Test Way Relay 2009

Saturday saw a glorious late-summer day, for the running of the test way relay.

Romsey managed to field a ladies and a mens team. The ladies race got under way at 10:30 from Inkpen Beacon. Romsey got off to a steady start and were trailing the field after the first two legs, Jane Carter and Amanda Hull then injected some pace and the team climbed to 6^th place. Hannah Knowles put an excellent penultimate leg to allow Gill Callus to anchor the team home in a very respectable time of 6hr53min55seconds in 6^th place. It was no surprise the Winchester ladies retained their crown.

The men’s race started an hour later. Greg Roulston got the chaps underway and finished leg 1 with team in 11^th place, very impressive given Greg had only filled in with two days notice and didn’t know the route! Andrew Archibald managed to overtake Gosport on leg 2. Romsey lost a place on 6, but Matt Hammerton gained this back and a further 2 places (Itchen & Halterworth) on the local Mottisfont to Romsey leg 7. Matt handed over to Jimmy Hunt who gained yet another place, passing Wessex, whilst winning his stage of the race. Ali Longworth anchored the team home in a time of 5hr25:43 in 7^th place (of 12). Southampton Running club led the race from start to finish.