The JJs fielded two men’s teams, 35-44 and 55-64. Acting captain Angus patiently marshalled the late arrivals, contending with post-work weekday traffic, via group chat, and two full teams were confirmed with at least five minutes to spare. For the 35-44s, Jorge set the bar high on the opening leg, with a very strong 11:32, 77th overall from a field of 214. Angus and Laurence (dropping down an age bracket) followed with solid runs (13:18 and 12:36 respectively), running steady and then trying to take advantage of the long finishing curve after the final left-hander to burst the boiler by the finish.

In the 55-64 race, Cliff put down a competitive opening marker with 13:07. The handovers in these relays, unlike the recent baton swaps elsewhere, are done with impressive coordination by the starting marshals, shepherding the next runners out, like sheep through a gate, as their team-mate finishes alongside. Matty, running in improvised racing plus-fours after the late surprise of missing shorts, followed with a team’s best 12:45, and Geoff brought it home well in 13:24. There was not much between the JJs runners – Jorge’s scorcher aside – and another springtime sprint around the park was satisfactorily notched off.

By Laurence White

M35-44

24th JJs – Jorge Fernandes 11:32 Angus Miller 13:18 Laurence White 12:36

M55+

6th JJs Cliff Veitch 13:07 Matty Down 12:45 Geoff Blair 13:24

A new venue for the Good Friday Relays hosted by Elswick Harriers, also saw the introduction of a baton for a road relay. With the buzz around the start of who has ever raced a road relay holding a baton, only Stuey Bell, former Chester Le Street and Great Britain athlete, having done so at an international race in Bahrain. For us, the mere mortals in the race, this would be the first time racing with a baton, with some of us having raced road relays for at least 30 years, it was a novelty. Talk turned to who would drop the baton, how to hold it, Beth said she could put it down her sports bra and how to ensure a smooth change. Niran was worried about how firm Jake was putting the baton in his hand in a warm up!

The women’s race was off first with Beth deciding to hold the baton conventionally in her hands for the first leg. All eyes were on the first hand over and would it be smooth. No drops, barges or falls were seen in the handovers and everyone breathed a sign of relief and the racing took over. Beth predicted she would run around 17minustes and smashed that by 40secs with a great first leg. A fairly flat course round the old runway at the Barracks promised some fast running. Amy Barlow made her relays debut for the club and run a strong leg to handover to Sophie Blair who stormed round the 2.4mile loop. The women finished a credible 39th place out of 77 women’s teams. A great effort.

With the women showing how to not drop the baton, the men were off next. Jake stepped up to run the first leg for the A team and stormed round to the JJs fastest time of the day with a 13.16 clocking and handing over to Niran Patel with a little less force then in the warm up. Niran showing that he is putting behind his recent injury problems with a great 14:12 run, handed over to Calvin Marsland who has experience of runways in his day job. This time he didn’t come down with a bump but smoothly cruised round to the JJs second fastest time of the day with a 14:00 run. Angus Routledge brought home the team in 31st place. The B team were headed by Angus Miller, who handed over to Liam Blatch making his JJs relay debut. Simon Wells took over for the third leg before Geoff Blair brought the team home in 55th place out of 83 men’s teams.

A great new course for the popular relays, back for the first time since covid. With the JJs happy with their performances they headed to the Lonsdale for lunch, safe in the knowledge that they heeded the great Michael Johnston’s words.

Women’s Race
39th Jesmond Joggers (30th Snr Women) 51:11
Beth Deutsch 16:20 Amy Barlow 17:39 Sophie Blair 17:04

Men’s Race
31st Jesmond Joggers A (22nd Snr Men) 57:01
Jake Archer 13:16
Niran Patel 14:12
Calvin Marsland 14:00 Angus Routledge 15:24

55th Jesmond Joggers B (36th Snr Men) 1:01:33
Angus Miller 15:26
Liam Blatch 14:51
Simon Wells 14:56 Geoff Blair 16:09

Women’s Race

The women set off first with Laura Chapman looking like she was meaning business, leading the field round the open field at the start. Laura, who is in full marathon training, used her strength to push hard and come home 8 seconds down in second place behind the Sunderland Harrier and 43 seconds faster than last year and the 3rd fastest JJ time of the day. Straight after her leg, Laura set off on a 21 mile training run back to Jesmond to keep her marathon training on track. Sophie Reynolds then set off and had a stormer to take off 50 seconds from last years’ time to bring home the JJs in 3rd place. In form Liz Heard took off for the last leg and against tough competition brought the JJs home in a respectable 5th place and going under 13mins, a great achievement. A great start to the XC season for the women.

5th Laura Chapman 10:54 Sophie Reynolds 13:08 Liz Heard 12:48

Men’s Race

With the women showing the way, the JJ men had two teams on the start line. 19 years after running at the Farringdon cross country for the first time, the talented Jake Archer led the A team out with debutant Calvin Marsland leading off the B team. Jake ran a superb 10:11, taking off 33 secs off last year and Calvin a great 11:02, to record the 4rd fastest JJ time of the day. Niran Patel and Cliff Veitch were off next with great runs. Mark Adamson and Angus Routledge went off on the 3rd legs both running solid times and handing over to Joe Kirtley, another making his JJs debut and running a very solid time of 10:39 and Angus Miller. Angus brought home the B team with a good 12:09, showing that the recent foray in to Ultra Running hasn’t dented his speed. The A team manged a good 9th place with the B team coming home in 19th. Well done men, looking forward to the first NEHL race of the season.

9th Thomas Jake Archer 10:11 Niran Patel 11:06 Mark Adamson 11:03 Joe Kirtley 10:39

19th Calvin Marsland 11:02 Cliff Veitch 12:27 Angus Routledge 12:01 Angus Miller 12:09

Simon Wells 4/9/22