National Road Relays: 3rd October, Sutton Coldfield

Under 18 men

Thanks to help from both Joe Everitt and Ian Allenby ensuring George Watkins could run, the boys had less than 24 hours knowing they would race. A warm, sunny day greeted our lads for this great event, Each leg of 3886 metres was around the roads within Sutton Park. The course itself took in a long 800 metres climb soon after the start. Around 100 teams started.

 Leg 1: Daniel Arnold 46th:12 mins 40 secs

Daniel has had an excellent summer which saw him run 800 metres under 2 minutes for the very first time. He is also County Schools Inter Boys champion for 1500 metres steeplechase and was unlucky not to make the All England Schools champs. He was ranked 20th in England for U17 men. He got a good start and, although admitting it was not his best run, he should take great credit for his effort which was 33 seconds faster than last year.

Leg 2: George Watkins: 11mins 47 secs (2nd fastest) 

George is now an England fell-running international, and he recently placed 3rd in a home countries international event. His excellent win at the YDL Final, over 3000m in 8 mins 54 secs a month ago was also a fine result. He went off rapidly and had a blinder, overhauling no fewer than 29 athletes to bring us home in 17th.

Leg 3: Archie Smith: 12 mins 06 secs (14th fastest)

Archie has had a breakthrough this recent track season, running 800m in 1:55. On Thursday he thought he would not be racing, so he trained with the group and ran 5 x 1200m + 2 x 400m off 70 secs recovery averaging 56 secs. We were really not sure how he would go in the relay. Coach Richard Thurston suggested to Archie, if he were race, to treat it like a hard training run. He did just that and brought us home in 14th place. Archie is hoping to run sub 1:50 for 800m next season and this superb run pleased his coaches and himself. With Herne Hill romping away with this title the WGEL team should feel really satisfied with their performance overall.