Trojan Sqn Running Club – Match Report – Town moor 5K relay race – 10.12.11 by OCdt Heather

The Trojan team were up before the sun (the first time in a while for most considering it was the weekend) to take part in the town moor 5k relay race. Meeting in exhibition park, the team soon found out that at 0800hrs, December mornings in Newcastle are cold, very cold! Unfazed by the extreme conditions, the team talked of the task in hand and more importantly, the need for the A team to above all else beat Northumbria University!

Once everyone had arrived all three Trojan teams (A, B and Girls) were quickly registered with only one minor hitch. OCdt Peters had ‘accidentally’ registered himself as a female by the name of Carlie, which warranted some funny looks from the race staff, especially when the fastest time for a woman was recorded by a 16 stone hairy Yorkshireman.

PTI Bodger kicked things off with a warm up that was less than enthusiastically received by the rest of the team, most of which were, by now, thinking why on earth are they were not still in bed! After the warm up, the runners for the first leg made there way to the start line. First up was OCdt Bodger,OCdt Heather and OCdt Beresford. Instead of the customary ‘on your marks, get set, go!’ we were met by a long, detailed brief of the course which by the end left us so freezing they were begging for the race to begin!

When the race started, competitors began at lightning speed and OCdt Bodger opened up a sizable lead on the rest of the field within seconds. By the time of the first changeover, Trojan A was well in front and on course for victory. At the time when OCdt Featly crossed the finish line on the final leg Trojan A were over 2 minutes in front of the team in second place, and vitally had beaten the Northumbria University contingent. Trojan Girls team also put in an excellent performance winning the woman’s category. Extra merit should be given to OCdt Beresford who after running the first leg of the race then continued to run the following four legs and complete to entire course (5 x the distance she had to run!). OCdt Bodger, who ran the fastest leg for a male, and OCdt Peters, who ran the fastest leg for a female (despite being male).

Thanks to everyone who turned up to compete for the Trojan teams and to the race organisers and marshals who did a great job, especially as they had to be up before any of the runners! The relay victory now makes it two wins out of two for the Trojan runners who are fast gaining a reputation as the hottest team in the north east, the guys to beat, or so we assume...

 Race results (Top 10):

1^st Trojan A 15:34

2^nd Claremont RR 17:43

3^rd Northumbria University 17:52

4^th Trojan B 18:06

5^th Scott Logic 20:44

6^th Trojan Girls 21:36

7^th Gateshead 21:52

8^th Hexham wooden spoons 22:10

9^th Fetch Ed 23:06

10^th Natalie's Team 23:15