22nd Sept 2007	MIDLAND 6 STAGE ROAD RELAY - SUTTON PARK
	It was good to see a Stoke AC team in action again at this event after a difficult summer on the track at senior level. Team Manager Steve Shubotham did a great job to get us out again, and the new Stoke AC tent looked great in the Sutton Park sunshine. Steve Bazell showed that a better winter on the country should be on the cards as he battled round the first stage more than 50 seconds faster than his effort last year.  On the second leg Danny Barker, Bourne Sports' fastest member of staff, showed perhaps his best form since he was a teenager. Despite suffering with stitch over the closing stages, Danny's excellent run gained 6 places. Another returnee after a few years out of the sport, Steve Cooper, was suffering from the effects of a cold but still ran strongly enough to give the club a chance of National 6 stage qualification. Ultra runner Brian Cole agreed to run his stage as a warm-up for the tough Meerbrook 15k the next day. Despite not really breaking sweat Brian gained 4 places. Pete Benyon is another who has been out of the sport for a while and he again showed fantastic commitment to avoid losing any places. Just a little training will make a massive difference to Pete. As for myself, I keep saying it is the final time. I can't claim that I am not pretty fit compared to the average 45 year old but this felt really hard! I might have to do a bit more than jogging in the mornings... Somehow I avoided losing another place, and I think 21st place amongst A teams (30th overall) will see us through to the National 6 stage in October. Special mention must be made of local rivals Newcastle AC who put in a great effort to head us in this race for the first time in many years. We are going to have to improve considerably in the next couple of weeks (and get out a couple of missing athletes) to retain our North Staffs cross country title this year! John Danahay Full results at www.race-results.co.uk
	(30) Steve Bazell (26) Danny Barker (34) Steve Cooper (30) Brian Cole (30) Pete Benyon (30) John Danahay Total Time	19.42 19.40 21.50 20.10 21.28 21.39 2.04.29