25; 5 Thames H&H (+2) 2:34:09; 6 Shaftesbury B (-1) 2:35:12; 24 Belgrave B (0) 2:46:08.
Fastest: A.Mussett (Colchester) 24:16; 2 P.Sly (Thames H&H) 24:19; 3 W.Levett (Bedford &C) 24:34; 4 K.Nash (Belgrave) 24:40; 5 S.Ablitt (Aldershot F&D) 25:17; 6 P.Jacobs (Londond Heathside) 25:19; 28 T.St Leger (Belgrave B) 28:35.
Stage 8
Nobody doubted that Richard Ward would get us back ahead - but just being ahead wasn't enough; we felt we needed a cushion of a full minute for the battle looming on stage 11. Richard ran a corker! But it might have been faster still had he not set out as if it was a 1500 metre race. After two minutes of running he was ahead and going away - but the last section of the stage was painful. Rich crossed the line and had officials laughing as he apologised to his team manager: "Sorry Al. Went off too fast. Only 16:38." And this on a day when only five men went under 17!
1 Belgrave (+1) 2:46:49; 2 Bedford &C (-1) 2:47:06; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 2:48:57; 4 Newham & Essex (0) 2:51:45; 5 Thames H&H (0) 2:52:48; 6 Shaftesbury B (0) 2:53:21; 23 Belgrave B (+1) 3:05:31.
Fastest: 1 R.Ward (Belgrave) 16:38; 2 N.Miller (Bedford &C) 17:04; 3 K.Quinn (Aldershot F&D) 17:26; 4 A.Smith (Aldershot F&D B) 18:07; 5 L.McMeekin (Medway & Maidstone) 18:08; =6 A.Magnall (Shaftesbury B) and J.Atkinson (Blackheath & Bromley) 18:09.
Stage 9
So, could the man Freary get us our minute? Paul has been running with an uncomfortable abdominal problem for weeks now but, in spite of this, has run some of the best races of his life. He had to face the very worst of the weather as huge gusts were now whipping the spray off the lake. Back at base the Belgrave marquee was ripped from its fixings to leave cakes and kitbags exposed to the elements as nearby trees became festooned with claret, gold and blue canvas. While supporters struggled to dismantle the tent, now caught up in the branches, out on the circuit the gap rose. Reports came back that the 17 second margin had gone up to half a minute - and coming back round the lake it was 53 seconds - and finally just over a minute. What a runner.
1 Belgrave (0) 3:11:32; 2 Bedford &C (0) 3:12:34; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 3:14:11; 4 Thames H&H (+1) 3:18:12; 5 Newham & Essex (-1) 3:19:56; 6 Shaftesbury B (0) 3:20:56; 24 M.Byansi (-1) 3:34:41.
Fastest: 1 P.Freary (Belgrave) 24:43; 2 B.Moreau (Aldershot F&D) 25:14; 3 A.Weir (Thames H&H) 25:24; 4 S.Herring (Bedford &C) 25:28; 5 P.Curran (Medway & Maidstone) 25:59; 6 M.Norminton (Herne Hill) 26:04; 31 M.Byansi (Belgrave B) 29:10.
Stage 10
Simon Marwood has run some good steeplechases from the front so we knew he could pace things right but he must hold onto that minute. He had run a trial with the Altrincham boys during the previous week and the signs were that given the conditions he should run a "low-seventeener" - and that's just what he did - another newcomer working hard for his medal.
1 Belgrave (0) 3:28:49; 2 Bedford &C (0) 3:30:27; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 3:31:34; 4 Thames H&H (0) 3:36:12; 5 Shaftesbury B (+1) 3:37:58; 6 Newham & Essex (-1) 3:38:29; 23 Belgrave B (+1) 3:54:22.
Fastest: 1 R.Williams (Shaftesbury B) 17:02; 2 S.Marwood (Belgrave) 17:17; 3 S.Dixon (Aldershot F&D) 17:23; 4 J.McMahon (Bedford &C) 17:53; 5 A.Kennis (Thames H&H) 18:00; 6 J.Scragg (Swindon) 18:10; 18 C.Smith (Belgrave B) 19:41.
Stage 11
A minute and 36 then, as Bedford wheeled out Huw Lobb, sometime training partner of our own Will Cockerell. Both of them knew exactly the other's capabilities and there's no doubting that the additional 36 seconds made Will feel a whole lot better. Our man's been in this position before on stage 11, knowing that he must set a pace that he knows he can maintain without risking a "blow-up". Lobb later admitted that he felt he was flying but Will was running it just right. Huw closed in but it was too much to make up - and had it been neck and neck at the end of the stage we still felt we'd have the edge over the final lap.
