Underdogs Win Big at Nationals

St Mary's Richmond AC's under-17 boys — Marcus Solomon, Daniel Jelfs and Tom Mythen — won the English National Road Relay Championships in Birmingham on 4 October, becoming the fastest U17 team in the country.

Local runners Marcus Solomon, Daniel Jelfs and Tom Mythen achieved their goal at the English National Road Relay Championships in Birmingham on 4 October, winning the championship and securing their place as the fastest under-17 team in the country.

Despite this trio of runners from a small club being relatively unknown, they were certainly no underdogs in this race.

Marcus, a veteran Middlesex and Surrey runner, ran the first leg and brought the team into 6th place. Speaking afterwards, he said: "It was a tough and physical start, but it was so much fun, and I am really pleased with my run."

Daniel, a 15:09 5K runner, took the second leg and led the team into 2nd place, overtaking their main rivals, Blackheath & Bromley. Tom, the fastest runner in the team and a GB triathlete, raced into 1st place and held off the competition to secure the national title, attaining the second-fastest leg time at the event.

I didn't know that I had that run in me, and I'm so glad to have brought the victory home for us. Tom Mythen

The young athletes train at the Sir Mo Farah track at St Mary's University in Twickenham, and in Richmond Park. The team first came together on 20 September to win the South of England Road Relays in Aldershot, with Tom running the fastest leg time on the day.

All three runners have competed for St Mary's for years, and have found success over the road, the track, and the mud. Alongside this, they have been selected to represent Surrey County numerous times at the English Schools' Championships and the Inter-Counties Championships.

Marcus, Daniel and Tom now look to continue progressing over the coming months, aiming to be in top shape for the cross-country season this winter.