28th National Masters Road Relays  Saturday 14th May 2016.

• Four teams from Middleton Harriers traveled to Sutton Park to take part in the Annual National Masters Road relays against teams from as far away as Kirkintilloch, Bristol & West, and Les Croupiers from Cardiff. The event is organised by the British Masters Athletics Federation and has the following categories: Mens 35-44 6x stage, 45-54 4x stage, 55-64 3x stage, 65-75 3xstage. Ladies 35-44 4x stage,  45-54 3x stage 55-64 3x stage.
• The race was held over 3 miles of tarmac path in gently undulating parkland on the outskirts of Sutton in the West Midlands. The weather conditions were perfect, bright but not too hot with a cool breeze on the higher parts of the course.
• We had two ladies teams  - in the W45 Kyrinda Carter-Moore, Julie Jones and Cathie Murphy. In the W55 event the ladies were represented by Chris Brooke, Chris Eckersley and Ruth First. The men also had 2 teams: 45-54 Colin Carter, Steve Vasiliou, Roland Robson and Charlie Bowcock.The 55-64 team comprised Craig Sutherland, Steve Granville and Barrie Fairbrother.

The teams did well with all the competitors returning good times and in some cases season's best. All agreed that the event is an excellent opportunity for Middleton runners to get together and test themselves against some of the best UK vets. This is an annual must-do and it'd be great if we could get a full team of 6 for the M35 and and 4 for the W35 for next year.

For further information here is a link to the BMAF website http://bmaf.info/ and full results http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2016/

Excellent running weather, sunny with a slight breeze saw Middleton Harriers enter 2 teams in the British Masters Relay at Sutton Park on Saturday 16th May. The course is unchanged from last year at 3 miles for each leg and and gently undulating.First off were the ladies V55 with Chris Brooks taking the first leg followed by Christine Eckersley and Ruth Hare on the final leg. A good performance was posted with the team coming home in a creditable 8th position with an overall time of 1:17:48 and with an excellent time from Chris Brooks who bettered her time from last year by 36 seconds.

The men set off at midday led by Alan Garvey who handed over to Steve Granville with Craig Sutherland running the final leg. This team was unchanged from last year and completing the course in 1:07:11, 49 seconds faster  than their time for the previous year. The bulk of this improvement was down to a dazzling leg from Alan Garvey who completed his leg in 21:20. Steve Granville returning to fitness after illness put in a good leg to complete in exactly the same time as last year with Craig Sutherland finishing in 22:00.