ECH represent at National 12 stage road relays 2026
Sutton Park in Birmingham hosted the annual National 12 stage road relays on Saturday 11th April. Our ECH men qualified to take part and we managed to field a team despite many injuries, people on holiday and others training for the Spring marathons!
Another day of strange weather conditions like at the Northern 12 stage, with strong winds, sunshine, and even hail on leg 8 - poor Carl! The race consisted of 12 stages of 5.42km which is a new format which started last year. The best runners in the country were present and even Olympians out representing their clubs, including Jake Wightman!
Well done to our 12 men who left it all out there for the green and gold badge and finished a very creditable 47th place: Mike Holness (17.07), Brandon Kenyon-Betts (18.29), Gavin Browne (18.31), Howard Oldham (19.15), Robin Horner (20.10), Joe Taylor (20.03), Dan Kavanagh (20.36), Carl Hodskinson (21.48), Andy Sykes (20.53), Mike Kennedy (21.10), James Hartshorne (21.42) and Jonathan Aust (21.27).
A special mention to Joe Taylor who made the step-up to the senior team this year and has done brilliantly, more to come from him! Also to Robin, Dan, Carl and Jonathan for stepping in to help us field a team in this iconic event.
Once again thanks to the ECH support including Gary Matthews, Wade Cooper and the Taylor family!
Dan Kavanagh on leg 7
Carl in the hail on leg 8
Andy Sykes on leg 9
James on leg 11