Herne Hill Harriers round-up: Diminished entry numbers for South of England road relays after location switch
BY KEITH NEWTON
Milton Keynes Athletics Club did an outstanding job following the late cancellation of the South of England road relays – although Herne Hill Harriers fielded a lot fewer teams across the various age groups than would have been the case at Crystal Palace, the original venue.
Harriers did contest both senior events. The course was the short leg used for Southern 12 and six-stage road relays, where Herne Hill women are the defending champions.
Sarah Grover produced a strong first leg for the women’s team, running marginally quicker than on her previous performance here, closing in 18.49 for 13th position.
Charlotte Davies, who has been consistently training with the club over the summer period, produced an 5km season’s best of 19.00, finishing in 15th position.
Martha Reynolds, who came in as a late replacement, moved Herne Hill up two places with a 20.06 clocking. Team captain Julia Wedmore produced 20.05 seal 15th position of the 24 starting teams.
The men were led off by Mike Cummings, on a very competitive opening leg. Cummings paced his effort very nicely and, capitalising on his track speed, was well placed to pass three other runners on the finishing track, including local rivals Kent AC and Belgrave.
Taking over in 20th, U20 athlete David Moyse who has improved significantly over the last two months, ran an excellent leg clocking 16.43, for 25th position.
Simon Coombes had contested several masters races the previous day at the very same venue and, in the circumstances, ran a very solid 17.21 for 26th.
Late replacement Jack Hillier was on leg four and produced the team’s second fastest time with 16.29, for 24th.
Jeff Cunningham, a veteran of road relays, dropped just one place with his 17.06,.
The team was rounded off with an excellent run from Oliver Walker, another of their younger athletes, in 16.44. Herne Hill were 25th of the 48 starting teams.
Both Herne Hill men and women will send teams to the National Road Relay Championships at Sutton Coldfield on October 9.
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