The KTH middle distance squad were in action in the Midland Counties Road Relays at the glorious surrounding of Sutton Park, and despite the murky autumnal weather there were some impressive results from the squad in the typical Winter season opener despite the squad only just resuming training from their summer break.
The opening races were the U13 boys closely followed by the U13 Girls, and two of the stars of the 2014 track season were both in action, Henri Codling & Emily Williams. Henri the team Lead leg and competing for the first time ran a superb race, finishing strongly in 6th position with 14:21 over the tough 3.8km course and clocking the 7th fastest time of the day for U13B. Henri handed over to bottom year U13 Dylan Bowley who also ran a superb leg making two places and clocking 15:04 (17th fastest on the day) to bring the team home in 4th position, the last leg was Ethan Nellis who hung on really well on in his first road relay to bring the team home in a superb 6th position overall with a solid leg of 16:14.
Emily Williams was the opener for the U13 Girls and ran a magnificent leg to bring the team home in 2nd position with a super fast 15:01, the 4th fastest time of the day in the age group and a 45 second PB. Emily handed over to Jennifer Robinson who ran a solid leg of 18:06, a full 1:20 PB, in 9th position, and Jen handed over to younger sister Daisy who also ran a solid leg to bring the team home in a respectable 12th position, and in the process bettering her older sisters time with 17:37 to ensure bragging rights in the Robinson Household.
Next in action were the U15 age groups and both performed well, the Boys all making their debut in the Relays finished in a respectable 17th position and ahead of local rivals Corby AC, with Jake Trent leading the team off with a solid first leg of 13:54 for 14th position, handing over to Thomas Jawad (15:25) who finishing the second leg in 20th place, and the final leg was completed by Josh Owen (15:31) who did well to claw back 3 places. The U15 Girls had a disappointing afternoon finishing in 27th place, with Rebecca Hughes (17:38) finishing in 37th, handing over to Amy Robinson who did well to make 4 places with 17:19, and Sophie Moss running a solid 17:12 to make a further 6 places.
The new look U17 women's team ran superbly to finish in an excellent 6th position (Joint highest position of the day), with bottom year U17 Claudia Nevett taking the lead leg, and running a superb leg to finish in 4th position with a strong 14:46 the 7th fasted leg of the day and a new 45 second PB, handing over to new recruit, Elana Albery making her KTH debut, who ran a terrific second leg of 16:18 dropping just one place to maintain the Harriers prominent position, the final leg was completed by the much improved Hannah Winstone who also ran a strong leg of 17:25 to hang onto 6th position.
The U17 men nearly matched the women with an excellent performance to finish in 8th, in a change to the typical lead leg normally handled by the injured Josh Cara, Jack Hope stepped up to lead the team and brought them home in 8th with a super run of 12:35, 11th fastest of the day and a new PB over the course. jack handed over to debutant George Glinski who ran a fine 2nd leg of 13:45 to only drop a single place and to close down local rival Corby AC 2 places ahead, Ethan Mehmet was the final leg and he ran a superb new PB of 13:33 taking one place and surging ahead of Corby AC to finish in 8th.
The core of the bronze medal winning U17 woman's team were in action in the highly competitive 4 way senior women's race held over the slightly longer distance of 4.3km, and with 90+ teams entered the Harriers would find the first year transition a difficult one! And so it was but despite this the Harriers performed very well with Jess Gordon coming off an excellent track season, took the lead leg and bringing the Harriers home in 32nd position with a solid 17:08 (Fastest leg in the team), handing over to Abigail Coleman, who ran well with 19:24 but her leg in 40th, Fran Ashworth also buoyant from her best ever track season ran well to make up 8 places with a solid 17:49 and handing over to Claudia Kelsell, who had missed all the track season due to injury but despite this she ran a great final leg also making up 8 places to bring the team home in a superb 26th position.
All in all it was a superb winter season opener with some great team and individual performances in all the age groups.
Well done to all who competed.