1 Belgrave (0) 3:54:12; 2 Bedford &C (0) 3:54:44; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 3:56:24; 4 Thames H&H (0) 4:01:15; 5 Shaftesbury B (0) 4:02:55; 6 Newham & Essex (0) 4:04:58; 23 Belgrave B (0) 4:22:36.
Fastest: 1 H.Lobb (Bedford &C) 24:17; 2 E.Robinson (Aldershot F&D) 24:50; 3 J.Trapmore (Shaftesbury B) 24:57; 4 N.Altmann (Thames H&H) 25:03; 5 W.Cockerell (Belgrave) 25:23; 25 C.Dickinson (Belgrave B) 28:14.
Stage 12
What an exciting prospect is young Jonathan Blackledge. Still not twenty years of age, he relishes every chance to show what he can do. He had been delighted to accept the responsibility of last stage and now he too knew that he must run hard but not overdo it. It was the perfect run. Steadily he drew away, ran five seconds faster than his previous effort, set in benign conditions, and stretched the lead out to 82 seconds. Amazingly, in spite of the weather, our team time was the second fastest ever.
The race was ours but all credit to our opponents for their willingness to attack. If ever we needed a reminder that we cannot rest on our laurels - this was it. Yes, we were missing a few - but so were they!
1 Belgrave (0) 4:10:53; 2 Bedford &C (0) 4:12:15; 3 Aldershot F&D (0) 4:13:37; 4 Thames H&H (0) 4:18:57; 5 Shaftesbury B (0) 4:21:41; 6 Newham & Essex (0) 4:24:25; 23 Belgrave B (0) 4:42:45.
Fastest: 1 J.Blackledge 16:41; 2 M.Ashton
(Aldershot F&D) 17:13; 3 A.Tanner (Bedford &C) 17:31; 4 L.Matthews
(Thames H&H) 17:42; 5 D.McCarthy (Aldershot F&D B) 17:59; 6 I.Murray
(City of Norwich) 18:11; 29 N.Rumsey 20:09.
Fastest short stages overall (among
top 50):
1 S Hepples (Newham & Essex) 16:18 (stage 4); 2 S Sharp (Belgrave) 16:22 (4); 3 R Ward (Belgrave) 16:38 (8); 4 E Jackson (Aldershot F&D) 16:39 (4); 5 J Blackledge (Belgrave) 16:41 (12); 6 L Bowron (Ealing S&M) 17:01 (2); 14 R Alsop (Belgrave) 17:16 (2); 15 S Marwood (Belgrave) 17:17 (10); 28 J Beech (Belgrave) 17:39 (6).
Fastest long stages overall (among top 50):
1 K Cullen (Highgate) 23:24 course record (3); 2 D Mitchinson (Newham & Essex) 23:48 (1); 3 D Bannister (Shaftesbury B) 23:50 (5); 4 S Body (Bedford & County) 23:59 (5); 5 M Janes (Bedford & County) 24:05 (1); 6 M Coleman (Medway & Maidstone) 24:09 (1); 8 M Trees (Belgrave) 24:12 (1); 16 K Nash (Belgrave) 24:40 (7); 17 P Freary (Belgrave) 24:43 (9); 18 H Raidi (Belgrave) 24:43 (5); 41 C Herrington (Belgrave) 25:19 (3); 44 W Cockerell (Belgrave) 25:23 (11).
Top Statistics Full Results
SEAA 12-Stage Road Relay, Milton Keynes, 04 April 2004
Belles 7th again in Southern 6-Stage
Given the windy conditions, the tired legs and a few missing athletes, the Belles did well to consolidate their position in the Southerns with a solid 7th place, equalling last year’s place. With less than a minute to separate 3rd place from 7th place, medals are closer for the Belles than this position perhaps reflects.
Distance 5.506 km. 32 teams started; 23 teams finished.
Stage 1
Team captain, XC plate winner and all round Super-Belle, Juliette Clark relished the chance of taking leg 1 and setting the ball rolling. Having decided against the marathon for this year, Juliette switched training just a couple of weeks ago to focus on some shorter runs, which obviously paid off as she achieved our fastest time of the day, with 20.09, coming home in 5th place. Winchester had the first runner home but there was still time for change ahead.
1 Winchester 19:00; 2 South London 19:05; 3 Headington 19:30; 6 Belgrave 20:10.
Fastest: M.McCallum (Winchester) 19:00; 2 E.Baker (South London) 19:05; 3 A.Hirst (Headington) 19:30; 6 J.Clark (Belgrave) 20:10.
