Defying the inclement elements the latest edition of the Fred Pearce Relay proved to be a memorable occasion, mingling inevitably mixed feelings as we remembered the tragic loss of ‘our’ Fred. We were honoured with the touching presence of the Pearce family, Christine, Charlotte, James, Harriet and Bronte, who thankfully had brought enormous umbrellas under which many of us sheltered, a wonderful post-race spread, upon which we gorged and Charlotte’s camera, which gave us the photos that follow. Perhaps the most moving moment of the day came when Christine spoke emotionally of Fred’s love for our sport, to be asked by Dave Evans if she would take over Fred’s position as President of the club. To our delight, suppressing her tears, Christine accepted.

TEAM RACE 3 x 5 KILOMETRES

1st.  Sailash Shah 31:35, 
       Alan Brooks(Guest) 36:42,
       Tony Malone 29:09.
Total team time:   97 mins 26 secs

2nd. Peter Crahan 34:34
         Roy Gunnett 34:07
         Greg Smith 34:46
Total team time:  103 mins 27 secs

3rd. Pat Evans 33:57
         Ian Hilditch 38:17
        Adrian Edwards 28:32
Total team time:  103 mins 46 secs

4th. Phil McCullagh 33:59
        Phil Carroll 37:54
        Martin Fisher 29:09
Total team time:  104 mins 02 secs

5th. Steve Sargent 36:28
        Joe Hardy 34:14
        Russ Jackson 33:43
Total team time:   104 mins 25 secs

6th. John Payn 43:06
        John Crahan 33:04
       Tony Taylor 26:43
Total team time:   104 mins 53 secs

7th. Andrea Lennon 40 mins 53
        Tony Bell 32:26
        Sailash Shah 35:43(second time out)
Total team time:    109 mins 02 secs

INDIVIDUAL HANDICAP

1. Sailash Shah 31:35(07:25) 24:10
2. Pat Evans 33:57(08:10) 25:47
3. Russ Jackson 33:43(07:10) 26:33
4. Tony Taylor 26:43(scratch) 26:43
5. Joe Hardy 34:14(07:25) 26:49
5. Phil McCullagh 33:59(07:10) 26:49
7. Adrian Edwards 28:32(01:30) 27:02
8. Martin Fisher 29:09(01:35) 27:34
8. John Crahan 33:04(05:30) 27:34
10 Tony Malone 29:09(01:25) 27:44
10 Phil Carroll 37:54(10:10) 27:44
12 Andrea Lennon 40:53(12:55) 27:58
13 Alan Brooks 36:42(08:40) 28:02)
14 Roy Gunnett 34:07(05:55) 28:12
15 Peter Crahan 34:34(05:40) 28:54
16 John Payn 43:06(13:36) 29:30
17 Ian Hilditch 38:17(08:40) 29:37
18 Greg Smith 34:46(04:55) 29:51
19 Steve Sargent 36:28(06:10) 30:18
20 Tony Bell 32:26(02:00) 30:26

More of Charlotte’s photos and a race report will appear soon. Heartfelt thanks to everyone, who turned out to make this a very special moment in the club’s history.