Over 400 runners took part in a series of relay races in Sedgefield last week (1 May). Held in Hardwick Park, the annual Neptune Relays attracted 105 teams of athletes of all ages from around the North East and North Yorkshire. The event was organised by Sedgefield Harriers.

The Neptune Relays event involves teams of four, with each runner tackling a 1.7 mile route in Hardwick Park, starting and finishing in the field below the Temple to Minerva. Athletics clubs from around the region entered teams in categories that include senior and veteran men and women, juniors, and mixed teams. There was also a non-club category.

The senior men’s event was won by New Marske Harriers (Jack Gallagher, Thomas Aspin, Zander Gibbon and Matthew Downs) in a time of 33:58, with Durham City Harriers claiming second place in 34:53 and Elvet Striders third (35:36).

Crook & District AC (Kate Storey, Harriet Lewis, Millie Hewham and Ellie Bradley) won the women’s event for the second year in a row, in 41:33, followed by Durham City Harriers (42:07) and Stockton Striders (42:47). In the V50 men’s race Crook & District AC defended the title in 38:31, and the club also won the V45 women’s race in 50:57.

Crook also won the junior boys’ race in 45:02 and junior girls’ race in 55:10. Aycliffe Running Club won the mixed team race in 42:57 and the non-club race was won by ABC Arrows, also in 42:57. Winners and runners up in the various categories received the traditional Neptune Relays prizes of bags of fruit.

On the night, runners and spectators made donations of food and money to Sedgefield Harriers’ chosen charity, Feeding Families. The Neptune Relays could only be hosted with the support of a large number of volunteers, the team at Hardwick Park, and Durham County Council, which allowed the park to host the event.

For more information, visit the Sedgefield Harriers website.

Image: Sedgefield Harriers