Another Great day for Wreake and Soar Valley AC by Tara Tomson
Livingston relays 2019 took place last week on Sunday 5th May and it was such a fantastic day to be part of. The club is brimming with talent across all age groups and this was apparent with Wreake and Soar Valley featuring in a lot of the awards categories! John Skevington had some words to say on the event:
“What a great day and well done to everyone involved whether administrating the team, supporting or racing. Events such as this help us to show off our real strength in depth and put us on the local running club map. It’s a greater advert than winning a national title! The team work, camaraderie and endless support for every athlete no matter what position they were in was fantastic. It all goes to highlight again what a fantastic team spirit that we have within the club” [John Skevington].
There were unexpected challenges met by some on the course with reports of a moped, and a goose parading on the course! An encounter reported by Zach Spence competing in leg 3 of the senior men’s A team on the day, “Beware of the goose… It didn’t stop me from getting a new PB”. Well done to Zach with a new Pb of 16 minutes 41 on the course. Men’s A team was made up of Tom Mahon on first leg, Matt Hallam on second, Zack Spence on third and Sam Stabler on the final leg, with an impressive cumulative 63 minutes 25 and in second place overall in the senior men’s’ category. Congratulations go out to Tom Mahon on his impressive time, and his award for the fastest leg on the day for senior category. The mens B team in leg order was made up of Paul Miles, Chris Dunbobbin, Richard Botting and Adam Arthur’s clocking up a total time of 76 minutes 14 and finishing 20th overall.
The club put together two full teams in the U15 boys side and nearly a third, short by one runner. Representing the A team in the day were Lucas Spence, Milo Brotherton and Mackenzie Bloxham and finishing in 1st place for the age category and with a total time of 54 minutes 05. Congratulations to Mackenzie Bloxham on his fastest leg time for the U15 Boys. U15 Boys B team finished strongly too in 3rd place with a total time 58 minutes 11 and represented by Joe Pointon, Ewan Russell and Lucas Geary. The C team were represented by James Butcher and Freddie Blockley Smith. Ewan Russell said, “it was my first year being able to take part, a new PB for 3 miles and was a sublime experience”.
Under 15 Girls put an incredible 6 teams out on the day. The A team finished in 1st place with an overall time of 57 minutes 21 and with athletes Isabella Wrightam, Rosie Ashmore and Lyla Bryan. Congratulations to Isabella Wrightam for her fastest leg award in the U15 Girls category. B team finished closely in second place in a total time of 58 minutes 12 with athletes Sophie Dunbobbin, Imogen Saunders, and Lillie Holford. C team was made up of Eliza Weselby, Rebecca Cullen and Isobel Orencas and finishing 4th overall in a time of 61 minutes 13. D team finished in 8th clocking the time 66.15 overall made up of Holly Wright, Amelia Norton and Olivia Macfarlane. E team finished 6th place and with a overall time of 64 minutes 13, represented by Jorja White, Eloise Geary, and Jess Keller. Finally F team were made up of Alice Galbraith, Isabelle Parker, and finished in 71 minutes 27 with an overall position of 11th for their age group.
Under 20 women finished 1st in their category with a total time of 63 minutes 39 and represented by Olivia Bailey, Fern Harrison and Isla Stuart. I spoke with Fern on the day, who told me she was happy to be back racing after a time injured and away from the club. Olivia Bailey said “the course is great and it’s a brilliant race to take part in”. Congratulations go out to Olivia Bailey on her achieving the fastest leg time for the U20 women category.
Wreake and Soar Valley women put out 4 teams made up of three senior and one veteran side. The A team delivered a stellar performance finishing in first place with a total time of 54 minutes 09, and represented by Katie Parker, Kirsty Addy and Rosie Timlock. Ever the humble athlete, Rosie said, “To catch up on the West End runner and win the race was great! “.
Congratulations to Katie on her new PB of 17 minutes 28 and her award for fastest leg in the senior category; Katie looked so happy on the day with an infectious grin that went from ear to ear! The B Team finished in 9th place overall with a time of 63 minutes 24 represented by Emily Bradshaw, Tara Tomson, and Rebecca Miles. C team finished in 27th place with a total time of 72 minutes 31 and represented by Claire Bryan, Michelle Findon and Kelly Parker.
The clubs only veteran side to be put out on the day was made up by Vicki Galbraith, Julie Ashby and Nicola McGlinchley finishing 8th for their category with a total time of 68 minutes 41. I spoke to the senior and veteran women’s side and there was much to be said about the hill near the end which I will not repeat, however there was agreement that the event is brilliant; team ethos amazing, and a fab day all round. The distance is tough on the legs and the lungs, but at the end of it, always feel happy to have raced, and represented the club. Vicki Galbraith said “I really enjoyed the race… apart from the hill in the last mile” and Michelle Findon echoed my thoughts exactly, “so good to see so many people of all abilities taking part” and I would add, smiling on the day. Running is fun!
