5th April 2008	MIDLAND 6 STAGE MASTERS ROAD RELAY - SUTTON PARK
	Although this has traditionally been the day when we have competed as a twelve man team, continuing problems with fitness and availability of our younger athletes meant that we had to take a decision to enter a competition with medal winning potential at masters level instead.  However, with a couple of our top masters runners unavailable through illness or injury it was only thanks to George Cooper responding to a very late call-up that City of Stoke completed a team in the Masters race at the Midlands Road Relays for the first time. In fact not only did we complete a team, but for much of the race it looked like a medal winning debut! Top local cross country master Andy Allen set the stage with an excellent performance over the first long stage. Difficult blustery conditions certainly paid a part in slower times than usual, but Andy's determined effort meant that we were in touch with the leading teams. On the second short leg, new recruit Gary Castrey showed that he might be a future masters force over the shorter distances on the track and road with an outstanding 16.32 effort as he moved strongly into second. Gary was also the fastest masters runner on this stage and in fact ended up third fastest overall on the short stage legs. I then took over and scraped into the lead by the end of my short lap, with another fastest masters time of the stage. Was the pain enough to make me consider training properly once again? The jury is still out! Following my efforts, ultra runner Brian Cole took over for the second long stage, and despite 'saving something' for the London Marathon next weekend, maintained our overall lead in front of some top masters competitors. Former international Fell Runner Mark Kinch has been injured for much of the last year but toughed it out on the fifth short stage with a much better run than he has managed on the country this winter to keep the team in contention for a bronze medal. Mark can improve quickly so hopefully he will stay free from injury.  Last but certainly not least, City of Stoke AC boys team manager George Cooper (who I am almost certain was the oldest competitor in the race), bustled round in just over 8 minute miles to complete a great (and top local) team performance in seventh place overall. It says much about George's competitiveness that he fought every masters runner that passed him, despite them being up to more than 30 years younger than himself, and there was no one who had given more by the finish. Although George's fantastic efforts got us to a team finish, it has to be said that we do have the potential to win competitions like this. So come on you local over 35s, why not run with us instead. The Stoke AC Masters Track and Field team has been one of the top teams in the Midlands for the past 5 years - can we work the same magic with our endurance runners? I must also mention an outstanding performance from former Stoke AC athlete (and current National Masters Cross Country champion) Rob Whalley, running for Bristol and West who stormed round to 4th fastest long leg time overall in the main 12 stage event! Local rivals Staffordshire Moorlands also did well to field 18 runners as they competed in both the masters race, and qualified for the National 12 stage Road Relay championships later in the month. John Danahay Full  results at www.race-results.co.uk
	(3) Andy Allen (2) Gary Castrey (1) John Danahay (1) Brian Cole (3) Mark Kinch (7) George Cooper 7th Masters Team overall	29.14 (LS) 16.32 16.57 29:27 (LS) 17.37 25.19