Green Belt Relay

Runner in Hyde Park

‘fantastic’, ‘excellent’, ‘a wonderful way for slower/newer club members to take part in the same event as the fast people and get to know them’, ‘great team support and camaraderie’. A (paraphrased) selection of the comments and emails I’ve had today following this weekend’s annual Green Belt Relay. 44 Serpie runners (plus two supporters and one alpine cowbell) raced from Hampton Court to Ham the long way round via Staines, the Chilterns, St. Albans, Epping Forest, Dartford, the North Downs, Box Hill and all points in between. 220 miles, 4 teams of 11 and 4 minibuses. Everyone had a great time and I’m fairly certain everyone is feeling a bit tired today after an average of 20 miles each. Some of us ran 23 miles in 2 days, much of it off-road.

So, how did we do? There were 28 teams racing and our men’s team came 2nd overall (for the 2nd year running) and our women’s team won the ladies race. The overall winners were Stock Exchange AC. Our women’s team also won the ‘Queen of the Mountains’ award for the best time over the 4 mountain stages (believe me, there are some serious hill just outside London). Our two mixed teams came 16th and 21st.

We had quite a few stage wins:

Leg 2: Hugh Torry
Leg 3: Eric Phillips
Leg 4: Andrew Reeves
Leg 5: Vikki Stringer
Leg 6: Claire Imrie
Leg 8: Helen Zenner
Leg 12: Simon Barrett
Leg 13:Eric Phillips
Leg 14: Louisa Ruderman
Leg 15: Vikki Stringer
Leg 17: Andrew Reeves

There were quite a few 2nd and 3rd places as well – all in all a good set of results! You can browse the full results for each stage on the GBR website: http://www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk/2007_results.htm

I’d like to thank all the drivers who helped to get our teams around the course; Florian for sorting out the minibuses and Sally and Brent for giving up their weekend to help and support (although I suspect they enjoyed themselves as much as the runners!)

Next year’s relay will be in May 2008. Probably the same weekend so put the date in your diary now.

Further info.

Responses