Stage 2
Helen Alsop only came onto the A team towards the end of the week. Despite claiming she’d not had the best week of training beforehand Helen showed herself to be a real trooper and dug in to keep the Belles as high up the field as possible. Leg 2 tends to cause some major shakeups in the team order, and Helen was at the mercy of some fast leg 2 runners. Even so, with a 21.47 run, the team hung in at 12th spot.
1 Winchester (0) 38:57; 2 Headington (+1) 19:05; 3 South London (-1) 19:30; 12 Belgrave (-6) 21:47.
Fastest: 1 R.Proctor (City of Norwich) 19:13; 2 L.Tanner (Bedford &C) 19:22; 3 J.Craft (Headington) 19:48; 19 H.Alsop (Belgrave) 21:47.
Stage 3
Coming to the Southern 6 stage for the first time, Helen Smethurst was undaunted by the tales of strong winds on the course. One of our marathoners, suffering from tired legs after 2 weeks heavy training, Helen found the course considerably shorter and faster than hoped. Nonetheless, with our 3rd fastest time of the day, Helen maintained our 12th place position. Shaftesbury Barnet had pulled into the lead, with Bedford & County not far behind.
1 Shaftesbury B (+5) 59:10; 2 Bedford &C (+2) 59:59; 3 South London (0) 1:00:06; 12 Belgrave (0) 1:03:17.
Fastest: J.Wright (Shaftesbury B) 19:10; 2 J.Bleasdale (Hillingdon) 19:15; 3 K.Waterson (Bedford &C) 20:13; 10 H.Smethurst 21:20.
Stage 4
Leg 4 was taken over by team youngster, Rosie Powell. Having made her debut last year, tackling the 6 stage course in a surprisingly fast time, Rosie set herself a hard target and placed extra pressure on herself. With the wind battling against her too, her time was down a bit but nevertheless her efforts had pulled the Belles up a place into 11th. Bedford, with Katrina Wootton, had now taken the lead ahead of Shaftesbury, with Norwich surprisingly in 3rd.
1 Bedford &C (+1) 1:19:06; 2 Shaftesbury B (-1) 1:20:49; 3 City of Norwich (+1) 1:21:05; 11 Belgrave (+1) 1:24:44.
Fastest: K.Wootton (Bedford &C) 19:07; 2 S.Young (Highgate) 19:14; 3 O.Walwyn (City of Norwich) 20:19; 6 R.Powell (Belgrave) 21:27.
Stage 5
Tilly Heaton had a lot in common with Helen S today: both planning to run the marathon, both on tired legs, and both new to the relays. Tilly’s been on fine form this winter with some outstanding distance races under her belt. Having initially been lined up for the glory leg, Tilly opted to run leg 5 instead, because of worries over a tight hamstring. Fortunately this didn’t turn into a serious worry, although the conditions and tired legs made the race hard. Despite this, she pulled the team 3 places further upfield into 8th place. Liz Yelling, in the fastest leg of the day, firmly established Bedford in 1st place, almost 4 minutes ahead of Shaftesbury.
1 Bedford &C (0) 1:36:53; 2 Shaftesbury B (0) 1:41:00; 3 South London (+1) 1:43:29; 8 Belgrave (+3) 1:46:15.
Fastest: L.Yelling (Bedford &C) 17:47; 2 C.Walsh (Shaftesbury B) 20:11; 3 P.Major (South London) 22:05; 8 M.Heaton (Belgrave) 21:31.
Stage 6
Setting off onto leg 6, knowing that at this stage we were almost 3 minutes away from the medal, Louise was advised just to relax and use the run as a final fast run prior to the marathon. There was no pressure, and Louise’s goal was merely to bring the team back in no worse a position than last year (7th). Louise has also had some fabulous races this winter over the longer distances, but surprisingly also showed that she’s a pretty handy runner over the shorter distances too. Pulling back one extra place, and narrowing the gap between our final position and a medal to less than one minute, Louise’s second fastest run for the Belles on the day brought the team home as planned. Distracted by the tent breaking loose and flying away, there was initial excitement that the team had finished in 6th, but it was not to be. Although it was not the case this year, medals really are within our reach now. Bedford & County were clear winners, and Shaftesbury Barnet were clearly second place. In this instance it was Highgate who managed to get the final medal.
1 Bedford &C (0) 1:56:51; 2 Shaftesbury B (0) 2:00:42; 3 Highgate (+3) 2:06:01; 7 Belgrave (+1) 2:06:54.
Fastest: M.Lee (Milton Keynes) 19:09; 2 S.Murphy (Shaftesbury B) 19:42; 3 S.Morris (Bedford &C) 19:58; 6 L.Cooper (Belgrave) 20:39.
