Race Report: Three Bridges Relay

Wed 24 August 22, Greenwich

Our Ladies and Men’s teams storm home to 3rd year victories after a spectacular night of racing at the annual Bridges Relay.

This year’s event, organised by Stock Exchange AC took place on 24th August. Due to ongoing Covid activities the race was held again at the flat and fast course by the O2 dome instead of the usual route along the Albert Embankment. For those not in the know, it’s a 2.3 mile relay race with teams of 4 x 2.3 miles for Open teams (Men’s & Mixed) and 3 x 2.3 miles for Ladies teams.

Four men’s and three Ladies teams from the club stepped up to the start line on what was a very muggy evening. Cue anxious pacing from me till all the race numbers were handed out. We had a very last minute shuffle with the Men’s A team, with Pete Dyson changing teams to fill a space, and Gareth Evans & Joe Walker changing running order to ensure the A team were on the start line. This left us with a gap in the B team and brilliantly filled with Julian Lepretre running back to back legs.

Amazing performances from all the teams, with the Ladies A team breezing home to 1st place with Lydia Briggs coming in 6th, Clare Hartley-Marjoram 7th and Valerie Wong 10th individually, with Valerie also placing 2nd and 5th Vet. The B team placed 6th and C team 11th and taking 1st Vet.

The Men’s teams placed 1st, 4th, 11th and 20th with Joe taking 1st place and Andrew 2nd place individually with Pete placing 6th. Alex Douglas and Gareth placed 4 & 5th Vet.

Joe Walker started off the Men’s A team, things got tense in the 2nd leg with a missed turn but gained the ground back brilliantly. Andrew “bring it home” Barrington stormed the A team home to victory despite having a London Front Runner hot on his heels at the start of the leg. 

In the Men’s B team Julian’s back to back legs with the swiftest changeover I’ve seen, raised a smile from the organisers and a 24th & 31st individual placing. The consistency medal goes to Patrick Thomas in the C team who ran both legs with a second between them to come 28th & 29th individually.

It was several club members first race with the club and we hope it will be the first of many. A huge thank you to all who ran, and to Valerie, James Hirst & Patrick for running twice ensuring everyone got a chance to run. Not all heroes wear capes but they rock the jade and blue.

Hopefully the race will return one day to it’s previous course and we can experience the excitement of the city streets at speed once again and the atmosphere of the home straight as runners are cheered on from the wall. Of course it’s not about the winning. . (Cottage who?)

Same time next year?!