Royal Signal Relays – 0 to 30!

After a no show in 2016 we had thirty athletes competing in The Royal Signals Relays at Hetton at the weekend. A magnificent turnout with three ladies’ teams of four runners and three men’s teams of six.

In the senior women’s race in 33^rd place came the Wallsend A team with Sarah Robson 14.31, Laura Firth 15.59, Emily James 16.20 and Erin Prior 14.02. So much is said of what Erin has already achieved as a young emerging talent, but the big question is how much faster will she go in future?

Next came Julie Williams 16.02, Judith Smith 18.08, Mish Margison 17.33 and Laura Murphy 18.22 who were the 14^th Women’s veteran team and 70^th overall.  Fantastic run by Julie, that might have just clinched the Winter Grand Prix for her.

And in 89^th place came the Wallsend B team with Sarah Graham 18.36, Lesley Cummings 21.07, Christine Stretesky 20.14 and Julie Colinson 19.08.  A fantastic effort by all and well done to Lesley for stepping in at the last minute.

For the men in 18^th place was Wallsend A team in a time 75.46.  Matthew Darbyshire 12.25, Tim Nicholson 12.46, Oliver Aird 12.48, Kris Stobbs 13.00, Samuel Charlton 12.24 and Simon Lyon 12.23.  Great running by our young athletes Olly and Sam and only two seconds separated our fastest three runners.  Special mention for Kris who showed us more than just his running prowess.

Next came Wallsend B in 38^th place.  Joe Collins 12.44, Sean Mcintyre 13.35, Mick Skeldon 14.22, David Diston 13.50, Jack Armstrong 13.01, Denver Stretesky 12.54.  Great running by the youngsters Jack and Denver.

And finally in 54^th place came Wallsend C with Alan Heslington 15.18, Barry Aslopp 15.22, Paul James 13.54, Dave Collinson 15.08, David Hall 15.07 and Andy Wigmore 15.19.  Not bad for a team with three V50 runners.  Fastest time was Paul James who came in under 14 minutes but only 14 seconds separated the other five runners who all ran under 7 minute miles for the 2.22 mile course.  Well done young Barry and Alan!

Click here to view all the photos in our gallery.

A fantastic time was had by all and despite concerns by some about not letting team members down (which no one did of course) I think we all know now that that isn’t the spirit of Wallsend Harriers and we hope to put out even more teams next year.

Next up is Alnwick for the final cross country event of the season.  If you haven’t done XC already this season then you must make this one, and if you already have then one more won’t hurt.  See you all there.

Alan H