Aldershot Relays inc. SEAA 6-Stage Championship, Rushmoor Arena
Fifth at Rushmoor - not at all bad, all things considered
A bit short on numbers for various reasons it was still felt that we could medal if everything went our way although it was equally likely we’d be just outside the frame.
Twice Scottish National Cross Country Champion Mark Pollard took the lead-off leg for the Bels and with a previous run of 18:34 around Rushmoor Arena, some brilliant runs in claret and gold and a good summer behind him, the odds were that he’d bring us home inside the top ten … but it wasn’t one of those days and 27 teams had gone through the takeover area before Steve Davies was sent on his way. But this was just what Steve was looking for, and almost sprinting up the initial slope he was soon into the action as if he was potting “ducks” at a shooting gallery. He pulled back no fewer than seventeen teams as he ran to 18:18 for 14th best on the day. Winchester had grabbed the lead on stage one and held it on two with Shaftesbury in 2nd and Bedford & County in 3rd.
Continuing the advance Richard Ward picked up another three spots, very happy with the way his run went but surprised his actual time wasn't a little faster. With much chopping and changing Kent AC had gone into the lead through an outstanding 17:37 from Pollock.
James Kelly has been laying down some solid training throughout the summer after a period plagued with injury. His 67:29 for the Great North Run the previous week was a pb and he didn't disappoint here as he gained another place and more importantly brought us closer to the teams ahead as the front six all closed up. The men of Kent still led but were chased now by the Beagles and Aldershot with Winchester, Bedford and Tonbridge in front of us.
The plan was for Will Cockerell to hold on to our place and this he did, overtaking Tonbridge but in turn giving way to Dodwell of Highgate (they do enjoy being in front of the Bels). Still the field concertina’d. AFD were taking their turn at the head of proceedings but the Beagle’s Gerrard was not far behind and set out like a man on a mission. We also had a man on a special assignment; as so often lately Paskar was on anchor and he made short work of Bedford and Highgate, drawing ever closer to Winchester and Kent ahead. He set the third best time of the day and became one of our few elite men who have gone sub-18 on this course … but we ended up just 34 seconds down on the medals. A great run by Paskar and actually a pretty good run by the team.
1 Newham & Essex Beagles 1:50:56; 2 Aldershot F&D AC 1:51:21; 3 Kent AC 1:52:15; 4 Winchester &D AC 1:52:37; 5 Belgrave H 1:52:49; 6 Highgate H 1:53:31; 83 teams started; 68 teams finished.
Belgrave: M Pollard (28) 19:36; S Davies 18:18 (11, 4th best on stage); R Ward 18:35 (8, 5), J Kelly 18:32 (7, 5); W Cockerell 19:40 (7, 7); P Owor 17:58 (5, 1).
Fastest:1 P Pollock (Kent) 17:37; 2 C Powney (Winchester &D) 17:57; 3 P Owor (Belgrave H) 17:58; 4 G Watts (Shaftesbury B) 17:59; 5 K Haywood (Bideford) 18:00; 6 N Hall (Bedford) 18:02.
Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.