Race Date: Saturday 11th April 2026
After qualifying for the National Finals at the Northern Championships two weeks earlier Steel City were out in force again as sole representatives for the City of Sheffield at this prestigious event. A headache for the team managers however with existing priorities such as impending marathons reducing options. In the end enough stepped forward to fill a coach with two teams of six women and a team of twelve men plus resident photographer.
With about 60 metres of climb over its 5.434km the Sutton Park course is challenging with a blustery wind contributing to the difficult conditions. Unlike the Northern’s, there’s no long leg with everyone completing the same distance. The final, uphill 100m, was unwelcome coming just after a sharp right hand turn.
All smiles and well wrapped up on a sunny but windy afternoon.
Special mention to Hannah Murton who still ran with sore ribs and grazes sustained a few days beforehand with a cracking run from Helen Roberts on the final leg passing four women to push Steel City into the top twenty. One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to see Jake Wightman run. Put on second leg by his club Edinburgh AC he had fun chasing down the field, including Naeem Stevens, taking his team from 51st to 35th position although unable to catch Yasmine Chaffer running first leg for the Steel City B Team. When questioned about the event, responses seemed to focus on how nice the chips were and Emily Green’s banana cake which goes to show what a fun day out this can be.
Although he managed to pip Jakob Ingebrigtsen for gold at the World Championships back in 2022, Jake Wightman was unable to get the better of Yasmine Chaffer. (Byers)
Steel City Striders Women A
| Leg | Pos | Name | Time | Total Time | 5km Equivalent |
| Leg 1 | 23 | Leanne Muscroft | 20:11 | 00:20:11 | 18:36 |
| Leg 2 | 23 | Naomi Tuckett | 20:50 | 00:41:01 | 19:12 |
| Leg 3 | 24 | Sarah-Jane Brown | 21:48 | 01:02:50 | 20:06 |
| Leg 4 | 24 | Bethan Varney | 22:06 | 01:24:57 | 20:22 |
| Leg 5 | 21 | Leah Epton | 21:27 | 01:46:24 | 19:46 |
| Leg 6 | 17 | Helen Roberts | 21:10 | 02:07:35 | 19:31 |
Steel City Striders Women B
| Leg | Pos | Name | Time | Total Time | 5km Equivalent |
| Leg 1 | 42 | Yasmine Chaffer | 22:36 | 00:22:36 | 20:50 |
| Leg 2 | 47 | Sophie Green | 26:50 | 00:49:27 | 24:44 |
| Leg 3 | 44 | Emily Green | 22:55 | 01:12:23 | 21:08 |
| Leg 4 | 38 | Ellen Broad | 22:00 | 01:34:23 | 20:17 |
| Leg 5 | 37 | Kate Scott | 25:40 | 02:00:04 | 23:40 |
| Leg 6 | 37 | Hannah Murton | 27:03 | 02:27:07 | 24:56 |
First were Belgrave Harriers with a total time of 01:52:55 with fastest leg from Charlotte Taylor (Bristol & West) 17:53
Link to full results ERRA National Women’s Six Stage Relay 2026
Proving what a fun event this is, Rob Byers’ camera catches Patrick Lewis throwing up after bringing home Steel City on the mass start glory leg.
Steel City Striders Men
| Leg | Pos | Name | Time | Total Time | 5km Equivalent |
| Leg 1 | 47 | Seth Kirby | 17:48 | 00:17:48 | 16:25 |
| Leg 2 | 50 | Naeem Stevens | 18:51 | 00:36:39 | 17:23 |
| Leg 3 | 52 | Steven Cahill | 19:54 | 00:56:34 | 18:21 |
| Leg 4 | 52 | Edward Shattock | 19:49 | 01:16:23 | 18:16 |
| Leg 5 | 54 | Neil Schofield | 22:09 | 01:38:33 | 20:25 |
| Leg 6 | 53 | Richard Rothwell | 20:26 | 01:58:59 | 18:50 |
| Leg 7 | 51 | Robert Cook | 19:41 | 02:18:41 | 18:09 |
| Leg 8 | 51 | Samuel Doyle | 20:18 | 02:39:00 | 18:43 |
| Leg 9 | 50 | Malcolm Baggaley | 20:34 | 02:59:35 | 18:58 |
| Leg 10 | 50 | Jamie Lee | 20:34 | 03:20:09 | 18:58 |
| Leg 11 | 51 | Ed McGee | 21:45 | 03:41:54 | 20:03 |
| Leg 12 | 54 | Patrick Lewis | 21:59 | 04:03:53 | 20:16 |
Winners were Bristol and West AC with a total time of 03:16:49. Fastest leg from James Kingston (Tonbridge) 15:19
Link to full results ERRA National Men’s Twelve Stage Relay 2026
In there somewhere is Seth Kirby who ran Steel City’s fastest leg on the day. The men started at 12:00 with the women going off at 12:15. Fastest of the club’s women was Leanne Muscroft, also on first leg.