Centurion Running Club

Relay Results 2001

17/11/01 Birmingham University Relays

06/10/01 Midland Cross Country Relays, Burbage Common

29/09/01 Midland Men's 6 Stage Road Relays, Sutton Park

29/09/01 Midland Ladies' 4 Stage Road Relays, Sutton Park

28/04/01 National Men's 12 Stage Road Relays, Sutton Park

28/04/01 National Ladies' 6 Stage Road Relays, Sutton Park

07/04/01 Midland Men's 12 Stage Road Relays, Sutton Park

07/04/01 Midland Ladies' 6 Stage Road Relays, Sutton Park

31/03/01 Warwickshire Road Relays, Sutton Park

Saturday, November 17^th - Birmingham University Relays

The Bham Uni Relays were billed as a two-mile leg but when we arrived we found it had been changed to 2.5k! (1.5 miles plus about 90M).

Mens Teams and approx times were:

A
Preston 8:02 14th
Gary Turner 8:50 16th
Bob Eaton 9:01 17th
Andy Rea 8:57 19th

B
Colin Eckloff 9:01
Mike Williams 8:51
Adam Jones 8:57
Neil Prentice 9:31

Kim ran 8:54 for the ladies and came in 3rd. Superb displays by all the youngsters, especially Mike Williams who was faster than everyone except Preston and may have even beat Gary whose time we're unsure of; and my mate Neil in his first race for the club.

What a shock to the system! The leaders hared off at an incredible pace and Preston was 5th last after 200 metres! He recovered well to 14th though. It was agony throughout for me having done no quality for 18 months but mercifully all over in 9 minutes. Given the extra 90 or so metres I only managed 5:50 pace but it felt like 4 minute-miling.

Bob Eaton

Saturday, October 6^th - Midland Cross Country Relays

Burbage Common

Another relay and another nightmare for the men's team management.

Three teams were entered but at 2.00 p.m. (race start) only one first team runner had arrived. Fortunately most of the B & C team runners were there so while the first leg was being run rapid changes were made to the team make-ups. Further changes were made when the latecomers arrived.

It has become so difficult to organise our teams for the relays that the enjoyment has gone.

The good news is that our two recent recruits (Adam Jones & Ed Wallace) made their debuts in a cross-country race and did very well indeed.

In contrast to the men's section, the ladies team seemed to go without a hitch with Mary Williams, Sally Gisbourne and Steph.Smart arriving together in plenty of time.

Results

Men's 'A'

A. Mathews (24-30) E. Cupitt (26.06) K. Southgate (24-41) T. Healy (23-58) 1-39-15

Men's 'B'

T. Sharkey (25-05) A. Jones (28-42) G. Turner (23-08) T. O'Connor (27-42) 1-44-37

Men's 'C'

S. Machray (26-41) E. Wallace (31-39) (incomplete team)

Ladies' 'A'

M. Williams (27-50) S. Gisbourne (28.56) S. Smart (30.15) 1-27-01

[Final positions not known.]

Geoff Wheeler

Saturday, September 29^th - Midland Men's 6 Stage Road Relays

Sutton Park

Saturday, September 29^th - Midland Ladies' 4 Stage Road Relays

Sutton Park

Saturday, April 28^th - National Men's 12 Stage Road Relays

Sutton Park

Our first ever venture into the National finals for the men's team saw our twelve brave men well and truly outclassed but retaining enthusiastic until the very end. The blustery conditions were a hindrance to fast times - Tipton won in the slowest ever winning time - and our runners all found their times a little down on their heroics of three weeks previously.

Missing several of our stars from the Midland and with a number of our runners suffering injuries or from the after effects of London, we weren't surprised to find ourselves bringing up the rear from early on in the race - and this despite the fact that our fastest long and short legs of the day were recorded by Pete and Bob on legs one and two respectively.

We caused considerable confusion at the end of the race when, due to Eric, our 12^th leg runner, being involved in the mass start and thereby finishing in front of our 11^th leg runner, the computer blew a fuse and declared us an 'incomplete team'. This was eventually "corrected" with Olav awarded a time of 32 minutes (he wasn't complaining - he'd clocked himself at over 34 minutes) which gave us 60^th

Despite all that, we thoroughly enjoyed our rare excursion into such hallowed ranks and certainly enjoyed watching the closest finish in years as Tipton came from behind on the last leg to pip long-time leaders Belgrave by just 6 seconds, virtually in the final straight.

Saturday, April 28^th - National Ladies' 6 Stage Road Relays

Sutton Park

Our ladies' team suffered the disappointment of being recorded as disqualified, despite putting up a brave show amongst top class company. Unfortunately, our fifth leg runner was not amongst those declared before the start of the race, leading to our inevitable disqualification.

Despite this and despite the windy conditions, Kim continued her return to form with an excellent 17:33 and Di produced an encouraging last leg of 18:44. The race itself was in doubt until the final few strides, as Charnwood came from behind to pip Sale on the line by just 2 seconds.

Saturday, April 7^th - Midland Men's 12 Stage Road Relays

Sutton Park

This year's 12 stage relays were held on one of the wettest afternoons of a very wet year. At this rate we'll all need to grow flippers! The heavy rain only ceased for the later legs, by which time some of the park roads had started to disappear under water. However, thanks to the efforts of Tony O, we were once again able to shelter in the Centurions 'team tent', only emerging for the briefest of warm-ups before splashing our way round the course.

Preston recorded the fastest long leg with an excellent 29:28; fastest short leg came from Andy R, 17:33. Other notable performances included Clive's continued return to form, 31 minute long legs from both Pete and Paul, and a sub-18 short leg from Gary.

Tipton ran out impressive winners, having led from leg 2. We were certainly not disgraced, finishing in 27^th place - not that far off winning an invitation to the National. Next year, who knows?

And not even the weather dampened our enthusiasm as we managed to field a full 'A' team and half a 'B' team, giving us a grand total of 18 male runners - our best turnout in a long time.

Full results.

Saturday, April 7^th - Midland Ladies' 6 Stage Road Relays

Sutton Park

Once again, the ladies' 6 stage relays was held alongside the men's longer event and so, like the men, the Centurion ladies' team had to overcome some atrocious weather. Kim's 17:54 was the best Centurion time of the day as we sped to a highly creditable 13^th place. Tipton won to complete the double.

Full results.

Saturday, March 31^st - Warwickshire Road Relays

Sutton Park

Kim got the ladies' team off to a fine start despite a swirling wind, storming into a first leg lead. She was well backed up by Val, Mary and Diane, who couldn't quite hold off a powerful challenge from Birchfield - an excellent all-round performance, nevertheless, and a fine second place.

Pete recorded the fastest time of the day for the men - even though he was let down by his poor lace-tying technique! Paul and Andy R were the other two Centurions who broke the 16 minute barrier in a very consistent A team. It was nice to welcome Clive back after a lengthy absence - and great to see him in such fine form. The only drawback of the day was that, despite our best efforts we narrowly failed to complete a full C team.

Still, given that so many races are currently being cancelled, we were grateful to be able to enjoy such an excellent warm up for the following week's 12 stage.