One of the best relays in the world.

Södertälje Nykvarn Orientering won the 25manna relay this year with an amazing sprint finish with Kalevan Rasti on the 25th leg of the race!

 

 

Picture a disused runway next to a forest to the south west of Stockholm.  Park 100's of cars and busses on the runway, build an extravagant assembly area complete with map changeover, 300m run in, warm up pen, club tent areas, spectator controls and then fit 9,000 people onto this area and get them to run in teams of 25 around the forest for over 5 hours.  That is the 25manna!

It is one of the most incredibye complicated, yet simple events I have ever witnessed.  It is a bit like organised chaos- in a good way!  The organisation and control of the teams is mandatory as you are mixing 4 runners on 5 of the 10 legs to all get back at the same time to give the last female a chance of snatching glory.  This year Västerås SOK had 4 teams, 2 of which were very competitive - meaning that 100 runners from the club were competing for the reputation of 'the best club in the world'.

 

 

The 1st and 2nd teams for  saw Stefan Olofson and Anders Osterlund battle it out for the top places.  Anders came back in 3rd place, only 20seconds down on the leader from Delta, Leonid Novikov.   Oli Johnson (GB) then ran a great second leg - "one of my best relay runs" to bring the leam home in 8th - a great springboard for the rest of the team to continue to pull up the leaderboard.   The men and women had briliant success for the rest of the race and finally ended with Jenny Johnson on last leg, managing to sprint in with Kajsa Nilsson for equal 12th position overall - the first time in the 25manna history that there was an equal placing.  Jenny is getting a reputation for being an incredible sprint specialist!!

I ran quite well on my leg too, I was moved from 7th leg to 24th at the last moment.  Leg 24 is the ungaffled long male anchor leg which enabled us to get a great position on last leg.  Västerås SOK's 2nd team has never come below the top 100 before and I managed to run in on 24th leg (after help from the great runs by the rest of the team) in 60th position, and 5th second team overall...  Åsa Holmgren was on our last leg and we ended up in 75th overall - a positive result for the Västerås 2nd team!

 

 

I feel extremely satisfied about my run, though did have a little stomach upset meaning that I didn't feel I was running fast enough - but still managed to get a good result.  I am so pumped about orienteering now.  I think this has spurred me on to do some great winter training and get ready for the British Season and the first big races in Scandanavia next year.

25 Manna - the best club relay race in the world.