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Bristol & West triumph in National Road Relays
Bristol & West Athletic Club’s victory in the men’s race at the National Road Relays marks the club’s most successful season in their long history.
The club, whose training hub is in Whitehall, was established in 1882 making it one of the oldest athletics clubs in the world.
The men’s squad captured the prestigious 12-stage National Road Relay title, adding to their National Cross Country Championship victory earlier this season and cementing their place among the elite of UK distance running.
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At Sutton Park in Birmingham, Bristol & West were leading for most of the day but were caught and passed by long-time London rivals Highgate Harriers with three stages to go before Will Battershill unleashed a storming anchor leg, overturning a 30-second deficit to secure victory by just over 20 seconds.
“It has been such a long-term objective of mine,” said team manager Mike Down, who was able to attend the event despite a recent hospital stay.
“This was a day I shall never forget.”
Bristol & West AC achieved the ultimate accolade in British endurance running by becoming National Road Relay champions – photo: Graham Smith / Athletics Weekly
Team captain Kurt Taylor said that “now we are at the top, we’ve got to stay there”.
He said: “It won’t be easy I know, but we can hold our own in any company now.
“Hopefully more of the South West’s aspiring runners will join the crusade that has helped us reach this championship level.”
Bristol & West’s women also impressed in the six-stage National Road Relay, with the A team finishing 11th overall, 8th among English teams – photo: Graham Smith / Athletics Weekly
Main photo: Graham Smith / Athletics Weekly
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