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MIDLAND COUNTIES MEN’S 6 STAGE ROAD RELAYS
Sutton Park, Birmingham
Saturday 23rd September 2006
B & R MEN WIN THROUGH TO THE NATIONALS
 
Left: Kevin Lanckham sets off on leg 6 for the A team. Right: Richard Malin recovers after leg 3.
Mercifully the heavy rain of Friday had given way to warm sunny conditions ideal for runners and spectators alike and a chance to top up any summer tan.
B & R entered 2 teams for the men’s relays at Sutton Park (a total of 89 full teams ran) with some clubs putting out 3, 4 and even 5 teams. When counting the runners in incomplete teams, over 560 athletes completed the 3.6 miles (approx.) distance.
‘A’ team
Matt Addison was B & R’s fastest man clocking an impressive 18:30 to be the 32nd quickest runner in the whole field on the day. He ran the first leg, to finish in 7th position, to get the ‘A’ team off to a flying start. Excellent support from James Adie and Richard Malin, who both recorded good times, left the team well placed at the half way stage. Damian Lewis, promoted to the ‘A’ team at the last moment and understandably anxious about following on from the quickies on the first 3 legs, nevertheless ran well on leg 4 and maintained the team’s position in the middle of the qualifying places. So with Phil Carbutt and Kevin Lanckham running legs 5 and 6, could there be any doubt that the team would qualify for the Nationals? Of course not. Both produced good solid performances to bring the team home in 18th place (first 25 teams qualify). Congratulations team!
The winning team, Tipton ‘A’, completed the course in 1:49:13. B & R’s time was 2:00:31 nearly 1:30 mins quicker than in 2005 when the team finished 19th.
‘B’ team
The team overcame the last minute loss of the injured Ian Keyte to finish in 53rd place. A dodgy knee persuaded Dave Henderson (initially in the ‘A’ team) to run for the ‘B’ team (rather than to possibly break down and jeopardise the ‘A’ team’s chance of qualification). Dave still managed a very good 1st leg to set the team on their way. Phil Anderson maintained the standard, despite lack of race training and his surprise at the Jubilee Stone, where he expected to turn for home only to find there was another ½ mile or so had been included. Paul Atkins, Gavin Moorhead and Mark Graham all ran well to record similar times before, on the anchor leg, Phil Scarr made a most welcome and sound return to racing. Well done to all.
B & R’s ‘B’ team time was 2:13:21, less than a minute down on last year when the ‘B’ team finished 51st.
 
Left: Len busy managing at B&R race H.Q. Right: Damian Lewis & Dave Henderson not even looking tired after running their legs.
After the race, runners were to be seen busily completing survey forms about athletes well being for James Adie’s friend from University. Runner’s mutterings were heard along the lines of ‘my legs already ache and now I’ve got brain ache!!!’ Now come on chaps it wasn’t that hard.
And did I enjoy my first experience in charge? Yes and not just because both teams did well. Thanks to all Club members for good communications before Saturday which helped me get the teams together; to the teams for taking part; to reserves Dave Whipp and Barry Cooke for being there on the day – (Dave would have run if needed despite his toothache!!); and to supporters who came to encourage the runners.
Click here to see the photo gallery
For your diaries: The National Road 6 Stage Relays are on Saturday 21st October 2006 (start 1.30pm) at Sutton Park.
B&R Times
‘A’ team
1 Matt Addison 18:30
2 James Adie 19:46
3 Rich Malin 19:39
4 Damian Lewis 20:52
5 Phil Carbutt 20:19
6 Kevin Lanckham 21:25
‘B’ team
1 Dave Henderson 20:25
2 Phil Anderson 23:13
3 Paul Atkins 22:16
4 Gavin Moorhead 22:29
5 Mark Graham 22:11
6 Phil Scarr 22:47
Leading teams & local A teams
1 Tipton Harriers 1:49:13
2 Bristol & West 1:49:43
3 Owls 1:50:13
6 Birchfield Harriers 1:53:12
9 Cheltenham 1:56:31
17 Halesowen 1:58:39
18 B&R 2:00:31
26 K'minster & Stourport 2:03:46
29 Leamington 2:04:23
30 B’ham & Solihull 2:04:38
31 DASH 2:06:28
37 Gloucester 2:07:56
38 Kenilworth 2:08:03
49 Stourbridge 2:11:55
56 B'ham Rowheath 2:14:17
69 Stratford 2:22:46
75 Bournville H. 2:25:59
76 Dudley-K 2:26:31
Len Q
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