MEN'S 4 STAGE CROSS COUNTRY RELAY, PRIORY PARK, REIGATE, NOVEMBER 5TH 2016
Author: Bill LawsA biting northerly wind couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of a strong contingent of Charlie’s runners. The men’s team comprised 3 of our strengthening squad of “boiler room” runners backed by newcomer Arne Dumez. This course has a demanding climb of around 150m soon after the start and how that is tackled determines lap times. Go off too conservatively and time cannot be made up late. Go off too hard and you pay big time. With this in mind, the first three stages were navigated in very similar times with only 8 seconds covering the efforts of lead-off man, Matt Welsh, second stager Nick Bundle and Arne Dumez.Matt held on well for the first leg which as usual was front loaded by the weaker teams and handed over to Nick in 6th spot. Nick hunted down the opposition to pull up to third and we awaited Arne’s debut with interest. He certainly looks the part but was overly cautious at the start. Not a bad thing as he stormed the flat and descent to move into second but still 40 seconds behind a strong Tonbridge team.Ed Auden is improving all the time and as the leader faded into the distance he set off with a determination which is becoming his hall mark. Gradually the advantage was whittled down and as the leader burst out of the woods with only an 800m run to the finish Ed was still closing fast. Shouted on by a strong group of Belgrave supporters his final lung bursting efforts proved in vain as the Tonbridge man had held enough back for a winning effort. But Ed was credited with the second fastest time of the day. Things are looking good.
Result. 1. Tonbridge 56:20. 2. Belgrave 56:28, 3. Reigate Priory 57:51.Matt Welsh 14:18, Nick Bundle 14:10, Arne Dumaz 14:13, Ed Auden 13:47