Top medal runs from Mark and Chris

0 - 0 • Published 22 Apr 2009 12:30

INVERCLYDE athletes Mark Pollard and Chris Mackay struck gold and silver respectively while running for their English clubs in the UK Road Relay Championships.

Following on from their bronze medal won while competing together for Inverclyde AC at the recent Scottish National Road Relays, this was a superb achievement by the local men.

Chris was running for Newham & Essex, with Mark competing for Belgrave.

Always a great occcasion, this event took place at Sutton Park, Birmingham, the regular venue for these championships.

Almost a thousand athletes took part, with each men"s team made up of 12 runners competing over alternate loops of three and 5.5 miles.

First into action was Chris, who was running the second leg for Newham. He took over with the team in ninth place and set off on the shorter three-mile loop.

He had competed in this event last year and had paid for a lack of experience and knowledge of the course, setting off much too quickly.

This year he paced his effort much better. He used the eight runners ahead to gauge his pace, gradually reeling them all in to take Newham into an early lead.

It was the only time they led all day, and Chris set the fastest time on the second stage, running a swift 14.06 for the three-mile leg.

Mark had a longer wait, running the eighth leg for Belgrave who were the strong favourites for the overall title.

They had recently won the South of England relay title with Mark cementing his place in the team for this weekend"s race.

Belgrave established a lead over the rest of the field and when Mark took over he had the responsibility of ensuring they maintained that position.

He managed this suberbly, increasing the gap by running a solo 14.45.

With Belgrave now in control, Newham, with Chris" leg a key component, were in a solid second and this is how they finished.

Both teams ran their fastest cumulative times ever, earning Mark a national gold medal and Chris a silver.

Chris had the consolation of running the third fastest short leg of the day against the cream of the UK"s endurance athletes.

Both train under the guidance of local endurance coach Norrie Hay.

He said: 'This type of event is useful for a couple reasons.

'Firstly it helps to measure the athletes progress and their current level of fitness after a winter of hard work and secondly to compete against the UK"s top athletes.

'It is an opportunity to catch the eye of the UK selectors for upcoming international road race selections.'

Also competing were Shettleston Harriers who provided the suprise of the day.

With all four of their Eritean athletes in the team, they finished a creditable fourth overall. Chris and Mark will now embark on an important track season.

The qualifying window for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Dehli opens on 1 May and both Mark and Chris will be looking to make significant progress against the 1500m qualifying mark of 3.41.30.

This will begin at the inaugural Inter Regional Championships at Wishaw on 10 May.

Prior to that, both will have a crack at running a sub four-minute mile in Glenpark Harriers" Chisholm Mile on 5 May on the Greenock Esplanade.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 22 Apr 09

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