SEVERN PAIR SHINE IN ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Severn AC mens team put in a good performance by finishing 40th out of 70 teams in the National 12 stage road relay championships in Sutton Park on Saturday.
In sunny, warm conditions the race was run over 12 alternating legs of 5.4 miles and three miles. Rising star Josh Lilly got the team off to a flying start on the first leg running 26.22 to hand over in third place. It was his quickest lap of the Sutton Park circuit and indicates that he is in the form of his life coming into the track season. Determined not to be outdone, 19 year old Tim Dalton stormed around the second leg in 14.42 to give his club the overall lead by 11 seconds. It was the first time in their short history that Severn had led a National standard competition and it certainly got the club a lot more attention than normal. On the third leg Simon Fortnam (30.15) had the impossible task of preserving that lead, he held onto it for almost a mile before being caught and passed by 20 of the top runners in the country. Sean Kinsey, on his return from injury, ran a solid fourth leg in 17.43 but lost nine places down to 29th. On leg five Nathan Bishop (30.07) ran well to only lose one position. Dave Gilbert (16.33) ran a good leg six as the team dropped a further place to 31st. On leg seven Gary Hope took 34 seconds off his Midland relay time to move the team up three places to 28th with a quick 28.58. Nicky Gaulder (19.11) dropped four places to 32nd before club captain Alex Hope (30.12) continued his preparation for the London marathon while moving the team up two places to 30th. Steve Hale (17.31) dropped one place to 31st and Stewart Lynas (32.28) dropped three places to 34th on the penultimate leg. The final short leg was run by Gary Barnes (19.11) as the team came home in 40th position. Cheltenham and County passed Severn on the 11th leg and went on to finish as the top Gloucestershire club in 33rd. The expected close race with Stroud AC never materialised as their below strength team finished 64th.
After the race team spokesman Simon Fortnam said "That was a great team effort and everyone worked really hard again. A lot of people were surprised when we were in the lead on the third leg but Josh and Tim had superb runs and they deserve all the credit. They were both just outside the overall top 10 times of the day which is a fantastic achievement when you consider the standard of competition."
Tim Dalton added "I really enjoyed that, I didnt expect to take the lead but the guy in front of me slowed so I passed him and pulled away. I am preparing for the track season now and I hoping to run some fast times over 800 and 1500m."
40 Severn AC 4:43:19
Josh Lilly (3) 26:22
Tim Dalton (1) 14:42
Simon Fortnam (20) 30:15
Sean Kinsey (29) 17:43
Nathan Bishop (30) 30:07
Dave Gilbert (31) 16:33
Gary Hope (28) 28:58
Nicky Gaulder (32) 19:11
Alex Hope (30) 30:12
Steve Hale (31) 17:31
Stewart Lynas (34) 32:28
Gary Barnes (40) 19:11
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