Jude Glynn Reports on last month’s events: The onset of Autumn brings not only the joys of the ‘Leaf fall timetable’ but also the Midlands and National Road Relays. (and with an even longer wait than for a train, this race report).
Held in Sutton Park – so not actually on roads BUT on road like surfaces-so normal running shoes, or ‘racing flats’ (no, I haven’t got any of the latter either!). The distance for both is 4.33k-for which I can offer no explanation but I do like the fact that it’s less than a parkrun!
The Midlands unfortunately clashed with the JW Ultra but we still had four full teams.
It was (as Pooh would say) ‘a rather blustery day’ and running into a headwind was certainly hard work. Changeovers also proved unusually challenging but everyone rose to the occasion and fine personal performances were put in with the teams finishing 31st, 48th, 60th and 80th . Several people were running for ‘Team Teal’ for the first time and they all did the team proud! The teams were:
A
Monica Baptista
Emily Holden
Lisa Cartwright
Rhian Littlewood
B
Collette Greenhouse
Sam Gallagher
Leonie Clitherow
Jude Glynn
C
Jo Irving
Louise Pendergast
Louisa Moore
Ellie Ahmed
D
Anna Gunning
Grainne Bermingham
Anna Ostojitsch
Louisa Kingsbury
The Nationals followed two weeks later – a great experience, taking part with some of the fastest runners in the country. Anything we lacked in speed we made up for with enthusiasm and support – this time we had cow bells! We finished in a higher position than last year and everyone who had run last year ran significantly faster this year. Again we had people running relays for the first time and again they did very well. We finished 48th, 60th and 62nd and the teams were
A
Monica Baptista
Lin Howell
Emily Holden
Rhian Littlewood
B
Sam Gallagher
Louisa Moore
Jo Irving
Jude Glynn
C
Grainne Bermingham
Charlotte Forcer
Jo Whiting
Anna Ostojitsch
Thanks to our supporters on both occasions and to everyone who ran – I was very proud of you all.