Expectations were high as the anticipation around the national 12 stage road relays reached fever point. Thankfully the twelve men did not disappoint over the iconic 5.42km course of Sutton Park in Birmingham.
Leg 1: James Laing (17:22)
Smallest man in the team, biggest run. Jimbo handled the carnage of leg one like a seasoned veteran while others were busy treating the opening mile like a round of golf. Fastest HAC split of the day and set the tone nicely. Cometh the chaos, cometh the Laing.
Leg 2: Ahmad Bilal (17:47)
A very welcome addition and looking like a serious problem (for everyone else). Ahmad was thrilled with an unofficial 5k PB on a tough course. Calm, composed, and clearly just getting started. Watch this space.
Leg 3: Harry Hopkins (18:18)
You can’t accuse Harry of not trying (see photo below) Reward? Fastest “team Rog” and the bragging rights that goes with it. Funny what a mini taper does when you actually respect it.
Leg 4: Travis Bowcambe (18:36)
Another classy, no-nonsense shift from Travis. Quietly exterminating his way through the field. One place gained, job done.
Leg 5: William Mifsud (22:40)
Ah yes. The wobble. It wouldn’t be relays without one. Will’s quad left the chat early doors, leaving him hobbling round helpless as runners streamed past him. Brutal viewing, but serious respect for grinding it out and getting the baton round. Proper team player behaviour and a credit to us.
Leg 6: Ryan Hamdy (18:49)
After proving he is mortal at the Southerns, Ryan returned to his usual cockroach-esque resilience. Two places clawed back with a run that said, “yeah, that last one didn’t count.” Respect.
Leg 7: Dom Speight (19:33)
Late call-up after an illness withdrawal and Dom stepped in like he’d been planning it all week. Dependable Dom got the job done. Celebrated appropriately with a few beers (arguably his strongest event).
Leg 8: Paul Wood (19:15)
If it wasn’t the organisers’ computer system going full “computer says no” on Paul, it was the weather trying its luck. The heavens opened, hail included, but nothing was slowing him down. 19:15… as a 50-year-old???
Leg 9: Jack Chubb (19:00)
Another classy outing from Chubb. The work is well and truly banked ahead of London, and judging by this, he’s ticking along ominously well. His local Harrow parkrunners were relieved to have an easy win.
Leg 10: Connell Metcalf (19:01)
The comeback was simmering nicely and Connell kept it bubbling. Strong, controlled, and exactly what was needed. Chubb was overheard gleefully exclaiming that “every second counts”. Finally the propaganda is starting to work.
Leg 11: Rob Thompson (17:44)
Touch and go whether he’d make the start, but three places made up and calf still in tact. Player-managers take note.
Leg 12: Charlie Wood (18:13)
Charlie ignored conventional pre race nutrition in favour of a wedding taster menu. Rumours already circulating of East Africans panic buying canapé platters. Biggest gain of the day with four places gained to close. HAC’s Galáctico signing?
Final Position: 37th Nationally
And what a day it was, with Hillingdon AC finishing 37th In the English national 12 stage road relays, leaving local London clubs quaking in their boots.
The future’s looking dangerously bright too, with a wave of juniors ready to step in next year and cause even more… selection headaches.
Thank you to HAC for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to race at the highest level. Special mention to John Doyle, Jeremy Collis, Freya Hollingsworth, Phil and Pete Warburton for making the trip, it really makes a difference.
Enjoy the summer.
Then get ready.
Autumn. We go again.
