Chariots of Fire Relays 2007
By James Kelly
As the sun dawned on the sixteenth staging of the Chariots of Fire Relays, the arrival of the Hare & Hounds teams generated considerable excitement. Greeted with no shortage of envy in the registration tent as the "team to beat," the two sets of six athletes settled about their business in preparation for the relays, an event inspired by 1924 Olympian and Jesus College graduate Sir Arthur Marshall. Sadly, Sir Arthur had passed away in March aged 103, but the 2007 race was undoubtedly a great tribute to his passion for athletics.
The men, out to defend their title, were led off by Lee Harper, who shrugged off the fatigue from training camp and the intimidating pace at the start to bring the team through in 8:35 in a competitive fourth position. Further up the road, the women, also defending champions, were off to an equally strong start behind Helen Mort, who showed that a heavy summer workload had not destroyed her form in any way.
Former Men's Captain Will George took the baton from Harper and set off to prove that a seven-month foot injury would not be able to slow him down. The evidence was entirely convincing, as George brought the team through in equal first position with a sub-8:20 leg split comparable to his performance last year given the extra length of the new-look 2007 course. Sabrina Verjee took up the women's baton and consolidated the team's position in the field with a committed run that exuded calmness in the face of the growing chaos of the race.
George handed off to Aidan Brown, who faced the unpleasant task of a head-to-head with the first of the ringers from Glassworks Gym. Glassworks, perhaps in a bid to boost their profile in the city, had drafted in four athletes from St. Mary's University College.including internationals Andy Vernon and Mike Skinner.in an effort to wrest the title from the Hare & Hounds. The tactic appeared to be working, as Glassworks streaked clear at the fourth exchange despite the strong running of Brown. The women found themselves up against equally strong opposition, with eventual winners Episys-Team Vogel (completing the relay in 63:39), a team dominated by the training partners of Club President Joan Lasenby, streaking clear! Laura Spence ensured that the women faced no threat from the other teams in the race while providing a platform from which the final three legs could attack the lead.
Club Captain Andy Duncan took the fourth leg for the men and continued his progress after late summer knee surgery. Duncan's leg of 8:52 backed up his solid effort over the country at Uttoxeter the previous week, but the Glassworks onslaught had well and truly begun, with the lead having grown to more than 3:30 by the baton exchange. As the field became increasingly congested with runners of all abilities, it fell upon Tabitha Steel to pick her way through the crowds and maintain the momentum of the women's team. Battling through the increasingly warm weather and the accumulated fatigue generated by the start of her PGCE course, Steel duly performed her duties with another solid leg.
James Kelly took over from Duncan with the taunts of the event emcee, who was greatly impressed with the "underdog" Glassworks team, ringing in his ears. He continued his good early-season form with a leg of 7:58, making some inroads into the Glassworks lead. Meanwhile, Women's Captain Harriet Owles looked to build some confidence after a track season interrupted by a serious ankle injury. Her run around the course will surely have done just that, showing that she's very much in a position to lead from the front in the upcoming cross-country season.
Anchorman Owain Bristow is never one to shy away from a challenge, but closing a deficit of outside 1:40 was too much even for him! Nevertheless, a sub-8:30 leg illustrated that speed work put in over the spring continues to pay dividends as he brought the team home in 52:48, trailing the winning Glassworks' time of 50:42. His counterpart on the women's team, Women's Vice Captain (and reigning Varsity champion) Polly Keen was another athlete looking to put injury behind her. She will have been pleased to bring the team home in second place and 68:37, although no doubt will be hoping to go one better in December.
The two Hare & Hounds teams were not the only runners in action, however. A competitive intercollegiate competition raged, with Phil Scard leading Gonville & Caius (59:02) to victory ahead of Fitzwilliam (68:35) and King's (69:35). Other members of the H&H royalty could be seen working on their shorter distance speed, with the enthusiastic support of Club President Joan Lasenby, laid up after foot surgery, particularly welcome.
Despite the disappointment of losing their titles, the Hare & Hounds can certainly view the Chariots of Fire as a good preparation for the upcoming cross-country season. After all, defence of titles in the Varsity Match is the greatest priority of all!