NECAA Signal/Road Relays, 14th March 2026

After last month’s unavoidable cancellation, Clare Jeffray, one of our newest members, reports from the Royal Signals relays at Hetton Lyons Country Park:

“A slightly warmer, or at least less icy day presented itself. Though fewer people were available for the rescheduled running, CRR presented two ladies teams of 4 and one gents team of 6.

Following a WhatsApp shoutout from Lena, Steph and I went to assist in retrieving the tent and flag from her car. We found a good spot on the inside of the track and met with Sarah, who had registered our teams and brought our numbers. Despite a suggestion that a man was needed for tent constructions, Tara’s prior knowledge had us sorted with our bag and cake shelter. As the rest of the ladies and some of the gents arrived, a quality distraction was provided by a trio of Alpacas being paraded around the start of the course.

As it was my first experience of a relay, the team provided a great explanation of how it worked and each of us did our own form of warm up. The ladies set off right on time with Sarah and Tara taking on the first leg for the senior and masters womens races respectively. Two 1.1 miles laps were completed with some serious CRR support provided on the way past the tent. Catherine and Steph then took the virtual baton to sprint off for the second leg. Fine performances were laid down and they handed over to Lena and myself.

The lap is undulating with a flat start that leads into an incline section before just enough respite to make it up the slight sting in the tail, before an encouraging downhill section to take you over the start/finish line. The sunshine and the lovely setting of the park certainly helped take the edge of the early inclines.

Knowing what was to come helps the mindset for the second lap, especially knowing where you can push a bit. That said, I was still pleased to see the finish funnel! Aoife had already set off on the final leg for the senior women and I was pleased to see Sarah ready to set off following the instruction from the marshal as I crossed the line.

Results are live to view on the day and we were very pleased to find that the senior ladies teams finished in 5th place out of 17 and the Masters Women had come 6th out of 16, great job done ladies.

As we tucked in to the goodies that were brought by the team, we awaited the start of the gents relay. A minute’s silence in memory of Kevin Carr, past president of NECAA, Northern Athletics, ECC and Sunderland H&AC was respectfully observed by all present.

The start of the senior mens relay saw some serious game faces and a blur of runners passed the CRR tent. For the CRR team, the first leg was represented by Harry. Though somewhat worse for wear, he managed to keep his breakfast down and kick on for a great first leg. Roberto Marzo then took the gents second leg with the Italian flag on his CRR vest positively flying off the start.

Dean represented the third leg, Alex the fourth and Mark the fifth, all putting in a fabulous effort. There was absolutely no catching the leading team though as Middlesbrough (Mandale) AC had all 6 around in 67:20. For CRR the final flurry was taken on by Sonam, who despite doing some serious warming up brought the gents team home in a very respectable 16th out of the 22 mens teams that finished.

The last snacks were had, the tent and flag dismantled, bagged up and sent off with Mark ready for the Cross Country at Eltringham Farm the following Saturday, and the last of us made our way back to the car park for the drive home.

For a first “toe dipping” into a team even this was a great experience. There was a brilliant team vibe with the various different clubs supporting each other throughout the day. The organisation seemed to be good and the setting was fabulous, helped by good parking, loos and a café and topped off by us finally having some sunshine! I can definitely recommend having a go at doing a leg of a relay as it certainly is a different running experience and also provides the opportunity to get to know more members of the club as other legs are being run.

On one final note, I thank all of those that wore CRR branded hoodies etc as for a relative newbie to the club, it makes your teammates much easier to find… speaking of which, I need to get myself some more CRR merch!”

Women
Position	Runner	Time
6	Sarah Kerr Catherine Young Lena Lou Aoífe Monaghan Team Time:	14:22 14:29 15:50 15:10 59:51
14	Tara Hipwood Steph Towers Clare Jeffray Sarah Williamson Team Time:	16:56 16:46 17:29 17:48 69:21 (5th Masters)

Men
Position	Runner	Time
16	Harry Mawdsley Roberto Marzo Dean O’Brien Alex Taylor Mark Flynn Sonam Wangdi Team Time:	12:06 14:15 15:50 13:39 15:49 13:44 85:23