Winchester Running Club showed why they have become the City’s dominant force over the last year with an excellent showing at the South of England Road Relays. This annual event, hosted by Aldershot at the Rushmoor Arena, brings together the strongest clubs and their athletes to race over three to six stages and distances of between 3 and 6 km. This year was no exception with the enthusiastic crowds treated to some top class racing.
Despite being in existence for only 11 months, the distinctive red, white and black vests of Winchester were visible across all the age groups, from U15 through to the over 50 veterans.
Fresh from an excellent performance at the National Cross Country the previous week, Tom Savill started the proceedings off with a storming first leg for the U15 boys. Unavailability unfortunately meant the club could not field a full team at this age group with recruitment being a primary target for the upcoming season.
Next to run were the under 17 girls, racing alongside the masters ladies. Poppy Taylor led off the U17’s strongly with the middle distance specialist handing over to Grace Baker in 15th position. Baker continued her fine early season form, steadily moving through the field before handing over to Kali Ruffell-Moreira. Also and excellent tri-athlete, Kali pulled out all the stops to produce a fine leg to bring the team home in a very well deserved 7th place overall. Whilst the younger end of the club were doing amazing things the vets were also engaged in a battle over the same undulating 4.6km course. Tamsin Anderson, former Hampshire Road Race league winner and club Chair was first to run, passing on to Sam Parkinson in 7th position. A former masters road relay winner, Sam dug deep to keep the team in contention for a top 10 finish. Lucy Elliott, age group world record holder over 10km, as always ran a strong final leg to cement 8th place and a second top 10 finish for the Winchester club.
Whilst all this was happening, the U17 men had also started on their stages. A hot favourite for a medal after 4th place at the recent National cross country, Ruben Price, another of the clubs outstanding tri-athletes, powered his way into 3rd place in an exceptionally strong field of runners. Casper Wilson took on the next leg and seemed in complete control finishing the first lap in 2nd place. Much to Casper’s disappointment and his club mates concern, he succumbed to crippling stomach pains and sickness. Determined to finish he was eventually able to battle on before handing over to Sam Wilkinson. Reassured that all was ok with his teammate, Sam was able to focus on his running and pull back as many places as possible for the team. With a couple of late drop outs, Aiden Furby was the only runner for the B team. He ran strongly and this will surely boost his confidence for the season ahead. Despite the disappointment, great things are expected of this talented age group this season.
It was then the turn of the senior women to take on four stages of 6km. Charlotte Ragan, outstanding over the longer marathon distance, put the A team in a strong position. It was just the platform Alex Lane, the club’s treasurer, required as she showed her strength over this type of distance to move into 7th place. Erin Wilmers, newly appointed coach of the growing junior section, continued her fine road and track form to consolidate 6th position before handing over to Rose Chesterfield to run the final leg. The South of England U20 cross country champion, home from the University of Birmingham to race, didn’t disappoint and cemented the club’s 3rd top 10 finish with a very well deserved 6th place. The ladies B team also produced a fine performance. Northern Ireland international Karla Borland ran a good first leg before handing over to Ellie Swire. Onher way back from injury, Ellie put in a promising performance that bodes well for the upcoming cross country season. That left two club newcomers to finish off the race. Aimee Lister, running faster and faster took the third leg and Helen Jones produced the quickest leg of the team to safely see a top 40 finish for the club.
Finally it was the turn of the senior men to race over the longer 6km course. The senior men’s A team were attempting to achieve a top 25 finish and qualify for the upcoming National road relays. A mixture of youth and experience saw the club achieve that goal. The first three runners were all U20’s. Harry Wilson, soon to be an Oxford University student, was first to go before handing on to team mate Will Atkins for the 2nd leg. Stan Parkinson was third to go and by this stage that top 25 position was a reality. Matt Port ran the 2nd fastest leg behind Atkins to push the team inside the top 25. Adrian Faultly put in a gutsy performance to consolidate the position before handing over to Mags Gregory to run the 6th and final leg. Gregory did not disappoint and the former kayaker powered his way around the undulating course doing enough to see the club qualify. The B team comprising Nick Davies, James Lewis, Harry Stow, Jake Callaway, late replacement Paul Horler and James Moore all put in solid performances and a 74th place in such a large, high quality field was no disgrace.
Also running over the same 6km course were the masters men and the two teams of four provided the final two top 10 finishes of the day. In 7th place were a high quality V40 team made up of James Bewley, David Comb, team manager Rich Bidgood and Paul Gaimster. Excellent runs from all 4 earned them a very creditable 7th place. The V50 team of Marius Kwint, Andy Parkinson, Rick Munro and Pete Curtis left many wondering if perhaps there should be a check on birth certificates finally crossing the line in 9th place.
Coach Nick Anderson, who was in attendance all day, was delighted with the performance of everyone who raced. ‘The road relays are one of the highlights of the racing calendar and to have so many runners taking part from the club is testament to the great atmosphere that has been created in the first year of existence.’ With juniors, seniors, parents, partners and other family members all in attendance and providing fantastic support, Winchester Running Club is definitely the place to be.
