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Relay Success: Lewes AC’s Strong Showing at 2024 SEAA Championships
Date: Saturday 21st September 2024
Location: Rushmore Arena, Aldershot
Report by: Sally Norris
Lewes Athletic Club participated in the 2024 SEAA Championships (South of England Athletics Association Road Relay Championships) at the Rushmore Arena in Aldershot. The venue, part of the Ministry of Defence training estate, offered runners a fantastic, undulating course with plenty of opportunities for spectators to cheer them on.
Team Lewes
Lewes AC entered one women’s team in the V40 category: Ellen Brooks, Emily Russell, and myself, Sally Norris.
Although it was disappointing that we couldn’t field more women’s teams, and unfortunately, no men’s teams made it on the day, our juniors were out in force under the guidance of Dave Leach.
Road running isn’t my first choice, but I was keen to take part when Ellen Brookes asked. I enjoy pushing myself and stepping out of my comfort zone, and it was an excellent opportunity to represent the club.
The Race Experience
Despite my previous experience with shorter relays earlier in the year not being entirely enjoyable, I found the longer distances of this event more to my liking.
The race was well-organised, set in a beautiful area of the country, and had a fantastic atmosphere with runners from across the South of England.
It was especially rewarding to share the experience with other Lewes AC members, travelling together and supporting one another. These events offer a unique chance to bond with teammates, and it was great fun to cheer each other on as we completed our legs.
Performance & Results
Under 17 Woman Results
The Lewes AC Under 17 Women’s team excelled at the SEAA Road Relay Championships.
Eva Winton started strong with a solid first leg, placing the team in 6th position at 17:05.40. Esme Stephenson followed up with a determined second leg, pushing the team up to 4th place with a time of 17:12.25. Finally, Ava James delivered a brilliant third leg, clocking in an impressive 16:00.18, which secured the team a fantastic 2nd place overall—their combined time of 50:17.48 earned them a well-deserved spot on the podium, showcasing the depth of talent and teamwork among the Lewes juniors.
- Leg 1 (Eva Winton) 17:05.40 (6th)
- Leg 2(Esme Stephenson) 17:12.25 (4th)
- Leg 3 (Ava James) 16:00.18 (2nd)
- Total time: 50:17.48 (2nd overall)
Our V40 women’s team put in a solid performance, finishing 11th overall in a field of 19 teams.
Ellen Brookes kicked off with an impressive first leg, maintaining 9th place at 18:07.31. I took over for the second leg, keeping the team in 9th at 19:37.46. Finally, Emily Russell powered through the final leg, bringing the team home in 11th place overall with a total time of 57:58.38.
Master Women 40+ Results:
- Leg 1 (Ellen Brooks): 18:07.31 (9th)
- Leg 2 (Sally Norris): 19:37.46 (9th)
- Leg 3 (Emily Russell): 20:13.89 (14th)
- Total time: 57:58.38 (11th overall)
We were proud of our collective effort and would have loved to see more club members joining us to boost the energy and atmosphere even more.
Much like the upcoming league races, events like this thrive on the participation and camaraderie of larger groups.
Final Thoughts
I would absolutely recommend this race to others in the club, whether you’re a seasoned road runner or looking to try something new.
The team aspect is energising, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to experience racing in different parts of the country.
For anyone considering relays, starting with a low-key event can be a great way to learn the ropes and build confidence.
We look forward to more relays and races, and hope to see more Lewes AC members joining the fun!
Full results can be found here.