Midland Men’s 6-stage &

Women’s 4-stage Road Relays

Sutton Park – Saturday 22 September 2007

B & R qualify again for the Nationals

Above: Over 100 runners set off on leg 1 of the men’s race.

Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club senior men qualified again for the National Relays in late October when its ‘A’ team came 21st (of the ‘A’ teams) in the Midland Championships against many bigger city clubs. The quality of the opposition can be judged by the fact that our ‘A’ team’s overall position was 31st with 7 ‘B’ and 3 ‘C’ teams from other clubs going quicker. Eighty-seven teams competed.

As ever, the race was well organised and marshalled by MCAA who also picked ideal conditions for runners and spectators alike.

Left: Len controls the numbers at the B&R race H.Q. and James Hood waits to run.

Of the original 30+ Club runners originally expressing a wish to run, I gradually lost around 10 through injury, university and holidays but still achieved my aim of running 3 complete teams. When was that done before? Well done to all runners and again thanks for your efforts. I believe we should put out 3 teams every time.

And so to the relays themselves.

Over the 3.65 mile course, the ‘A’ team was lead off by Dave Kesterton who recorded an excellent time to be the Club’s fastest man on the day.  Paul (I nearly didn’t get out of the pen) Atkins then ran a sound leg before James Hood, stepping up from the junior ranks and in his first senior event for the Club, finished in style and with a good time.  Regular Rich Malin, with the second quickest Club time, kept B & R well in the hunt for qualification places on the 4th leg. The Club’s qualification was then cemented by 2 new ‘A’ team runners, Richard Lomas (in his first ever Club race) and, promoted at the last minute, Richard Shardlow.

My initial reaction was that we had not qualified but apologies to our runners, I should have known better that the ‘A’ team would not let the Club down. 

The race between the ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams was a close run thing with only around 2 minutes and 7 places separating them.

Left: John Manley either stretching or demonstrating poor hurdling technique. Right: Jamie Dancyger chases the Solihull & Small Heath Runner on leg 2.

First away for the ‘B’ team was fit again John Manley who recorded a good time. Next off was Jamie Dancyger who scampered round to return with an even better time. Three promoted runners Dickie Doran, Jimmy ‘another scamperer’ Atkins, and Stephen Elsmere all ran well to keep the ‘B’ team’s position in the race before Mark Graham completed the squad’s relay in an excellent time despite nursing an injury.

Mike Hanson gave the ‘C’ team a good start, which was well maintained by the dependable Phil Anderson and making a welcome return, Damian Lewis.  Consistent running by the last three, Calvin Scoltock, Alan Elsmere, and Peter Hawcroft kept the pressure on the ‘B’ team who could never afford to relax.

Left: Judy Appleby recovers after leg 3. Right: Jeanette Malin sets out ahead of Halesowen on the last leg.

The Club also put out a Ladies team in the Women’s 4 Stage Relay, and they too did well against the bigger Clubs to finish 31 st out of 54 teams. Over the shorter course, the first runner was Sally Bevins who ran well and was well supported by Ann Stuart, Judy Appleby, and Jeanette Malin to give the squad a very respectable combined time.  Well done ladies.

Thanks again to all who ran. Thanks also to reserve Dave Whipp, relatives, other supporters (including Barry Cooke and Ross Matthews) and the camera man.

Len Quartly

B&R men’s teams

(figures in brackets show team position attend of leg)

  B&R womens team: 

Selected other results

Mens teams

Womens teams

Quickest individual legs

Phil Nicholl (Tipton)  17:12

Jane Potter (Charnwood)  14:23