Northern Road Relay Championships - Hartlepool - 27th September 2008

Richmond and Zetland Harriers had both a ladies and men’s team entered for the Northern Road Relay Championships, held at Hartlepool Marina on Saturday 27th September, facing some stiff opposition from the larger city clubs. The route was “out and back” along the promenade, which provided a good, flat route and a slight sea breeze on a sunny afternoon.

The ladies event got underway at 12 noon, with a total of 42 teams on the start line, each running four legs of 4K each. Kelley Haniver took the first leg for the Harriers and put in a fantastic run to cross the line in 13.48 in 10th place overall, handing over to new member Leanne Jones, who also ran to the best of her ability with a strong leg in 14.49. The third leg belonged to Sarah Gregory, who kept a consistent pace, running most of the way with little company in 16.08, before Rachel Ross-Russell took the last leg and really brought the team home into 21st position overall, with a storming run of 13.55 to make a cumulative team time of 58.40.

Tad Zaranko

The men’s event was over the same course, with six runners, each with 6K to tackle and the Harriers also put in an excellent showing, going head to head with no less than 68 other teams. James Wardman was first away and ran a solid leg to put the team in 47th position with 18.12, followed by Doug Roberts, who kept the pace steady and ran exactly the same time, gaining 7 places in the process. Veteran Jon Orange was next up and really threw down the gauntlet, attacking the distance in 17.28 and pulling the team up into 29th position, before handing on to team mate Ken Harker, who put in a good performance, completing his 6K in 19.18. Nick Zissler was next away on the penultimate leg and managed a fantastic time of 18.01, which consequently put the team into 25th with one leg to go, which was run by Tad Zaranko in 19.28, coming in to claim a well-deserved and hard fought 28th place overall, with a cumulative time of 1.50.39.

Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10K - 21st September 2008

The previous week Tad Zaranko had also been in action at the popular Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10K race on Sunday 21st September. Always looking to better himself and improve on his best times, he was looking for a competitive event. At half way he was on target, but having raced the previous day, fell just short of his PB with 36.17, still achieving an excellent time and one which placed him 3rd MV45 overall in the race.