Sunday 21st March saw us once again compete in the SEAA Southern 12 Stage Road Relay Championships in Milton Keynes. With bright sunshine but a stiff breeze all the runners knew they would have their work cut out to match last year's result of 11th place.

Following in the recent style for Kent AC relay teams this team spanned an age range that was probably unmatched across any of the teams competing on the day, with every age category from Under 20 to Vet 50 represented.

We welcomed into the 12 stage team for the first time Calum Fraser, David Child, Andy Pickett and Graeme Garner and welcomed Tim Connell back after a gap of 'probably about 20 years'.

Every one of the 12 runners who took part ran well on the day with a solid progression up the standings from the first leg, with Andy Pickett proving his worth as a team man coming out to take two places on the last leg even though he was unwell and on antibiotics on the day. James Connor, however, just piped Andy for run of the day recording an impressive time of 24:40 for a long leg, making him the 12th fastest man on the day against some top international standard competition.

The team finally finished a very creditable 12th and now go on to the National 12 Stage in April. What was noticeable on the day, and what continues to set Kent AC teams apart, was the team spirit on the day. Despite new faces coming in we gelled well as a team and it could be argued we performed better as a unit than could have been expected due to the strong team spirit driving each individual. Long may it continue and well done to all!

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