Race Date: Sunday 30th March 2025
Comprehensive race report from Emily Green.
Make yourself comfy
Sit down with a beverage of your choosing and a cheeky snack to enjoy this in depth report of the Northern Relays 2025 from the mouths of those that witnessed it first hand and hoping that, if you haven’t before, you will consider signing up for future relays as they truly are the best way to race. There is nothing more special than having to go through three false finishes with a cheer squad at each imploring you to keep going when all you can think about is when will this ever end and who on earth made a finish so confusing. More of this later…
A year in the making
Let’s start at the beginning. The project to qualify the men for the Nationals was first mentioned on 23rd March 2024 just after the previous year’s event in Wythenshaw. Due to various road closures the teams were hit with lots of last minute changes and resulted in not everyone being happy with their performance, some arriving just before they were due to start. Naeem and Rob declared they would set the target to qualify a team for the Nationals next year and rally the troops and along side Malcolm they did just that. Over the next twelve months regular reminders about the relays were given on both Tuesday nights and Thursday track nights and even during the Christmas track event where anyone who was seen to receive a prize had to commit to the relays in the process.
Hannah Shillitoe checking her pace.
Preparation is everything
Sign up for the event started in the new year once the date was confirmed and Malcolm spent most of the last three months identifying new members who might be a great addition to the squad but unaware that the were relays coming up. However, like every race, sometimes illness/injury are inevitable and it was important to plan for this with some additional reserves entered when registering. One of the greatest things about this club is its strength in depth being developed because of training sessions like track night on Thursday. For every team entered up to thirty six names can be put forward before the deadline one week before the event. Due to illness, Neil Schofield was pulled in at the last minute and despite voicing his concerns about letting the team down, we all knew him and his tiny green shorts were up to the challenge. Malcolm also planned how to avoid us having the same issues in Wythenshaw and organised a party bus to take 22 (then 21 with a last minute travel plan change) up to the North East coast. Speaking of our destination, apparently Redcar is not pronounced as might be expected but speak to our resident Geordie about this. Meeting at 8am in Sheffield and arriving just before 11am with a stop enroute all was perfectly planned and executed arriving in plenty of time.
Location
The president’s address to set the scene…
“I welcome you to Redcar for our 2025 12 & 6 stage Road Relay Championship. This is the third time we have returned to Redcar and I hope the weather is kinder to us today because when we were here two years ago it was very misty with a heavy sea fret.”
If this wasn’t a big enough clue as to how a relatively flat out and back could be so horrific, the Redcar Wind Farm was perhaps the second clue as to the expected conditions. In Yas’s words, “Any race held against the backdrop of an offshore wind farm is doomed from the start.” The third clue, being fully exposed on the edge of the North East coast…See this Link to Northern Athletics Facebook group for some visual representation. Did you spot the Steel City banner?
Warm up
Three teams were entered, one 12 stage men’s team and two 6 stage women’s teams. There was a little confusion due to different times noted for the start time of the women’s race with it ranging from 12:10-12:15. As the men’s race started at 12.00, the first leg runners for the three teams went out on the allocated warm up strip (literally running next to the beach) to assess the challenge of the weather. Running out (SE direction) there were no concerns but the return felt like being targeted by a sand blaster. In between strides the discussion was about strategies on how to deal with two out and backs required on the long leg. Consensus was to find a group and share the workload with them.
Careful with those carbon fibres. With two out and backs there are three hairpins on the 10k leg.
Game time
Rob set off in the men’s race at 12 noon and the nerves started to build as the wind picked up for the women’s start. Emily and Annie were set to start for their respective teams at 12:10 and called into the pen shortly after the start of the men’s race. The field started to assemble and it was nice to see some other local South Yorkshire teams (SRC and Rotherham). There were a few comments about could they change the course to four outs with a bus back to the start in between to avoid the inevitable pain of the headwind but all talk was cut short as with a bang they were off.
This lurid account from Emily sums up the day for many.
“Yes, I went off too quick, especially when I glanced at my watch and saw 3:40 about half a km in and knew I needed to settle. In my defence, it was slightly downhill and I had a tailwind but I soon settled into my rhythm seeing Annie go off ahead, I knew I was about where I should be and settled into running with a group of girls for the first out leg, overtaking a few on the way. The great thing about an out and back course is you get the SCS cheer squad on multiple occasions, the down side is you have marker flags at different points for when you’re on either the first time around or the 2nd time around which play with your head when your focusing on getting to the next km! However the first out was pretty uneventful and as I saw some of the front runners coming back the other way, I was pleasantly surprised to see I wasn’t as far back as I thought I would have been. Turning the first hairpin bend with a group of three it was then that the wind hit. It practically knocked you off your feet as you went from running with a tail wind to running into an almighty headwind. I had seen Rob on his way back for the first time running with a good group and noticed how they seemed to be gliding and used this knowledge to focus on remaining with the group I was with. We started on the first back and I spotted we were gathering runners up as we moved along. Here was my first new skill I had to learn quickly, running in a group. You have to monitor everyone’s stride pattern, length of stride and even how much spatial awareness they have as the best spot was right in the middle but get a foot wrong and you’d go tumbling. This first back, I felt strong from half way but knew there was no point pushing on alone yet as the effort needed to battle the headwind wouldn’t help me later on so I stuck to the group pace and as soon as I heard the SCS cheer squad at the turn around for round two, I knew that was my moment.
