XCR ROUND 5

Doncaster Newsletter 

XCR Round 5 – 28/06/25 – Sandown Road Relays 

Twenty-five DAC distance athletes took on this second relay round of the season.   Junior athletes ran one 3.1km lap of the raceway, whilst Open and Overage athletes ran 2 laps.  The sun made an appearance, and we enjoyed almost perfect conditions – cold, and just a moderate breeze, compared with the gales that can sometimes hamper us at Sandown.  Six DAC teams came up against some tough opposition.  

This round saw several athletes step up to greater challenges.  Twelve-year-old Anna Firth completed an U18 boys’ team, and for her it was “All in a day’s work”.  She was the only Junior female athlete this round, out there with Mum, Natalie Harvey.  A number of Masters athletes ran in Open Age teams and outdid themselves – great job to Shawn Ko, Natalie Harvey, Lydia Rinaudo and Kath Gawthorn.  We also welcomed invitees Phil Ratcliffe and Rick Muratovic, who both had an excellent outing.  The U18 boys’ team of Joel Denny, Alfie Onley and Harry Maddocks fared best, again finishing with a podium placing (2nd).   

Our Winter Co-ordinator, Matt Christy, took the difficult role of sixth runner out there in the Div 2 men’s 6 x 6.2km event.  Other age groups and divisions have fewer runners and shorter legs, so being out there when many others have already finished, are seen enjoying a Cheer cheese sandwich and then leaving isn’t easy.   Thank you to Matt who also brought along post-run snacks – we have ourselves a true Leader!   

Harry Maddocks was the quickest Junior male, John Portwood quickest in Open age, and Tim Denny ran an excellent 22:18 in 40+.  Harry was equal quickest U18 male at the meet, Joel Denny 6th quickest, and Alfie Onley 9th quickest.  What a team!   Special mention to David Vaughan (M55-59) – 24:27. Among the women, hats off to Anita Finch who was the only Open Age athlete running.  She is recovering from illness but led the Div 2 team off in earnest.   Natalie Harvey was the quickest of the DAC Masters women (27:08) and 4th quickest among women 50-54 at the event.  Lydia Rinaudo wasn’t far behind her – 27:22, and 8th quickest among Women 40-44 at the event.   

All results are provided below, with more detail available at Resultshub (Results Hub)