21st October 2008
Chiba Ekiden Team Announced
21 October 2008
A blend of youth and experience will represent the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team at the Chiba International Ekiden Relay in Japan on 24th November. It is 20 years since the prestigious marathon distance event was launched, but this will be only the second year that it is contested by mixed teams, following last year’s switch to one race rather than separate men’s and women’s races.
GB & NI will be looking to build on last year’s 6th place finish with a strong showing. Host nation Japan, along with perennially strong endurance nations Ethiopia and Kenya will form the brunt of some tough opposition from around the world. 17 year old Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham & District), who won bronze in the junior women’s race at the 2007 European Cross Country Championships, will earn her first ever senior international vest as she takes responsibility for one of the women’s 5k legs.
38 year old Caroline Hoyte (Arena 80 AC), who performed impressively at the weekend’s ERRA Road Relay Championships in Sutton Park will take the crucial anchor leg. She is returning to the international fold after last representing GB & NI at this event in 2001. Team reserves Neilson Hall (Bedford & County) and Barbara Parker (City of Norwich) will have the opportunity to take part in a specially-organised track 5000m race against reserves from other nations, as is part of the event’s traditional programme.
NORWICH UNION GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND TEAM
Scott Overall (Blackheath & Bromley) – men’s 5k
Charlotte Purdue (Aldershot, Farnham & District) – women’s 5k
Ian Boneham (Notts AC) – men’s 10k
Freya Murray (Chester le Street & District) – women’s 5k
Ian Hudspith (Morpeth Harriers) – men’s 10k
Caroline Hoyte (Arena 80 AC) – women’s 7.195k
Reserves
Neilson Hall (Bedford & County)
Barbara Parker (City of Norwich AC)