I felt strong, pushed on and set about chasing the next group down before the final back and the inevitable headwind. I caught up the first few quite quickly and then got to the Rotherham Harrier. I suggested we pushed on together to get to the North Derbyshire athlete but she didn’t keep up when I increased the pace and I knew I could go faster so I pushed for the Red and Yellow vest before the turn which was fast approaching. This came a little too quickly and I still had a little distance to close but knew, she would slow slightly due to the headwind so if I put a little more effort in, I could shelter behind her to recover a bit before I could take my turn at the front. The plan worked and I was right behind her in no time and once recovered, I went ahead and then signalled for her to tuck in behind and there the beauty of racing was shown as we worked together with little indication to swap every 250m to give the other a recovery and push us closer to the next girls down the road. The plan worked and the 9km flag came and up ahead I could see the finish (or what I thought was the finish) turns out there were three false finishes and whilst I didn’t stop (others were less fortunate) I do wonder why organisers didn’t think this would be an issue for runners who have drained every last ounce of energy for their team. (Editor: If possible, always have a look at the course in advance to find out where the finish is). I’ve always look ahead at the other runners to see when they slow down and luckily this meant I knew that I wasn’t there yet and no that was another false finish line and it was actually the third line about 300m further that I needed to get to. Hearing the SCS cheer squad scream at the top of their lungs every encouragement going was the added incentive and boost I needed and I channelled my final 400m rep energy at Woodbourne Road and drove my knees up and pushed my feet into the ground. Giving every last bit of energy to the wind. Crossing the line in 38:42, I’d planned around 40 minutes, I was handing over to Hannah and knew I’d gone quicker due to the fact that both Annie and Rob were still in the finish zone and Steve, who was on the second 5k leg for the Men, never caught me. A little victory for me and added motivation to run a little quicker.”
Banter whilst others look out for the next team member. Wrap up nice and warm.
You are only as strong as every member of the team
Relays however aren’t about individual performances and it all comes down to how you perform as a collective. They’re so good as there’s the chance to natter and spend the rest of the day cheering on the other twenty three leaving everything on the Redcar out and back and refusing to let the NE wind destroy the men’s chances of qualifying for Nationals. The women automatically qualify for the Nationals due to smaller numbers taking place at the three qualifying events (North, Midlands and South) however the men had to be in the top 25 A teams and so began the frantic checking of our placings after every change over. As Steve Cahill noted, ‘The live results were certainly a great feature.’
Being by the sea Sarah-Jane was up for a post race ice bath asking “Did anyone else bring their swimming trunks?”
Other options taken up included the only Fish and Chip shop that was open. Caroline asked “did the people of Redcar only train in one direction?” to which Yas explained “No, they don’t, once they realise that it’s too awful they decide that queuing outside the only chippy for two hours is a better use of their weekend.”
Others went more European, finding the cafe that sold only lemon or vanilla ice cream and combined with a shot of espresso to make an affogato post-race snack but the most popular choice was Kathy’s tupperewared supply of baked goodies including chocolate tiffin without the fruity bits because “why would you put fruit in a chocolate and biscuit treat when you don’t like them” and also her amazing maple and pecan flapjacks!
To illustrate how amazing the day was and why you should sign up for the next relays, here are some quotes from our first timers. There really is something special about pulling on the green and gold at a relay event:
Leah: “It was great to compete for striders for the first time and everyone was really welcoming. So much fun, topped off with a PB!” A sub 20 minute 5k for Leah.
Alex: “Having never done a relay event, it helped to have the pressure of running for the team as well as wanting to do it for myself.”
Cadan: “… Proper competitive race so good to reel in a couple of people and so much respect for those doing the 10k legs facing the wind twice…”
The cheer squad were amazing…
Caroline: “The cheer squad by the start/finish was amazing.”
Rob: “Striders have been known to congregate in large crowds at the side of races making howling noises at passing runners.”
Neil: “Agreed, it was amazing to see a grin develop over the runner’s face when nearing the cheer squad, and then replaced by a steely determination to get the job done.”
Oh and from the relay veterans:
Kathy: “A great way to avoid childcare on Mother’s Day.”
Annie and Laura agreed: “A great day out, minus the running bit”
Naeem reflected later: ‘Was such a fab day out. Having a complete men’s team of twelve and two complete women’s teams is a testament to the training everyone’s been doing at the club such as healthy consistent numbers at Thursday’s track from Mike Theobald’s group but more notably from Malcolm’s group, providing an inclusive track option for those who don’t feel comfortable/aren’t able to make it in time to train with the earlier groups. Or, even introducing sessions to those who’ve never done interval training before. Talent is definitely filtering through to competitive club events now with huge strength in depth. Hope those who did the Road Relays for the first time yesterday enjoyed it. Such a competitive event, but anyone can do it! We surely get the award for the loudest support support on course.”
