BVAC struggled to put together a team in the final event of the cross country season - the relay.
However, Chris Marshall, recipient of the award for the leading 60+ male runner this season brought us home to finish 16th out of 28 against strong (and considerably younger) opposition. Well done all and thanks to those who came to support. Thanks also to Helen James for getting us all organised.
The presentations afterwards also saw Anne Unseld crowned as leading 50+ female runner and Pam Woodward receiving the trophy for leading 60+ female runner. Well done both.
| Race No |
Order |
Name |
|
M/F |
Lap time |
Total time |
Pos |
| 1030 |
1 |
Claire |
McGavigon |
F |
0:17:24 |
0:17:24 |
21 |
| 1130 |
2 |
Paul |
Marshall |
M |
0:14:55 |
0:32:19 |
14 |
| 1230 |
3 |
Peter |
Ratcliffe |
M |
0:17:09 |
0:49:28 |
15 |
| 1330 |
4 |
Phil |
Greenfield |
M |
0:16:25 |
1:05:53 |
14 |
| 1430 |
5 |
Chris |
Marshall |
M |
0:15:12 |
1:21:05 |
16 |
Report from Rob Bright
It was, perhaps, a fitting end to the season, that the relay event was closely fought out between teams from Paddock Wood AC and from Larkfield AC – the two clubs which finished the season at the top of the league. Champions, Paddock Wood took the honours by just 9 seconds ahead of a total of 28 complete teams of 5.
The 2.1 mile circuit encompassed some tough terrain through Shore Woods Country Park with twisting woodland tracks, mud underfoot and the notorious “Cardiac Hill” about half a mile from the end. The weather was mercifully mild and dry throughout the race. About 12 of the competitors enjoyed it some much that they chose to race twice !
First off were the ladies, and the race soon turned into a clash of the champions. Tina Oldershaw and Annabelle Stearns were locked together throughout the circuit, with Oldershaw finishing in 14.00 and handing over to give Paddock Woood an advantage of just 3 seconds. Nicola Susans brought Larkfield into the frame with third place some 45 seconds adrift while Dartford Harriers’ lead-off runner Rachael Ward was a further 50 seconds back in 4th.
The second leg saw Gareth Evans set the second fastest lap time of the day to give the Larks a lead of just 6 seconds. David Abery kept Gravesendin contention about 40 seconds off the lead and Nick Wood, with another fast time, kept Dartford Harriers in fourth place place. Meanwhile, a good run from Individual runner-up Stuart Nicholson hauled Swanley up from 11 places to lie 5th.
On leg 3, Iain Morris and Des White ran the same time to the second at the front of the field, meaning Larkfield held their slender advantage over Paddock Wood and by now these two had an advantage of over a minute on the rest of the field. Jason Marchant brought Dartford Harriers into the top 3 and Peter Gibson briefly brought Istead and Ifield into 4th place ahead of Swanley.
The fouth leg saw Rob Rowland run a decisive leg for Paddock Wood, ovehauling Larkfield’s Michael Evans and putting a clear 42 seconds at the front of the field. An amazing effort by Dartford Harriers’ Ruth Ward kept the hoops in third place – this being her second run in the race ! Our league champion Mike Baron went round in 13.39 to pull Swanley back into 4th place – then proceeded to change his number and commence the final leg.
On the anchor leg, Pete Buckingham spent a nervous time at the front of the race with frequent backward glances. Simon Hesketh chased him down valiantly, but in the end, the Larkfield man was a good 30 metres back as Buckingham crossed the line. In third place was the familiar figure of Andy Pickett while Mike Baron’s (probably illegal) double run brought Swanley home in fourth. Dartford Roadrunners finished 6th with Andy Green recording the fastest lap of the day (12.48) on the final leg.
The presentation was well attended, although somewhat delayed owing to us having to cover the mile or so back from the Country Park to Cascades Leisure Centre – thanks to everyone for their patience in hanging on. Thanks also to Istead and Ifield Harriers – to Andy Archer in particular who combined the successful organisation of Sunday’s event with the arrival of a baby boy 48 hours earlier.
So here endeth another successful cross country season. Hope to be back in the autumn.