Cross Country Relays
Newport Harriers
BMAF Cross Country Relays
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BMAF Cross Country Relays |
Newport Harriers
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Newport’s women competed in the 45+ category and produced an excellent team performance that saw them hold on to third place and collect the bronze medals. Team captain Ann Saxena ran a scintillating first leg over the 3k course, handing over in first position with what was the second fastest time overall in her race.
On the second leg Cynthia Greenslade pushed herself hard to ensure Newport remained in medal contention. On the final leg Bristol and Les Croupiers surged ahead. Meanwhile, as Carole Fereday took over from Cynthia she had Forest of Dean and Westbury breathing over her shoulders, but Carole ran strongly to bring Newport home in third place.
Newport’s men competed in the 40+ category and were up against some crack teams such as Herne Hill, Bristol and Woodford Green. Brett Davis was lead off man and ran sprightly to hand on ahead of Bridgend B. On leg 2 Elwyn Davies was up against men twenty years his junior but maintained a healthy lead over the trailing Colin Bradley who was guesting for the British Select Team (well, he was wearing his GB vest). On leg 3 Dave Proffitt maintained a consistent team performance improving on Elwyn’s lap time by four seconds.
Darryn McAtee injected some pace on leg 4 and surged past Bridgend’s 50+ back-marker. Completing the team were Steve Berney on leg 5 and Steve Wadley on the last leg. Steve Wadley had been looking forward to locking horns against Bristol’s anchor man and former Commonwealth Games silver medallist Nick Rose. However, by leg 5 Bristol had lapped Newport so this privilege belonged to Steve Berney, although Steve Wadley maintained form to bring Newport home in 13th place, ahead of Coventry Godiva who did not finish.
Men’s team manager Darryn McAtee commented after the race, “There are over a
thousand active clubs in the country, so to finish 13th in a national
championship is an outstanding achievement”.