o.t.s.o…..relays

I always used to really enjoy relay racing. They add an extra dimension to the already competitive nature of a race. I’m always conscious of the fact that if you have an off day, it’s not just yourself that suffers ! I mention this, having just run in my first relay race for many years – the inaugural midsummer relay, staged at Penshurst place and hosted by Tonbridge AC on Wednesday evening.

Consisting of teams of three runners, and with categories of all male, all female and mixed teams, there were plenty of challenges available. The course was a 4 kilometre route comprised of a grassy and fairly rutted underfoot start up a long and sapping hill for the first mile, followed by 3/4 mile of level gravelly track and finished with a predominantly downhill road surface for the home run. On a pleasant summer’s evening, in the setting of the grounds of the estate and with the imposing backdrop of Penshurst place, the venue could hardly be bettered. There was a real sense of fun and enjoyment around the whole evening, and the fantastic turnout of 94 teams on this first staging of the event bodes well for it to become a favourite on the summer fixture list in years to come – special mention to Tunbridge Wells Harriers who fielded no fewer than 23 teams !

A brilliant first leg run from Liam White of Tunbridge Wells Harriers brought them to the first handover 28 seconds clear of the chasing Tonbridge team, but a strong fight back by Matthew Dennis on the second leg meant that as the final leg commenced, there were just 3 seconds separating the top two teams. However, Tonbridge had greater strength in depth and had saved an ace for the final leg, Steve Strange running the second quickest lap of the day, with 12’21”, bringing his team home nearly one and a half minutes clear of Central Park AC who had also managed to overhaul TW harriers by the end. The main results were: 1st Male team – Tonbridge AC ; 1st Female team – Tonbridge AC ; 1st mixed team – Cambridge Harriers. Fastest leg (male) – Liam White (TWH) 12’09”. Fastest leg (female) – Nicolene Hanekom (Sevenoaks AC) 14’33”. Category positions from my club Paddock Wood AC’s 4 teams were: 3rd female team, 11th male team, 14th mixed team and 27th mixed team.

Some very impressive performances (and from personal experience, some less impressive !) were witnessed, but above all the organisers deserve recognition for executing such a great event. No names to be singled out, but a fine team effort, thanks to all concerned.

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