Fastest times (among top 50):
1 L.Yelling (Bedford &C) 17:47 (stage 5); 2 M.McCallum (Winchester) 19:00 (1); 3 E.Baker (South London) 19:05 (1); 4 K.Wootton (Bedford &C) 19:07 (4); 5 M.Lee (Milton Keynes) 19:09 (6); 6 J.Wright (Shaftesbury B) 19:10 (3); 21 J.Clark (Belgrave) 20:10 (1); 39 L.Cooper (Belgrave) 20:39 (6).
Wilkinson Ackworth Half Marathon, inc AAA and CAU Champs., Ackworth, Yorkshire, 28 Mar 2004
Another AAA team title for the Bels
There were some sore legs and blistered feet at the conclusion of this race but there was just no subduing a delighted Belgrave team who had picked up their fifth national title of the winter season. And it wasn't just the team medals going our way as David Anderson won his first ever AAA and Inter-Counties titles and Hassan Raidi got in on the act by collecting AAA bronze with Paul Freary getting Inter-Counties bronze. It could have hardly been a more dominating performance because totting up the times of the next three Belgrave men home - Tadesse, Cockerell and Wolf - showed that their total was 3:30:31 - handsomely enough for the silver medals if a club was allowed to enter two teams!
Above left: Kassa Tadesse, Hassan Raidi, David Anderson and Simon Tonui head the field very soon after the start with Paul Freary matching strides with Rob Birchall. Right: 500 metres remaining and David Anderson eyes up Simon Tonui - just out of reach.
The course was pretty tough, described in the pre-race handouts as "undulating". It was certainly scenic, taking in the villages of Wentbridge, Little Smeaton, Stapleton, Darrington and East Hardwick, with the road in between climbing high over open farmland before plunging down into Low Ackworth to finish. A Saturday evening pre-race tour of the circuit by car and a run over the last five miles of the route showed that the final mile was going to be just right for a blistering finish.
It was cold and a little blustery as the race got under way and Simon Tonui and Sammy Malakwen made an early bid for the front. Going through the village of Wentbridge at 3 miles the chasing bunch included Kenyan course record holder John Mutai, Notts AC's Rob Birchall, David Anderson, Hassan Raidi and Kassa Tadesse. They were followed after a short gap by Paul Freary and Kevin Nash, who had made slightly more conservative opening gambits, and Hercules Wimbledon's Adrian Marriott, running in the Surrey team. Joachim Wolf and Will Cockerell gave us seven Belgravians in the top 25!
At 7 miles Anderson overtook Birchall (who had pipped our man in the AAA 10k Championship back in September) and he now set about Mutai, pulling him back by the 9 mile marker. There's always at least one problem though - and this time it was Kevin Nash who had found himself in trouble first when his left calf cramped up badly, and then again when the skin came off his right Achilles tendon. When Will Cockerell came past, meaning that Kevin was now not scoring for Belgrave or Surrey, he wisely concentrated solely on trying to get home without getting too cold and limiting the damage as best he could.
The final climb was completed just after 12 miles and now that roaring descent. David Anderson was moving faster than either of the leading two by now. Malakwen was clearly safe, having done more than enough to win - and take home the course record bonus - but Tonui was only about 60 metres ahead of the Belgrave man with the gap coming down all the way to the finish. Mutai and Birchall held on to their positions but Hassan Raidi had run like a man inspired to get within 8 seconds of Birchall while being chased hard by his own clubmate, Paul Freary.
Will Cockerell was philosophical about his effort, having placed further up the field than ever before - but somewhat down on the time he had hoped for. Maybe the nature of the course had something to do with that. As for Joachim Wolf - it doen't seem to matter whether the course is tough or easy - he always runs 72-something. Rounding off the team, Malachi Byansi was pleased with his run, knowing now that he is on course for a reasonable run in the London Marathon.
Open Race
1 S. Malakwen (Kenya) 1:04:49; 2 S.Tonui (Leamington/Kenya) 1:05:21; 3 David Anderson (Belgrave) 1:05:32; 4 J.Mutai (Bromsgrove & Redditch/Kenya) 1:06:36; 5 R.Birchall (Notts AC) 1:06:52; 6 H.Raidi (Belgrave) 1:07:00; 7 P.Freary 1:07:11; 9 K.Tadesse 1:07:48; 16 W.Cockerell 1:10:06; 23 J.Wolf 1:12:37; 64 M.Byansi 1:18:35; dnf K.Nash; 679 finished.
