Hereward Relay 2016
Peterborough to Whittlesey to March to Welney to Ely
Sunday, 27th November at 9am
On Sunday 27th November John Fernandez, Jacqui Reid, Keith Luck and I went up north to do the annual Hereward Relay from Peterborough to Ely via Whittlesey, March and Welney for 40 miles in 4 legs. Ultra-runners can also run the entire distance in solo. John and I were greeted by the organiser Stephen Cowell at the start as he told us we were the only team from London and we have taken part in this event for many years. I can only remember my first Hereward Relay was 10 years ago in 2006. John said he remembered he first took part in 2002.
The uniqueness of this event is that the weather is always bad at this time of every year in the Hereward Way region. After 10 years of participation, I can now call myself a “Hereward Relay Veteran”. I can’t even remember there has
been any year with sunshine and dry surface. We have been through wind, rain, storm, hailstones and snow. We’ve become tougher runners so we keep going back every year to experience the adverse weather conditions. This year is no exception. It was very windy and the terrain was very soft and muddy but it could have been worse had this event been held a week before when most parts of England were battered by the “Storm Angus”.
Prior to the event, we received an email from the organiser advising us the change of the start from the Peterborough Cathedral to the Peterborough Athletic Track. The two locations are only about 12 minute walk away from each other. The Peterborough Athletic Track is a beautiful venue. It has lots of toilets which is a big plus. Hurrah, no more big queue at the MacDonald’s opposite to the Cathedral. There is also a big lobby with radiator blasting out hot air. Another big plus, no more hanging around in the cold on the street.
The first leg runners were told to run round the track for one lap before going off to the trail. After sending John off, I drove to Whittlesey to the Manor Leisure Centre to take over from John. John arrived at 10:12am having finished his leg in 1:12’42” . When I started, I knew there should be 2 more runners behind me. On smooth surface, I managed to keep 9 minute a mile pace. On the grass and muddy surface I could only manage just under 1
1 minute a mile pace. There are also 4 kissing gates which I have to pull the handle to open the gate to get through. By mile 8, I overtook another runner. I finished about a minute better than last year in 1:44’44”.
Jacqui finished her leg 3 in 1:33’00” and Keith finished his leg 4 in 1:30’42”. Our team beat 7 teams and came 103rd out of 110 teams. Thanks Jacqui and Keith for catching up with the time and helping to improve our team placing. John beat 2 people on his 1st leg. I beat 5 people on my 2nd leg. Jacqui beat 28 people on her 3rd leg and Keith beat 31 people on his 4th leg. Great team effort. For full results, please visit:
http://www.marchac.co.uk/HerewardRelay.html
I have witnessed the change of the Hereward Relay. It used to be from the Peterborough Cathedral to the Ely Cathedral. Now it is from the Peterborough Athletic Club to the Ely Football Club. I think I prefer the change based on the toilet and shower facilities in the sports clubs.
No matter how bad the weather is, we will go back next year !!!