5 July 2008	NEWCASTLE 4 x 1 MILE RELAYS
	A change of venue made for even better racing and spectating for the 18 Stoke AC athletes and their supporters who attended this superb local event. An interesting and twisty course gave multiple vantage points for spectators, and you always knew who was just behind you!  The first leg saw a battle between top U15 Tom Guy and the improving U17 Mike Harding as they followed the leading senior men home. Tom's finish just got him home in front of Mike, but it was close all the way to the line. Further down the field Tim Smith returned to action with a solid run for the senior men, and youngsters Danny Organisciak and Alex Brecker also had good runs inside 5.30. At the very front of the field leading local runner Alex Derricott from Staffs Moorlands showed just a touch of his talent as he ran the fastest time of the day (4.37) ahead of Potteries Half Marathon winner Ben Gamble who also ran the day's second fastest time. On the second leg Nathan Ainsworth continued the U17 men's good work with an excellent 5.04 performance to take them into a clear second. This took him further away from the senior men's Steve Cooper who also had a good run to come through four places to 4th overall. Sandwiched between these two, another of our top U15s Jamie Krzowski also performed well. A little further down the field Rob Wilson and 11 year old Lindon Evans ran strong races to take a few more places for their teams. By the third leg Staffs Moorlands were well away, but Liam Hendricken stuck to his task brilliantly for the U17 team to leave them in a clear second. Taking over six seconds behind top 13 year old Dave Sheldon I showed far too much pace in the early stages and nearly paid for my mistake as Dave hung on superbly - a reminder to the lads to do as I say, not as I do! Despite Dave's great effort I did have just enough strength left to get the senior men up to third overall. Mike Harding was now into his second run of the day and continued the second U17 team's climb the up the field with a strong 5.21 performance ahead of another good run from U15 Kris Washington. On the last leg U17 Joe Broome set out with intent of maintaining his second place, but new find Gary Castrey had other ideas for the senior men. Gary may be 40 but has recently started to show glimpses of enormous unfulfilled talent as he caught Joe with just 300m to go. It is a testament to Joe's commitment that he never gave up and fought for that second place all the way to the line as the two teams finished only 2 seconds apart, with the senior men narrowly the victors. For the U15 team Kieron Lee showed that he is continuing to improve as they finished a clear 4th overall. Nathan Ainsworth also ran his second leg of the day to record another sub 5.30 leg for the U17s, and the youngest member of the squad Macauley Snutch brought the youngest boys home with another good run.  Overall this was a good turnout for us with all the quicker senior men away at the Midland Track and Field League. Staffs Moorlands continue to lead the local pack with a great set of older teenagers, but the challenge is on for us to keep our lads enjoying their running, and see what the next few years bring. Gary Castrey ran the 4th fastest time overall (4.55) and the quickest time by a 'Vet', with Tom Guy running the fastest U15 time (4.58). Full results from Newcastle AC Photos thanks to Bryan Dale
	'D' Team (Senior men) 1. Tim Smith 2. Steve Cooper 3. John Danahay 4. Gary Castrey 'E' Team (U17) 1. Mike Harding 2. Nathan Ainsworth 3. Liam Hendricken 4. Joe Broome 'A' Team (U15) 1. Tom Guy  2. Jamie Krzowski 3. Dave Sheldon 4. Kieron Lee 'C' Team (U17) 1. Danny Organisciak 2. Rob Wilson 3. Mike Harding 4. Nathan Ainsworth 'B' Team (U15) 1. Alex Brecker 2. Lindon Evans 3. Kris Washington 4. Macauley Snutch	2nd overall 20.31 5.15 5.13 5.08 4.55 3rd overall 20.33 4.59 5.04 5.15 5.15 4th overall 21.07 - 1st U15 team 4.58 5.23 5.21 5.25 8th overall 21.41 5.26 5.29 5.21 5.25 11th overall 22.42 - 2nd U15 team 5.30 5.41 5.42 5.49