By ADAM LAZZARI MORE than 400 runners paced through the Fens on Sunday when March Athletic Club hosted the 13th annual Hereward Relay. A total of 106 teams of four runners battled through strong wind and heavy mud to complete the 38-mile, four-stage race

By ADAM LAZZARI

MORE than 400 runners paced through the Fens on Sunday when March Athletic Club hosted the 13th annual Hereward Relay.

A total of 106 teams of four runners battled through strong wind and heavy mud to complete the 38-mile, four-stage race from Peterborough Cathedral to Ely City Football Club.

Competitors came from across the region and St Edmunds Pacers A won in 3:47:23.

The home club entered seven teams and the Wisbech-based Fenland Running Club fielded eight teams.

March AC chairman Peter Jackman said: "It was another excellent race. Conditions were pretty treacherous at times and that made it a real challenge.

"Eighty per cent of the course is off-road and the runners had to battle through some heavy sludge.

"There were some very good performances with four teams finishing under four hours and the ladies from Fenland Running Club did particularly well."

Fenland Running Club's Rebecca Cousins took the first senior ladies' prize for the first stage, with a time of 0:41:42 for 6.48 miles.

She was part of a team with Colin Simpson, Sean Connolly and Keith White who finished 25th in a time of 4.36.34.

Fenland Running Club's Jane Holmes, Maire Irlam, Sarah Gauvin and Lisa Jermey finished third out of 11 ladies' teams and 52nd overall in 4.59.56.

The first local team home was March AC's March A, who came 13th in 4:25:30.

The team, made up of Jamie McGarvey, Paul Hensby, Nick Mann and James Fulcher was quickly followed by Fenland Running Club's first finishers, Fenland Frontmen.

The team of Jack Trow, Ady Martin, Tim Chapman and Andre Pittock came 14th in 4.26.25.

There was also an entry from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire with breakfast presenter Jeremy Sallis running the final leg. The team finished 92nd.

Jackman said: "We've had some nice feedback. One runner from St Edmunds Pacers wrote to me and to say how much they had enjoyed the race and that the marshalling was excellent. They also asked of we could make the weather better next year. But it just wouldn't be the same. City dwellers love coming out here and challenging themselves in Fen conditions.

"For most people the Hereward Relay is not about times, it's about survival."

He added: "I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work and efforts in marshalling and helping out."

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