By ADAM LAZZARI CONDITIONS were awful and the course was treacherous but the runners and race marshals were absolutely fantastic. March Athletic Club chairman Peter Jackman s summary of the 11th Hereward Relay will no doubt be widely felt. More than

By ADAM LAZZARI

"CONDITIONS were awful and the course was treacherous but the runners and race marshals were absolutely fantastic."

March Athletic Club chairman Peter Jackman's summary of the 11th Hereward Relay will no doubt be widely felt.

More than 480 runners in 120 teams turned out in snow and freezing cold weather to compete in the four-stage 38-mile relay race from Peterborough Cathedral through Fenland to Ely City Football Club.

The race has traditionally finished at Ely Cathedral but the finish line was switched for the first time last year due to traffic in the centre of Ely.

A team called CTC Male 1 won the men's race in 3:57:02, 0:01:33 behind second-placed Stowmarket Striders A.

There was local success for March AC, who organises the races, with the club's March Ladies A finishing second in the ladies' race.

The team, made up of Twanette Lourens, Sue Irving, Debra Wait, Katie Ward finished in 4:52:51, and came 37th overall.

West Norfolk A won the ladies' race in 4:36:59.

A phenomenal performance came from Peter Galpin, from the BRJ Club, Huntingdon.

He was one of four ultra runners to complete the 38.7 miles solo.

He finished in 4: 46.43, a massive 53 minutes ahead of second-placed Ian Taylor, from Bungay Black Dog.

Mr Jackman said: "This really was one of the greatest performances we've ever had in the Hereward Relay. Mr Galpin would have finished 29th in the team race on his own, it's unbelievable.

"We don't record course records because each year the course may alter slightly and the terrain may be a bit different but this truly was one of the greatest performances in the history of the Hereward Relay.

"It was also a tremendous achievement for a team from our club to finish second in the ladies' race."

Trophies were handed out to individual winners of each stage and March AC's Sue Irving was the first veteran lady to finish the second stage.

Mr Jackman said: "It was very pleasing to see such a wonderful turnout and the race marshals did an excellent job in such awful weather. We had members of Eye Community Runners, Fenland Runners and Ely Runners helping us with the race marshalling and we're very grateful for all of their help."

Full results can be seen at www.marchathleticclub.co.uk

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