ERRA Women's National 6-Stage Road Relay, Sutton Coldfield, 5 April 2014.

Well, the dream may have been top 6, but minus several luminaries, this was a clinical return.  Two years ago we were 7 minutes off the medals, last year 5, this year 3. The squad and running order were announced a fortnight out, and not a peep was heard between then and the gun.  Such good girls, and the sign of a stable squad. 

Nursing a sniffle all week, Zoe was hardly dancing a gay mambo jive out there, but she still set us up with a fine time.  It was her 12th Belles race this season, a figure shortly to be matched by Mel.  Between those two, Tish and Jojo, this fab four equivalent of John, Paul, George and Ringo have reeled off 45 races this term. 

So heart-warming to see the Murph-ledg cruising along on two.  She held the ship steady, and if the will is there, we can yet wring more gems out of an incredible club servant.

Our Captain marvel scored 3rd quickest for us on the day for a big advance, how skilfully she brings a season to a crescendo; whilst another to advance on October's time was Mel.  Her stunner at Parliament Hill leaves us thirsty for more, but these things can't be rushed, and more blinders will be unfurled in the coming 12 months.

It was Space Invaders next, as Tish slashed our 18th in two.  The distance is a little short for her, as it was for another half-marathon queen Susan Partridge, who ranks 2nd on the Run Britain rankings.  In their own private dispute of the distance-junkies, TJ prevailed by four ticks.  Here's a quick thought: how about if on two of the stages, the women had to put in a long leg? That'd shake things up a bit, and reward clubs with purist endurance runners.

To settle out account in style, it's great to have Nelle back in the thick of things, and didn't she look sparky out there, outgunning MW by a single tick.  Perhaps a tangy season on the track awaits. 

In summary , yes we would have savoured a few more pips up the leaderboard, but this was still the 2nd equal finest placing in club history, and adds considerable value to the 2nd at MK, and 2nd and 4th at the Southern and National Cross.  Easy to forget how many solid clubs there are. 

Lovely to see the Maycocks out on the course supporting, and we all hope good things for Fee's 'return of the crankle'.  And a huge thanks to CD's ever patient and reassuring match-management on the day.

1 Aldershot F&D ‘A’ 1:27:00; 2 Swansea H 1:29:28; 3 Bristol & West 1:32:03; 4 Birchfield H 1:32:26; 5 Morpeth 1:32:47; 6 Rotherham H 1:33:15; … 10 Belgrave H 1:35:52; … 57 teams started, 40 finished.

Belgrave runners.  Z Doyle (24) 15:48; S Murphy (26) 16:34; J Rhodes (21) 16:14; M Wilkins (18) 16:19; T Jones (9) 14:39; N Quispel (10) 16:18.

Fastest: 1 E Gorecka (Aldershot F&D) 13:51; 2 L Weightman (Morpeth) 14:03; L Whittle (Royal Sutton Coldfield) 14:06; 4 L Partridge (Aldershot F&D) 14:17; ... 10 T Jones 14:39.