SEAA 12-Stage Road Relay, Milton Keynes

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).

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.