Hetton Royal Signals Relays – Kieron Day
The historic ‘Signals Relays’ event held at Hetton Lyons Country Park on Saturday 18th February, was a fantastic day for athletes and spectators alike. A total of 46 Crook athletes, including some of our newest members (some of which were sporting the vest for the first time), took part in this exhilarating road race, which also incorporated the NECAA Road Relays Championships.
Despite this ‘road race’ being traffic-free, it was far from an easy ride, with its fast but challenging layout. Each runner was required to complete 2 laps, covering a total distance of 2.2 miles, which demanded incredible stamina and determination from each participant. The event was also made all the more special by the support of our running club members’ children, who cheered everyone on from the sidelines and served as the club’s enthusiastic mascots.
The competition started with the Senior and Vet Women, along with the M50 Vet Men, all combined into one race. Crook AC was very well represented in this race, with an impressive seven teams in total, including a senior women’s team, three Vet Women’s Teams, and three M50 Vets Men’s teams.
The atmosphere was absolutely electric on ‘Crook Corner’ as the sea of yellow and red vests burst onto the scene, racing past the spectators at breakneck speed. The M50 (A) team unfortunately narrowly missed out on a podium spot, but the fantastic performances from all of the teams left a lasting impression on the crowd.
The excitement continued in the second race, where two senior men’s teams competed alongside the M40 men’s lineup. However, the race wasn’t without its fair share of drama. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the men’s Sen B team found themselves without a runner for their fifth leg. However, Darren F who had already completed a parkrun that morning, heroically put down his camera, cobbled together a racing outfit and stepped in at the last minute to save the day.
Overall, the Signals Relays was a resounding success, highlighting the power of teamwork and dedication, as athletes from all age groups and abilities came together to push themselves to the limit. Congratulations to all the athletes who took part in the event, you are all champions in our eyes!
