Newark Athletic Club vets master British Masters Open Relay Championships

Newark Athletic Club were placed in the top ten in their debut showing at a national road running relay competition.

Newark finished eighth in the annual British Masters Open Relay Championships at Sutton Park, which brings together the UK’s best veteran athletes (over-35 age groups).

The format requires six individuals to each race a 5km loop on a challenging hilly course.

Many of the competing athletes have previously represented senior and age group national and international teams.

The Newark AC male V35 team started strongly with Jan Bailey completing his leg in a stunning time of 16-13 before handing over to Geoff Gregory in fourth position.

Following Gregory’s awe-inspiring leg, holding off the challenge from many of the traditionally-strong teams, David Robinson and then Dan Wheat took over the responsibility of keeping Newark in the hunt for a top-ten finish.

With the field starting to spread out it was left to the reliable Adrian Dix and the resurgent Tom Marshall to bring the team home in an extremely creditable eighth position.

Team manager Damian Davies said: “With the number of junior, senior and veteran athletes challenging for honours at regional and national level, the reputation of Newark AC is increasingly becoming recognised as a force to be reckoned with.

“Supported by the coaches, committee and volunteers, along with the newly built facilities at the YMCA, it looks as though the future for the club is in a strong position to bring through many more success stories for the town."