King's Lynn Triathlon Club

Last weekend saw twelve triathletes and runners competing at the Hereward relays

Pictured from back row from the left are Nicola Kennedy, Richard Kennedy, Paul Keaney, Jason Blackwell, Ian Webster. Front row from left Debbie James, Juliette Meek, Geraldine ‘G’ Jordan

On a cold and blustery but sunny, storm-beaten November Sunday morning King's Lynn Tri-Club entered 3 teams of 4 triathletes and runners in the March A/C Hereward Relay. Present on the day was a combination of KLTC members and the family of the club members. Geraldine ‘G’ Jordan with son Paul Keaney, Debbie James, Chris Playford (standing in for Karen Wood), Arthur Sargeant and son Tom Sargeant, Juliette Meek, Jason Blackwell, Andy Smith, Ian Webster, Richard Kennedy, with wife Nicola Kennedy all took part.

The Hereward Relay is a multi-terrain club relay event, hosted by March Athletic Club, and was first run in 1998 when 14 teams took part and has since grown with as many as 117 teams taking part in 2018! The race starts in Peterborough and follows (as far as possible) the Hereward Way for over 39 miles to Ely crossing over bridleways, fields, bridges, and tracks. Relay teams consist of four members who each run one stage.

Flooding and adverse weather caused the 2019 event to be cancelled and due to recent covid restrictions, this is the first Hereward Relay since 2018. A total of 92 teams took part this year.

Runners were faced with high winds, gravel, and thick sole sticking mud during certain parts of the course, which led to lightweight trainers feeling like lead boots over the many miles ran.

A.Smith A.Seargant.T.Seargant.C.Playford3 From top left clockwise- A.Sergeant - T.Seargent - C.Playford -A.Smith

The course consisted of the following routes

Stage 1: Starting at the Peterborough Athletics track to Whittlesey 6.9m (11.1km)

Stage 2: Whittlesey to March 10.5 miles (16.8km)

Stage 3: March to Welney 11.5 (18.5km)

Stage 4: Welney to Ely football club 10.9 (17.5km)

Results on the day were,

KLTC team A - C.Playford stage 1 - 59:10, T.Sargeant stage 2 - 01:38:50, P.Keaney stage 3 - 01:13:3, N.Kennedy stage 4 - 01:25:05.

KLTC team B - D.James stage 1 - 51:59, A.Sargeant stage 2 - 01:41:11, A.Smith stage 3 - 01:33:34, R.Kennedy stage 4 - 01:17:03.

KLTC team C - ‘G’ Jordan stage 1 - 51:25, J.Meek Stage 2 - 01:55:35,J.Blackwell stage 3 - 01:30:29, I.Webster stage 4 - 01:34:55.

Stage 2 runner A.Sargeant explains

''Well, today was the calm after the storm. Stunningly beautiful day, cold at the start but perfect once on the run and warmed up. Leg 2 was just a brilliant course! it had everything that a cross country should have. Wind in places, mud with mud clods on your running shoes, gravely bits, long grass bits, head, side, and back wind, just loved it and enjoyed it so much! Big shout out to Maureen for pulling it all together, March RC for putting on a fabulous event, and KLTC for just being the best team ever!

He also mentioned how special it was running with his son, who 4 years ago was after uni life, was 23 stone! He has got into triathlon, done his first half distance at Holkham in the summer, and plans to follow in his father's footsteps and compete in the full Outlaw next year!

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