SEDBERGH SCHOOL RUNNING TEAM SUCCESS AT SHREWSBURY RELAYS

Sedbergh School Running Team took three boys and girls squads to the annual Shrewsbury Relays on Sunday and came away with all the spoils – beating a very strong set of Shrewsbury sides. 

The relays are run in the Shrewsbury Park and are made up of a long, medium and short lap. Boys compete in a team of six and girls in a four.  

Master in charge of Running, Jon Richardson, said: “Joe Bird (E) ran the fastest long leg of the day, with John Campbell (SH) in a close second. George Porter (SH) ran the fastest medium leg of the day and also ran the anchor to bring the 1st boys home first with a 40 second lead on Shrewsbury 1st.

In the blustery conditions, it was amazing to find that both teams had run quicker than last year’s epic race. Will Thomson (W), Fergus MacMillan (SH) and Will Westgarth (SH) (who ran with stitches just out) completed the squad and ran superbly. Fergus was just a couple of seconds outside the fastest time for the short leg.

“In the Girls’ race, Sedbergh led from the front. Mel Sproul (L) ran the fastest short leg and handed over to Josie Coulthard (R) who beat 30 per cent of the boys’ times on the long leg, also running the fastest leg. Josie handed over to Sally Bennett (R) who ran a blistering time to gain the fastest medium leg.

It was at this point the Girls’ team challenged some of the Boys’ teams. It was left to Phoebe Whattoff (R) to run a fast-paced last leg to take the victory by just under two minutes.

Other races were forming nicely behind and after trailing for so long the Seconds caught Shrewsbury Seconds to pip them on the line with Martin Askew (H) running a fine anchor leg.

Ben Van Dijk (H) ran superbly in his debut and was support well by Jamie MacMillan (SH), Fraser Sproul (Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory), Ollie Ward (S) and Will Ballard (SH).

The Boys’ third team was competitive and just managed to beat a strong Shrewsbury 4thteam by 5 seconds with Hugh Hollins (SH), Spencer Bird (E), Charlie Bell (SH) and Marcus Fieldhouse (SH) running well.

The Girls’ second team was only 20 seconds behind Shrewsbury 1st. Maria Page (R) ran an excellent 1st leg followed by Isobelle Page (R) and then Alex Duckitt (L). Alex ran a superb leg and is pushing the first team hard for a place. Captain Charlie Neate (L), who is returning from injury, finished off.