The Eastern Masters League Final, involving the top eight men’s and women’s teams from the Eastern Counties, was held at Stantonbury. A thunderstorm just after midday and some heavy showers in the early afternoon did not dampen spirits, and there was some excellent competition and some very tired athletes by the end.
In the men’s competition there was a ding-dong battle between Marshall Milton Keynes and Bedford, which was only settled in the last event of the day when the MMK M50 relay squad just avoided being caught on the last lap by a fast-finishing Bedford team to take the match by half a point.
Pos | Men’s Teams | Final Points |
1 | Marshall Milton Keynes AC | 267.5 |
2 | Bedford & County AC | 267 |
3 | Ryston Runners AC | 194.5 |
4 | Southend AC | 190.5 |
5 | Nene Valley Harriers | 187 |
6 | Colchester Harriers | 169.5 |
7 | Corby AC | 107 |
8 | Thurrock Harriers/Loughton AC | 64 |
The women had a more comfortable ride thanks to a lot of hard work for a small number of athletes, with extra support arriving close to the end of the meeting.
Pos | Women’s Teams | Final Points |
1 | Marshall Milton Keynes AC | 235 |
2 | Ryston Runners AC | 218 |
3 | Fairlands Valley Spartans | 216 |
4 | Nene Valley Harriers | 196 |
5 | Southend AC | 153 |
6 | Colchester Harriers | 141 |
7 | Corby AC | 138 |
8 | WSAC/St Edmunds Pacers | 96 |
Inevitably, Marshall Milton Keynes also took the Carl Baldwin trophy for the overall combined scores.
Pos | Overall Team | Total |
1 | Marshall Milton Keynes AC | 502.5 |
2 | Ryston Runners AC | 412.5 |
3 | Nene Valley Harriers | 383 |
4 | Southend AC | 343.5 |
5 | Colchester Harriers | 310.5 |
6 | Corby AC | 245 |
Thanks to all the officials who worked so hard to make this meeting run so smoothly despite the weather.
Any corrections to Mick Bromilow