WEST DISTRICT XC RELAY REPORT

More photos from Frances in this album.
A nice sunny day for the 3rd Saturday in a row greeted us at Hamilton Park Racecourse. Its been 45 years since this venue was last used so it was new to us all and I must say its long overdue for its return. Everyone had nothing but good comments about the course and I think we need some sort of campaign to make sure its not another 45 years. We had four ladies running so Julie and Frances were up for the first leg and in the early stages Julie had set off in about 12th place as they headed down the hill away from the grandstand with Frances sitting in just behind mid pack. By the end of the first leg Julie had dropped a few places but had kept herself in the top 20 with a time of 16.27. No idea about Frances's place but a steady run in 18.22. (official times and places not available at this time ).

Joanne took over from Julie with a determined look on her face as she passed the grandstand. By the time she came home she had kept the girls in a good position with a time of 16.59 and to use her own words she will not accept the officials giving her a bigger time. Last out for the girls was Karen still on the comeback road just looking to keep her improvements going after a lay off and she didn't disappoint running a good performance of 18.01.
Next up we had the men with 9 running so first legs went to Ian Hughes, John McBride and Russell Couper.

Off we went at a gallop (Pardon the Pun) and as everyone started to move away from me I thought I was at the rear of the field so just had to get on with it. As we reached the far end of the course we get into the twisty section and found at one of the turns there was someone about 30yds behind me so a much needed incentive to keep ahead as by this time big John was reaching the point of getting out of sight from me and Ian had already disappeared. Times at the line were Ian 14.56. John unknown but an estimate of 19.30 and myself 21.22 which is a pace of about 30 secs per km faster than last week. ( softer ground better for me at the moment ). Andy took over from Ian and Chas took over from John and set about trying to consolidate there positions with Andy running 16.19 and Chas 21.52. We then come to the 3rd leg with Davie Herbertson taking over from Andy. Now it gets interesting as the official times could be well out as Richard on the start line waiting for Chas was started early (never known them to start a 3rd leg early they normally wait till the 4th ). Anyway both obviously liked the course posting great times with Davie running 16.02 and Richard running 17.43 as I say his official time might be about 15mins and he wants that counted in the GP.

With just one leg left we had Jim Holmes taking over from Davie and Hugh waiting for Richard was also started early. Both had fairly lonely runs as the field was well spread by this time but Jim came home in 16.16 and Hugh with 18.15 and as with Richard he wants official time counted.
We had a few supporters round the course cheering us on so many thanks to the families of Ian, Hugh and Davie and to Roddy Shanks who used to represent the club in all these events great to see you again Roddy.
After the race the Vet wanted to put down Frances as she had thrown a shoe but we managed to persuade them not to.
If this venue is used again I would urge everyone to enter as its a fantastic venue for a good days racing