Chris Ryan Memorial Canal Relay 

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The Chris Ryan Memorial Canal Relay race is an annual race contested by the members of Retford AC and Worksop Harriers along the Chesterfield Canal between Worksop and Retford which is run along the canal towpath. 

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Chris Ryan orginally ran for Worksop Harriers then Joined Retford in the 80's and remained with our club. Chris came up with the idea of the canal relay to pit both teams against each other. He had a great head for figures and an incredible memory for race times and statistics. He designed the relay to make it as fair as possible for both teams and as exciting to watch as well as be a part of.

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Both teams have 5 pairs of runners, with atleast 1 pair being an all female pair, who race from checkpoint to checkpoint. All pairs but one will race 2 legs with a longer 'recovery' section in the middle making sure to pass through a certain compulsory checkpoint. The other pair have the turnaround leg which is a longer section meaning they don't run any other legs. 

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Both clubs take their turn to host this event and it is a much loved and well liked fixture in our racing calender. Spectators of the event are excited to get to each checkpoint to see if the lead has changed or if the gap between the teams has shrunk or grown. Afterwards we take great delight in socialising with Worksop Harriers and their supporters and relive the action, present the trophy to the winning team and remember Chris Ryan himself. 

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