Four strong Reading AC teams started their cross country season with the opening southern Road relays at Aldershot.
With the long awaited return of the road relays to Aldershot, runners were put through their paces through two large laps amounting to 6k.
15 confident Reading athletes took on the course however, which has a good amount of up and down hill running as well as some good running through wooded areas.
The A team fielded a strong group of athletes with Laurie Marlow leading the team out successfully with a time of 22.49 to hand over in 22nd position.
Next up was Katherine West, who is improving with every race, completing the course in 23.07 and handing over the baton in 23rd position.
Naomi Mitchell continued to show her endurance after her GB marathon debut, running 20.25 and picked up 14 places to hand the baton over in 10th place.
Jess Gibbon ran the anchor leg, finishing with the third fastest time of the day in 19.53 and gained another five places to lead the A team home in an impressive 5th place.
The B and C team both showed how their hard work, commitment and consistency in training is paying off with some excellent running.
The B team started with Julia McMillan making a welcome return to racing, leading the team home in 43rd position with a time of 25.54.
Hayleigh Wood showed her endurance strength with a time of 25.07 to move the team up to 40th position.
Lucy Daniels had a strong run after a busy track season to take the team to 38th position in a time of 27.14 and then Elsa Curran finished strongly with a time of 26.59 to bring the B team home in 39th position.
The C team were close behind finishing in 41st with Eva Thomas leading the team out in 26.25 to come in at 46th.
Shirley Ann Dix gained a place to 45 running 26.43 on her return to racing post baby.
Lee Fellows continued to show her versatility running 28.30 and finishing 46th with Simran Dhillon gaining five places to bring the team home in 41st with a run of 27.19.
Reading ladies also had a vets team who finished in 7th.
Millie Dainton led the team, running 28.14, handing over to Kathryn Tolson who ran 27.09, with Belinda Tull speedily finishing in 26.54.
Report by Sarah Holmes
