2023 National Road Relays

No weekend better sums up the DGRS spirit than National Road Relays and this year was no different - in the biggest news of all we were second place in Club of the Year! But before getting to the race report there are some important thank yous that we need to get through. First, thank you to all the marshals (Don, Maree, Shane, Phil, Dave, Margy, Brent, Olivia, Ben, Lincoln) for sacrificing their Saturday to help run this event. They showed up bright and early (did you see their hi-vis?) in the freezing cold, wind, and a bit of rain. It is a huge testament to the comradery and community of the DGRS that many of these people still showed up to help out despite being unable to run in the event.

Second, thank you to Independent Meats and Bohemian Bakery for outfitting us with the best post-race barbecue. Thank you to Phil, Shane, Ants, Erin, Dave, Maka, Margy, and all of the other people who helped serve up delicious sossies to the masses. Third, thank you to all the runners who turned up, ran their heart out, and did their team proud. A special thank you to all the runners who got asked last minute to fill in for another person who fell ill, or got injured. And thank you to all the drivers who stepped up and braved the runner nerves to make sure everyone got to their start line on time (even Simon!). Finally, a huge thank you to the Loburn 68 organizing committee and Athletics Canterbury for finding an alternative to the Bottle Lake Forest Course #werenevergoingbacktobottlelakeagain. Now let's get to the races! And races they were (except for the Senior Women who cruised to an 8th place finish anchored by the fearless Sophie White who ran straight into the headwind all the way home). The races got off to an auspicious start when Anthony Duncraft, never to disappoint, showed up in his driving uniform: