Topping the podium together: 2025 England Athletics Relay Championships
Under the heat of the August sunshine, Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium came alive with electrifying energy as clubs from across the country gathered for the 2025 England Athletics Relay Championships. Thank you to our hosts, Birchfield Harriers, and all the amazing volunteers for making this such a great event.
With the track shimmering in the heat and the stands buzzing with anticipation, the competition was a celebration of speed, team trust and club pride. Hear the winning athletes’ perspectives on competing as a team and the difference the support of the crowd can make.
Roared to victory: the extra member of the relay team
With the home crowd roaring their support, the Birchfield Harriers U20 mixed 4x400m team had an extra push to the line in one of the closest finishes of the day. On the anchor leg, Ava Freeman was being chased by male athletes from Blackheath and Bromley Harriers AC and Reading AC, but the crowd gave her the edge to secure the national title on the line. Following the race, she described how great it was to compete as a team.
“It feels absolutely amazing because normally you’re going into competitions just representing yourself, so it’s good to have a competition that is so club based. It’s been such a good atmosphere in the warm up, in the call room, during the race, after the race, such an enjoyable competition and really happy to bring pride on the club.”
Croydon Harriers, winners of the senior women’s 4x100m, had some of the loudest supporters in the crowd. Underdogs coming into the championships, the noise from their supporters helped them to secure their spot on top of the podium.
“The supporters are amazing! It makes a massive difference because you just hear the crowd. It’s like you have selective hearing, I know for a fact that I could hear them on the other side of the track, so definitely keeps us going on the track for sure.”
Competing and achieving together as a team
To succeed in the relays, it’s important to have trust in your teammates to do their job and to ensure safe changeovers. Thames Valley Harriers claimed gold in the senior men’s 4x100m and spoke of the difference having that confidence in your team can make.
“We knew our ability and that if we did what we can do, then we’d come away with a national medal, a gold medal. So, I think we’re just happy to be here and the team’s happy, so it has been a great day so far.”
Given some injury concerns coming into the competition, the City of Sheffield’s senior women’s 4x400m quartet, were especially thankful to be able to compete together as a team.
“I feel like it’s a really good opportunity because we never get a lot of opportunities to run together. We’re often competing against each other, for example I do 400m hurdles and I don’t actually see these girls a lot. So, it’s nice to come together and be part of something like this.”
With both the senior men’s and women’s teams topping the podium over the longer relay, this is an achievement they can celebrate together as a club.
“It feels amazing! It’s nice that both teams have been working so hard throughout the year and we’ve made the medals, both gold. And I couldn’t be prouder of us all.”
If you missed any of the action from the England Athletics Relay Championships, be sure to catch up: