September 22: The MMK Masters Men and Women both win the Eastern Masters Final at Stantonbury

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.

Full results from Stantonbury

Pictures by Brian Graves

Any corrections to Mick Bromilow