City target repeat of relay success

City of Portsmouth enjoyed success at Lakeside in 2015. Picture: Malcolm Wells

With the event also incorporating the Hampshire Championships it will attract some top competition.

The relays start at 11am with the under-13 and under-15 boys and girls race in teams of three.

And under-17, senior and veteran ladies start at 12midday, with the under-17, senior and veteran men at 2pm.

The Lakeside Road Relays were a big hit in 2015. Picture: Malcolm Wells

Before the relays start there is a one-lap race at 10.30am for under-11s.

Coach Vince Stamp will have a large number of his coaching group running in the junior races as City look to achieve more glory.

After a brilliant winter, Lachlan Wellington is lined up to spearhead the under-15 boys’ squad.

The team will be strong with Jacob O’Hara, who is coached by Pat Butcher, in brilliant form and the likes of Harry Moore, Steven Cross, Adam Kimber, Callum Crook, Josh Goldfinch, Ben Cross, Matthew Thomas and Tom Haskell also in the squad.

The Portsmouth boys' squad from 2015. Picture: Malcolm Wells

Stamp said: ‘We had great results last year when we swept the board and hopefully the conditions are good for some fast times again.

‘Lachlan was the fastest of anyone in the national road relays and the southern road relays last season.

‘Jacob is top class as well but he has had a bit of an injury.

‘With those two and the others fighting to get the third place, the team will be hard to beat.

‘It would take something special from the other clubs.

‘You have Adam Kimber coming back to top form, while Harry Moore and Steven Cross are going well.

‘Harry has a lovely running style and is really starting to come through now. Steven has made massive improvements this winter.

‘We have Callum Crook getting back to his best and Josh Goldfinch should be right up there.’

City are without some top athletes in the junior girls’ races but Saffron Moore, Charlotte Bullard, Mia Billins, Eloise O’Neill and Bo Sansom are part of an excellent squad.

Stamp added: ‘We do have some notable absentees but we are looking to have three full teams for the under-13 girls and two for the under-15 girls.’

In the senior races, Alex Davoile, Sian Hawkes and Emma Montiel are lined up, along with the likes of Katie Carew-Robinson, Kayleigh Johns, Abigail Lazenbury, Lauren McCarthy and Emma Williams.

The men’s senior line-up includes Tony Hewett, Tony Hooker, Shaun Newton, Adam O’Hara, Chris Scott, James Teuten, Chris Tollet and Kevin Wheeler.

Other clubs with teams entered include Victory, Stubbington Green Runners, Havant, Ryde Harries, Eastleigh, Southampton, Winchester, and Aldershot, Farnham & District.