Most of you will have heard of the Round Norfolk Relay but for those of you that haven’t the title gives the game away: a relay race running 198 miles around the county of Norfolk, consisting of 17 stages, ranging from 5 to 20 miles. For more information see the RNR website
HRC has entered this year’s race, so it’s now time to think about what role you would like to play. There are a range of things that must be done over the next few months and on the race weekend. Stephen Reyes, our RNR director, is proposing a more inclusive approach to getting ourselves prepared for this year’s event, which will be a wonderful opportunity to bring us closer as a club.
Of course, we need runners, so please don’t be shy! Pick a stage you’d like to do and let Stephen know. We cannot guarantee that you’ll get the stage you ask for, but Stephen will discuss that with you. There is a time limit on the race and as a result we must average 8:40 minute miles. Unlike other clubs that have selective entry and only give their fastest runners a place, HRC try to accommodate all levels of runners as part of the race team. This can only be done if the most confident runners take the long stages, so they can buy the team time. Last year Josh Blant and Mark Novels did a fantastic job doing just that. For every runner that can hold a pace under the average we can have those who run over it.
The event is a lot of work, so it would be great if some of you could volunteer to take the lead with one of the following areas of responsibility:
- Getting a van/support vehicle together (Lynette Garstang has already volunteered to crew so just a couple more are needed).
- Organising a team of support cyclists.
- Nighttime keeper (this can be shared to avoid one person being up all night).
- Getting a team of marshals together (we need at least six people to marshal a stage).
If you take part then you probably won’t get much sleep over the weekend, but it is such a fantastic experience we know you won’t regret it.
If you want to take a lead with any of the four tasks listed above, run, cycle or drive a van please let Stephen know. He’ll then get those who volunteer together for a planning meeting. Please let him know what you would like to do as soon as possible.
If you have any questions please do ask Stephen if you see him over the next few weeks, or drop him a line at sereyes45@gmail.com, or call or text him on 07876565548.
So come on, what are you waiting for? Join the HRC RNR Team!