Newark AC impress at the ERRA National Road Relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham, as the men’s team finish 46th overall

Newark AC were out in force as both their men and women took part in the ERRA National Road Relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham.

The teams successfully qualified at the Midlands event a fortnight earlier, although there were a few absentees from those line-ups.

The men’s team had a solid start again with Tom Marshall leading them out. Throughout the line-up, everyone recorded similar times from two weeks earlier but these were tougher conditions given the warm weather.

Oliver Crampton, however, thrived on the tough course, recording a time more than 30 seconds quicker from last time out. Ed Buck again showed his great form with a lap time which was the third fastest of leg four on the day. There were also great runs for those who came into the team.

Overall, the men’s team finished a credible 46th with times of: Tom Marshall (16.52), Will Tucker (16.38), Marcus Chesterton (18.09), Ed Buck (15.11), Chris Harrison (18.22), Dan Dunningon (17.22), Adrian Dix (20.05), Oliver Crampton (18.04), Tim Bagguley (18.58), Rob Lindsay (17.53), Adam Swallow (19.10), Leigh Marshall (17.25).

Cloe Hubbard ran brilliantly and recorded a quicker time to lead the women’s team out.

Great times followed with Molly Betmead in the top 10 of the fifth leg on the day. Due to bad luck and a breakdown on the way, despite trying to get our final runner there, the women’s team wasn’t complete.

Times: Cloe Hubbard (20.39), Carly Jackson (23.53), Rebecca Taylor (19.48), Lauren Owens (25.28) and Molly Betmead (18.54).

Given that three years ago Newark AC had never fielded a team for the 12/6 stages at Midlands level, let alone the nationals, the performance showed great team spirit.

Harrison competed in the Boston Half Marathon on Sunday, finishing in 11th place in 1hr20min34sec and second in the V40 category – particularly impressive having been part of the men’s team the previous day.