NEWHAM & ESSEX BEAGLES runner Dave Mitchinson warmed up for the national duathlon championships with a confident performance at the Saucony Milton Keynes Relays, writes BEN WELCH. The 31-year-old runner was part of the men s team who comfortably won the S

NEWHAM & ESSEX BEAGLES runner Dave Mitchinson warmed up for the national duathlon championships with a confident performance at the Saucony Milton Keynes Relays, writes BEN WELCH.

The 31-year-old runner was part of the men's team who comfortably won the Southern Counties 12 Stage Relay on Sunday.

The Beagles' winning margin was well over five minutes as they stormed to victory in four hours seven minutes and four seconds, after never being headed from leg two onwards.

The triumphant squad included, Ian Grime (24.24), James Shane (16.55), Kairn Stone (24.54), Stephen Hepples (16.47), Scott Sterling (25.31), Nathan Riding (17.09), Mourmin Geele (23.50), Mo Farah (15.46), Mitchinson (24.51), James Ellis (16.30), Kevin Skinner (24.14) and Mark Warmby (16.13).

Belgrave Harriers claimed the silver medal with a time of 4:12.43, ahead Aldershot, Farnham and District in third, as they recorded 4:16.41.

Geele, Farah and Warmby all recorded fastest legs of the day for the east Londoners, and Mitchinson claimed the result was never in doubt after a quicksilver start from Grime.

"With Iain having such a good run on the first leg and Scott maintaining the pace in the second, we were in a strong position from the start," he said.

"When I took over I had a five minute lead. Barring a disaster we were always going to win at that stage.

"It made it an enjoyable race to run as I was very relaxed."

Mitchinson said he expects a sterner test at the Nike Senior Men's 12 Stage Road Relay Championship in Birmingham on Saturday, April 17, with the Farah brothers likely to be absent, but he is now focusing on the national duathlon championships, which kick off on Sunday in Buckinghamshire.

"Milton Keynes was a good run out for me and has given me plenty of confidence heading into Sunday's race," said the Police Community Support Officer, of the event which features three legs of running, cycling and running.

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