ONCE again, Vale Royal Athletics Club’s under 15s proved unstoppable on the road.
They claimed a clean sweep in the Northern Road Relays in Manchester in another stunning performance, which came just a week after dominating the north west competition in Sefton.
With gold medals won in the boys and girls races, things are looking good for next month’s National Road Relays.
For the boys, Dylan Carney opened up with the first of three 3,100m legs before handing over to Jake Wilson with the team in ninth place.
By the time Patrick Griffith took over, Vale Royal were in second place and they eventually beat nearest rivals North Shields by almost 30 seconds, with Wilson’s leg being the second fastest overall.
The top two fastest legs in the girls’ race were both Vale Royal runners, with Holly Weedall taking first and Grace Roberts second as they teamed up with Hope Smith to pick up a dominant win.
Smith’s first leg was the ninth fastest overall as Vale Royal finished almost two minutes ahead of second-placed Chorley.
The National Road Relays take place in Sutton Coldfield on Sunday, October 6.
The second under 15s girls’ team of Ellie Bushill, Ellie Hudson and Isobel Ashcroft were the first “B” team to cross the line as they finished ninth overall.
The entire Vale Royal Athletics Club under 15s team from the Northern Road Relays
Unfortunately, Vale’s under 17s men were cruelly denied a medal as Sam Stephens was tripped and fell at the start of the first 3,700m leg.
The team were playing catch-up from then and despite Stephens, Ed Pettitt and Raif Serif all running strongly – the latter's leg was fourth-fastest overall –they finished 18 seconds shy of third place.
Vale fielded two teams in the senior men’s race, with both qualifying for the national event.
The “A” team of Chris Perry, Alex Doyle, Matt Rowlinson, Arun Dight, John Humphries and Andy Miles finished eighth – the club’s best ever Northern Road Relays finish in this age group.
Ryan Moore, Cameron Weaver, Aaron Doyle, Josh Betteley, Chris Jones and Stuart Doyle formed the “B” team and came home in 30th place.
In the senior women’s race, Vale’s “A” team of Liz Renondeau, Holly Smith, Amelia Pettitt and Sarah Murphy were in contention for a medal but eventually came home fifth.
Chloe Dooley, Sophie Smith, Hollie Carrington and Melanie Johnson came 13th as the “B” team while the “C” team of Clara Pettit, Sharon Wilson, Liz Gale and Jeanette Pope placed 43rd.
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