Forty-six runners from Bedford and County, ranging in age from eleven up to fifty, took part in the English National Road Relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham on Sunday 6th October. In total, fourteen teams from the club took part, and three of them achieved top twenty finishes.

The Bedford & County AC Senior Men’s A team were without several athletes from the squad that finished 3rd at the recent Southern Road Relays, and so the originally hoped-for top six finish was always going to be difficult. And so it proved, although the below full-strength team still finished in a very creditable 11th place of the 80 teams taking part, all of whom had qualified through their area championships. The team was led off by Matt Bray, whose very solid run of 17:57 brought the team home in 19th place. Irish International Matt Bergin wasted no time in chasing down the teams ahead of him, scything through the field to finish in 4th place, with a superb run of 17:25. Jack Goodwin’s fine run of 17:57 was not quite enough to hold off several of England’s best as he slipped to 6th. Jono Janes was next up for Bedford, running an excellent 18:11 as he slipped just one place to 7th. Alfie Yabsley on leg 5 dropped another place with his run of 19:03. Running a solid 19:09. Last leg runner Mike Channing was unable to hold off several of the chasing clubs as he brought the team home in a final position of 11th.

The Senior Men’s B team of Pete Benedickter (19:29), Harry Brodie (19:01), Richard Henderson (19:01), Ed Blythman (19:08), Will Mullins (19:56) and Matt Nicholson (20:09), finished in an overall 43rd place and 11th B Team. All-in-all, a very satisfying result that bodes well for the rest of the season.

(Thanks to Tony Forrest for the report on the Senior Men’s teams).

Bedford’s youthful Senior Women’s A team, three of whom are still under 20s, achieved 17th spot in their four-stage race. First off was Tia Wilson, who got the Bedford women off to a fine start, completing her 4.33 kilometre leg in 15:20, handing over in sixteenth position. Next, Lauren Nichols (17:00) and Josie Smith (16:46) put in solid legs, to set up Alice Burgin, who made up eight places, running the final leg in 15:41 to bring the team home in 17th position.

The highest placing of the day went to the Under 13 Girls A team. Like the Senior Men, Bedford’s Under 13 Girls had medalled at the Southern Road Relays in September, and they did almost as well at the National event. The three-girl team of Lyla Danobrega (15:18), Milly Dunger (15:37), and Lily Farr (15:16), finished in a superb seventh position. Lyla battled through a highly competitive first leg to hand over to Milly in eleventh position. Milly sped past four clubs to push the team up to seventh, and Lilly held off a challenge from fast-finishing Stockport Harriers to complete a fantastic race for the young Bedford ladies.

Full results are below. Well done to all those who took part.

Results:

Senior Women’s A Team: 17th - Tia Wilson (15:20), Lauren Nichols (17:00), Josie Smith (16:46), Alice Burgin (15:41)

Senior Women’s B team: 54th - Lucy Shepherd (17:12), Emma Smith (18:34), Hayley Vinnicombe (21:06), Claire Perusko (19:30).

Under 17 Women: 26th - Alicia Athersmith (16:18), Grace Flemons (16:16), Holly Hodgskinson (16:32)

Under 15 Girls: 28th - Maddison Webb (15:54), Sophie Leslie (17:09), Natalie Simmons (15:31) 

Under 13 Girls’ A team: 7th – Lyla Danobrega (15:18), Milly Dunger (15:37), Lily Farr (15:16)

Under 13 Girls’ B team: 32nd - Lucy Deller (16:23), Daisy Flemons (17:45), Lily Hodgkinson (17:06)

Senior Men’s A Team: 11th - Matt Bray (17:57), Matt Bergin (17:25), Jack Goodwin (17:57), Jono Janes (18:11), Alfred Yabsley (19:03), Michael Channing (19:09)

Senior Men’s B Team: 43rd - Pete Benedickter (19:29), Harry Brodie (19:01), Richard Henderso (19:01), Ed Blythman (19:08), William Mullins (19:56), Matthew Nicholson (20:09)

Under 17 Men’s A team: 33rd - Alex Alston (12:16), Tristan Cook (13:58), Callum Webb (13:37)

Under 17 Men’s B team (incomplete): - Gregory Herring (13:50)

Under 15 boys’ A team: 29th - Noah Campion (12:59), Christopher Brod (15:24), Euan Supple (13:49)

Under 15 boys’ B Team: 58th - Ethan Cairns (14:58), James Taylor (15:24), Ayman Siad (16:32)

Under 13 boys’ A Team: 33rd - Cameron Barnes (14:17), Austin Cole (18:09), Samuel Hudson (15:15)

Under 13 boys’ B Team (incomplete): Daniel Smith (17:25)