Blackhill Steelworks Relay – 15th May 2024
by Geoff Hewitson
A total of 43 teams took part in this popular mixed team format relay on the site of the former Consett Steelworks. The course is a challenging loop of approximately 2.1 miles with the notorious hill coming near the end. Our Club has enjoyed a great deal of success in this event, having either won it or finished in the top 3 on several occasions. In 2023 we finished 3rd, were runners-up in 2022, and overall winners the previous time it was held (2019). As an “invitation only” event with a limit on the numbers of teams taking part, we were initially limited to a maximum of 5 teams, but managed to get a couple more due to other clubs not taking up their full allocation.
Teams A to D were more or less selected on merit, whilst the intention was to ‘balance’ the remaining teams E, F and G in order to make it a bit more interesting and competitive for those involved (several late withdrawals and substitutions made this more tricky than had originally been the case). Thank you to Gerry H, Chris H, and Alex H who were originally down as reserves but stepped in when needed, and particular thanks to Kimberley C, who hadn’t intended to do this event, but agreed to run at very short notice to ensure that we had complete teams.
Our A team (Joe Addison, Kate Storey, and John Firby) put in a fantastic effort overall, but in the end had to settle for second place behind a very strong team from reigning champions Elvet Striders (37:23). Our B team (Sam Etherington, Jo Raine, and Alex Hird) also secured a highly creditable 5th place finish, whilst the C team of Chris Henderson, Kimberley Clay, and Dean Stockdale finished 9th overall. Three teams in the top 9 in what is always a strong event was yet another outstanding club performance. Everyone else played their part in making it a very successful evening for Crook AC. Our four remaining teams finished 17th, 33rd, 36th and 39th overall – individual results appear later in the summary.
On an individual basis, John Firby recorded the 3rd fastest time on the night (12:04), with Sam Etherington 5th fastest, Alex Hird 7th, Joe Addison 9th, Chris Henderson 13th and Dean Stockdale 19th. Kate Storey was 3rd fastest female and Joanne Raine 5th fastest.
As I mentioned last year, spectating from the top of the hill instead of taking part provides a whole new perspective, and it was truly inspirational to witness at close quarters the amount of effort everyone was putting in. With last year’s winner of the “happiest runner to reach the summit” Gayle Asquith unable to take part through injury, it was a tough call this time around, but I think that Laura Newby just shaded it for managing to maintain her smooth and serene demeanour! Once everyone had finished their run we all headed back to race HQ (Blackhill Comrades Club) for the well earned post-race pies and presentation.
Summary of the results achieved by our teams:
