Owls use wise tactics to fight their way back and lift trophy
A BIG turnout of 120 athletics team ranging from juniors to veteran runners battled for top honours in six different age groups at the grand annual Livingston Relays held at the scenic Mallory Park, near Hinckley, writes Geshom
But at the end of a superb sunny day, Owls AC Leicester and Wreak & Soar Valley AC came out top, winning the tougher races in their respective men and women’s open division.
The Owls men’s team, comprising of Simon Allen, Bilal Farah, Scott Green and Luke Ingram, tactically fought their way from behind to lift the trophy.
They ran as a compact team recording almost similar times in their three-mile leg splits and comfortably crossed the line first in a time of 1:04:07 over the 4x3 mile race.
Wreak & Soar Valley AC, the pre-race favourites, stumbled and finished second in 1:05.40. But one of their runners, Tom Mahon, ran the fastest leg across the board recording a perfect 15:26, after being partnered by Jack Friend, Mackenzie Bloxham and Paul Miles.
The team had another drawback with the absence of one of their key runners - Sam Stabler.
West End Runners, consisting of Jamie Kingsbury-Smith, Daniel Thomas, Simon Mayes and George Seymour, finished third in 1:09:11, ahead of former champions Heanor RC of Derby.
The relays competition, however, turned out to be more successful for Wreak & Soar Valley AC who won three titles in the women’s senior open, both titles in the Under-15 boys and girls, and finished runners-up in the men’s senior open division. It was Layla Bryan, Imogen Saunders and Isaballa Wrightman who brilliantly carried the day, winning the women’s senior 3x3mile relay race in 53.24. They overcame challenges from Daventry AAC of Northampton and Chanwood AC of Loughborough who registered 53:41 and 56:26 respectively.
Long-serving athlete Gemma Steel ran the fastest time of all the female competitors in 16:22, but it was not enough for her Charnwood AC team – which included Estelle Damant and Amelie McCann – to claim top position.
In recognition for Steel’s outstanding running career, the 37-year-old was honoured by the organisers Leicestershire & Rutland Athletics Association (LRRL) and race management ATW Events to present trophies to all the teams, including herself taking the trophy being the fastest runner.
Wreak & Soar Valley AC juniors promised bright futures – Jake Tyrell, Kieran James and Josh Hatherly won the Under-15 boys Trophy in 52:19 while the Under 15-girls team of Phoebe Langlands, Luan Power and Eloise Geary triumphed in 55:47 in their respective 3x3mile relay races.
The juniors impressed and occupied all the three positions in both age groups.
Veteran runners, a discipline with usual big numbers in action, had Nuneaton Harriers’ Dan Rowen, Chris Jordan, Andrew Massey and Andy Parkes wining the men’s trophy in 1:07:48.
They easily beat Wreak Runners (1:11:20) and Hinckley Running Club (1:1159).
Birstall AC veteran women made up of Kim Blount, Donna Corrigan and Nadine Michael fought a tight contest to clinch the title in 1:04:27.
Stilton Striders finished four seconds adrift, with Barrow Runners third in 1:06:11.