This year's Greensand Ridge Relay proved to be another hot one for runners taking part in the SMOC orienteering event on Saturday 14th June. Following a section of the Greensand Ridge Path from Leighton Buzzard to Northill, the GRR is primarily a team relay broken down into 6 legs, but over the years it has become increasing popular for solo runners to take on the entire 34 mile distance too. A staple in the Biggleswade AC calendar, members Andrew Hedley, Neil Harvey, Charlie Arnold, Richard Hill, Nick Haworth and Damien Pitts competed with 41 other teams on the day.
Starting just before midday from Linslade in Leighton Buzzard, Andrew Hedley was first to take command of the Biggleswade baton, running the 5.5 mile stage to Stockgrove Country Park to hand over to Neil Harvey. Neil ran his 3.9 mile leg well within his handicap time, bettering it by over a minute and a half, to be greeted by Charlie Arnold at the changeover point in Woburn for leg 3. Leg 3 is the longest mileage-wise at 9 miles, cutting through the Woburn Estate, picturesque village of Eversholt and then over the M1 to Millbrook. Charlie put in a brilliant run to come in 7 minutes under his handicap to meet next BAC runner, Richard Hill. Richard made good progress tackling the hilly Ampthill Park and completing leg 4 at Deadman's Hill, on the edge of Maulden Woods, and in line with his handicap. From Deadman's Hill Nick Haworth proceeded to pick up the Greensand Ridge following the edge of Chicksands Woods and towards Haynes before finishing leg 5 at Deadman's Cross. The honour of the last leg fell to Damien Pitts who took on the 5 mile stage through Warden Woods and Home Wood to emerge at nearby Northill and cross the finish line just after 5pm. Despite suffering a couple of falls along the way, the Biggleswade AC team completed the Relay in a time of 5 hours 15 minutes, coming a respectable 26th. Thank you to Club member, Ian Grimwood for organising Biggleswade's entry, arranging logistics and taking photos on the day!