HARLOW Running Club's under-15 girls team of Liz Muggeridge, Jackie Socas and Tina Testagrossa, pulled off a sensational result last Sunday, when they won the silver medals at the English National Road Relay championships at Sutton Coldfield.

It was a very close, not say extremely exciting race, and the trio were just a few tantalising strides away from gold.

More than 50 of the country's top athletics clubs toed the line for the 3x2,500m leg relay, with Harlow's chances almost disappearing in the first few seconds when Muggeridge, running the very difficult opening stage, nearly crashed to the floor after less than 100m when she was pushed from behind in the frenzy at the starting line.

Fortunately, she recovered well to work her way through the field and hand over in an excellent sixth place with a time of 9min 37sec, just 20 seconds behind the leader.

Socas, on the second leg, had an exceptional run and by the midway point of the circuit, she had clawed the deficit back to be right on the shoulders of the race leaders.

Socas then proceeded to edge into the lead as she gradually eased away to open up a twelve second advantage by the end of the stage, with a time of 9min 18sec, the ninth best overall of the day.

Testagrossa began the third leg with the pressure of knowing that many of the other clubs' top runners would be chasing her down and, if Harlow were to win their first ever national medal, she had to hold her nerve.

This she did brilliantly, conceding only one place to the winners Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club, by just four seconds and holding off the challenge of third placed Cannock and Stafford Athletic Club by six seconds, recording a personal time of 9min 32sec.

A spokesman for Harlow Running Club said: "This was a marvellous performance by a team that all ran to their full potential on the day and has firmly put Harlow Running Club on the national road running map.

"It is a credit to all the athletes, not just those that ran on this occasion."

The club is always keen to welcome new members of all ages and abilities, so if you would like to become a part of their success story, ring Rob or Bev Parsons on 01279 434685 for more details.

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