And in the end…
The women’s A team absolutely smashed it finishing in 8th place overall!
It also became apparent, well for those using the live results, that the women’s B team were on course to be first B team and a quick check of the programme revealed a chance at a medal, an added bonus to an already brilliant day! Everyone was a little unsure as to whether it would come to fruition and still unsure as they were called to the registration area as they began to present the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and there was no sign of the top B team award. But ‘top B team’ medals were presented and yes Emily did have a fan girl moment as Tanni Grey Thompson presented the medals. The B team actually finished in 14th place.
Due to the men’s race being 12 stages it went on a bit longer and just before 4pm an announcement was made to say a mass start would happen after 4pm. With two still to go our tenth leg runner came in before the mass start but our eleventh man (Ed) was held back a minute or two to join the mass start. Ed and Alex therefore set off together at around 4:10. With cheer squad backing big things were coming and two massive PBs later, the team were packing up ready to get back on the bus with no idea if the men had done enough but the general feeling was a positive one.
The journey back was filled with a positive buzz that only relays bring and after a good 20/30 minutes of refreshing the results it was clear that the men had finished joint 27th and with three B teams ahead there was the chance to do it all again in a couple of weeks.
The A team finished a splendid eighth.
And now over to our leader on the day
A final comment from one of our club captains, Malcolm, who worked tirelessly to get everyone to commit and get them to the start line on time: “It was pretty clear that everyone on the team was pretty well drained when they crossed the line. Whether individuals thought they ran well or not, what we know for sure is everyone gave it everything they had and did what they could on the day. Oh, and Emily fangirling over Dame Tanni while picking up her winner’s medal was an experience.”
Women’s Six Stage Relay 5k and 10k (actually about 9500m)
First Leeds City AC 2:12:44. Fastest Leg Jennifer Walsh (Leeds) 34:22 and Faye O’Hare (Liverpool H) 17:02. Fastest legs by the Steel City women were from Annie Chambers 36:58 and Gillian Allen 19:38. (Editor: Those running in isolation on the later legs had a tougher time of it when trying to deal with the wind.)
Steel City Striders Women A
| Leg | Name | Time | Total Time | Pos |
| Leg 1 | Annie Chambers | 36:58 | 00:36:58 | 9 |
| Leg 2 | Kathryn Liddiard | 20:17 | 00:57:15 | 11 |
| Leg 3 | Yasmine Chaffer | 21:05 | 01:18:21 | 11 |
| Leg 4 | Caroline Brock | 38:56 | 01:57:18 | 9 |
| Leg 5 | Leah Epton | 19:59 | 02:17:17 | 9 |
| Leg 6 | Gillian Allen | 19:38 | 02:36:55 | 8 |
Steel City Striders Women B
| Leg | Name | Time | Total Time | Posn |
| Leg 1 | Emily Green | 38:42 | 00:38:42 | 14 |
| Leg 2 | Hannah Shillitoe | 20:15 | 00:58:58 | 13 |
| Leg 3 | Hannah Basu | 20:42 | 01:19:40 | 13 |
| Leg 4 | Bethan Varney | 42:00 | 02:01:41 | 15 |
| Leg 5 | Laura Mella | 21:21 | 02:23:02 | 15 |
| Leg 6 | Sarah Jane Brown | 20:44 | 02:43:47 | 14 |
Steel City getting their medals from Dame Tanni as the fastest Women’s B Team
Men’s Twelve Stage Relay
First Salford Harriers and AC “A” 4:02:52. Fastest short leg Harry Wakefield (Salford) 14:48, fastest long leg Richard Allen (Leeds) 28:18. Fastest of the Steel City men were Steven Cahill 17:31 and Rob Byers 32:29.
Steel City Striders Men
| Leg | Name | Time | Total Time | Pos |
| Leg 1 | Robert Byers | 32:29 | 00:32:29 | 23 |
| Leg 2 | Steven Cahill | 17:31 | 00:50:01 | 20 |
| Leg 3 | Richard Millier | 35:43 | 01:25:45 | 29 |
| Leg 4 | Cadan Hoare | 18:25 | 01:44:10 | 28 |
| Leg 5 | Naeem Stevens | 33:13 | 02:17:23 | 24 |
| Leg 6 | Malcolm Baggaley | 19:16 | 02:36:39 | 28 |
| Leg 7 | Ben Naisbitt | 33:05 | 03:09:45 | 25 |
| Leg 8 | Neil Schofield | 19:57 | 03:29:43 | 27 |
| Leg 9 | Pierre Mccarthy | 18:38 | 03:48:21 | 26 |
| Leg 10 | Ross Baxter | 19:10 | 04:07:32 | 26 |
| Leg 11 | Edward Shattock | 18:08 | 04:25:40 | 27 |
| Leg 12 | Alex Ball | 17:49 | 04:43:29 | 27 |
Full Results Northern Six and Twelve Stage Relays 2025 Redcar
Caption Competition: Who took the photograph?