The long awaited NECAA XC relays that were postponed during the pandemic took place at Thornley Hall Farm on Saturday 10th April. The first XC action for over a year since the last harrier league event at Lambton Estates on Saturday 14th March 2020.
Due to a restriction on the number of teams a club could submit Elswick were able to field 2 senior ladies teams and 2 senior men’s teams of consisting of 4 runners for the men and 3 for the ladies and a V40 team for both ladies and gents of comprising of 3 runners.
The V40 ladies of Joanne Brown running the 7th fastest leg in 12.49, Felicity Smith 13.31 who pulled back 4 places and Andrea Banner 13.26 did themselves and the club immensely proud as they placed 3rd overall with a time of 39.26 from 18 complete teams.
The Vet men of Daniel Nettle 12.55, Lee Coulson 12.24 who overtook 6 runners and Simon Allen 12.06 who secured 24th position finished proudly with a combined time of 37.25 from 37 complete teams however knocking off another 3 seconds would have seen then move up a position.
The senior ladies A team comprising of Amy Fuller running the fastest leg 10.55, Nichola Conlon who had an extraordinarily strong first outing for the club 12.35 and Judith Nutt 12.36 ran home in a combined time of 36.06 coming top of the pack by 15 seconds which the club are extremely proud of (1st) from 24 complete teams.
The b team consisting of Arabella Arnott 13.59, Sarah Addison 15.19 and Amy Heptinstall 14.31 picking of 2 runners in the final leg meaning this team finished in a time of 43.49 in 19th overall from 24 complete teams.
The men’s senior A team of Scott Brady 10.48, Richard Houghton 11.16, Robb Young 11.25 and Luke Hilliard 10.54 who passed 3 runners during his run secured 9th from 30 complete teams with a time of 44.23. Four seconds better off and the team would have finished in 7th place.
Senior men’s B team consisting of Paul Taylor 11.44, Jonathan Rewcastle 11.41, Simon McEnaney 11.45 and David Jones making his relay debut 12.36 finished in a time of 47.46 placing 18th from 30 complete teams. Fantastic to see each runner in this team pull back places on each leg.
Running clockwise on solid bobbly ground in stunning sunny conditions saw the following teams and runners enjoying a day of XC which has been widely missed.
Click the link for the full set of results: NECAA Senior XC Relays – NEMAA (weebly.com)