National Road Relays 2022

12 October 2022

After a successful Midland Road Relays last month there was excitement in the air for the 6 Harrier teams that returned to Birmingham for the English Champs. 

The U13 boys team took 4th at the Midland Champs and impressed even more this time around finishing 10th, the highest placed Harrier team of the day. Oliver Wilson got them off to a good start, beating his time from the Midland Champs running 14:55 and passing over to Jack Pennell in 28th. Pennell moved steadily through the field in a near identical time of 14:54. This meant Patrick Paul began his leg in 20th place. Paul ran an inspired leg, flying through the field and producing the =5th fastest time of the day, 13:17, meaning the team finished in 10th overall.

Olivia Avery, Scarlett Eagland and Evie Avery took U13 girls silver at the Midland Road Relays and the talented trio were at their best once again with a 12th place finish. Olivia Avery kicked things off running 30 seconds faster then she did two weeks ago finishing in 15:15 and 19th place. Eagland’s time of 15:35 moved the team up to 15th and earned her 10th quickest on her leg. Evie Avery continued the momentum on the last leg with a time of 15:22 and 9th quickest on leg three. 

The U15 boys team of Sam Wilson, Harry Knight and Dom Martin placed 31st. Wilson got out to a good start running 13:11 for 22nd place, Knight then produced a solid run to finish in 16:13 and pass over to Martin in 60th. Martin gained a massive 29 places on his leg with a time of 12:43, the 9th quickest time overall.

The U15 girls team finished in 44th with Bluebell Heath-Smith kicking things off with a run of 15:46 for 49th. Heath-Smith passed over to Jessica Sheppard who ran 16:22 to move up two places into 47th and Amelie Paul gained a further 3 places with a time of 16:17.  

Isobel Watt took on the challenge of leg 1 for the U17 girls finishing 30th in 15:01. Isobel Burfitt ran well to finish in 18:01 and 46th place. Finally Milly Foster moved the team up to 40th with a good time of 16:42. 

The Senior Women’s team, consisting of two U20 athletes ran well to finish in 37th place. Kiya Dee set off hard on leg 1, going with the early leaders which included international level athletes. Dee’s commitment to the pace rewarded her with a time of 15:17 and 21st place. Ciara Thornley moved the team up 1 place to 21st, with another impressive performance of 15:21. Alison Garton and Jo Wilkie then brought the team home with Garton running 18:22 for 32nd and Wilkie running 18:08. 

(Photo: The Senior Woman's Team)