Team: 1 Belgrave 13 (2 D.Anderson, 5 H.Raidi, 6 P.Freary); 2 Otley AC (7, 25, 27); 3 Leamington 61 (1, 14, 46); 37 teams closed in.
AAA Champs.
Individual: 1 D.Anderson (Belgrave); 2 R.Birchall (Notts AC); 3 H.Raidi (Belgrave).
Team: 1 Belgrave H 3:19:43; 2 Leamington 3:31:31; 3 Otley AC 3:32:17.
CAU Inter-counties
Individual: 1 D.Anderson (North East); 2 R.Birchall (?); 3 P.Freary (Gtr Manchester).
Team: 1 Yorkshire 3:24:29; 2 Surrey - K.Tadesse (Belgrave), A.Marriott (Herc Wimbledon), W.Cockerell (Belgrave) 3:26:31.
Thames Valley Harriers 5 x 3.5 miles Relay, Stockley Park, 20 March 2004
Blowin' up a storm ...
With the Spring relays looming, a strong squad volunteered for this multi-terrain relay held on the almost traffic free roads and golf course of Stockley Park in West London. Looking at the team line-up it was obvious that a record run was on the cards by a substantial margin; but when storms blew in from the west to disrupt rail and air transport and one witnessed, during the race, one of the organiser's tents being ripped out of the ground and bowling its occupants across the grass, one had to admit that chances of cracking our previous course record looked slim.
It was good to see a veterans' team in action. New veteran Bruce Barton impressed on the lead-off leg by bringing the team home in second; President Don Anderson and new member Tony St. Leger kept up the pressure and the team finally placed 5th.
Chris Moss had driven up from Wales for
the race. Given the conditions our ace 800m man could be forgiven
for considering sitting in and "giving it some" in the latter stages.
However, knowing that we still hankered after that record he decided to
put himself on the line and led throughout the leg to complete the stage
two seconds ahead of Bedford & County AC.
Photo: Jonathan Blackledge sets out across the golf course on the final lap. Photo by Patricia Mead.
Having missed World Cross qualification by a mere three seconds, David Anderson decided that he wanted a race on World Cross weekend anyway and planned to put Marty Dent's individual lap record under pressure. As he set out into the wind and rain, almost bent double to avoid the blast, it was obvious that 16:41 was going to be way out of reach on this day. The tight bends around the roundabouts on the road were difficult to negotiate and as he ran out onto the muddied and puddled dirt paths of the golf course no doubt this 12-handicapper would have preferred to have been wearing golfing shoes than road flats - but his 17:05 put the team nearly two minutes clear and stood up as the day's fastest. It now seemed pretty obvious that all times were going to be about 25 seconds down on those achievable in "normal" conditions.
Just in case anyone thought the elements were going to let up at all, a mighty blast hit Hassan as he set of on his stage, almost stopping him in his tracks - and then the sleet set in. The lead went up to over two and a half minutes but, surprisingly, Hassan was not fastest on this stage, for 41 year-old B-runner Mike Trees had set about the men ahead of him with a vengeance. He moved the Bs up to third and only a few seconds short of second spot.Two laps at just under 17:30 were now required to nick that record; surely impossible. Steve Sharp apparently did not think so and his 17:19 not only increased the lead to more than three mintes, he handed Jonathan Blackledge the task of running a mere 17:38! In fact Jonathan relished this responsibility on the last stage and gave everything he could to achieve what was asked of him - a marvellous 17:30 and the day's third fastest.
Senior men 5 x 3.5 miles
A - C.Moss (1) 17:34; David Anderson (1)
17:05; H.Raidi (1) 18:03; S.Sharp 17:19; J.Blackledge 17:30.
B - R.Alsop (9) 18:28; M.Humphrey (7) 19:18; M.Trees (3) 17:58; R.Marcus
20:23; R.Poulter (6) 20:50.
Fastest of the day: David Anderson 17:05; S.Sharp 17:19; J.Blackledge
17:30; C.Moss 17:34.
1 Belgrave H 1:27:31; 2 Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC 1:31:32; 3 Ealing, Southall & Middx. AC.1:34:23; 6 Belgrave B 1:36:57.
Veterans 3 x 3.5 miles
B.Barton (2) 19:39; Don Anderson (8) 22:08; A.St. Leger (5) 21:04.
Fastest: V.Maughan (HHH) 19:36; B.Barton (Belgrave) 19:39; I.Munt (HHH) 19:48.
1 Reading AC 59:43; 2 Aldershot F&D AC 1:01:28; 3 Harrow 1:01:58; 5 Belgrave 1:02:51.