MEMBERS of Medway and Maidstone AC have qualified for the National 12 stage road relay championships at the South of England qualifying event.

The 12-man team ran with black ribbons in memory of squad member Geoff Baxter, who was killed in a road crash days before he was due to play his part in the race. Medway and Maidstone pulled out all the stops at Milton Keynes to finish fifth.

Michael Coleman finished 14th on the opening long stage before Steve Clarke charged through the field to record the sixth- fastest short stage of the day to hoist the club nine places to fifth.

Andy Thomas maintained the impetus on the next long stage, improving to third.

Track specialist Tim Alexander did well to only lose two places on leg four before Barry Royden gained one position on a classy fifth stage.

Dave Jackson brought the team home in sixth place at the halfway point and good progress was maintained by Pat Curran, Matt Whiting, Lee McMeekin and Ian Hough.

Gareth Williams gained two places on the penultimate long stage and Neil Renault picked off one more club on the glory leg to confirm Medway and Maidstone’s place in the national finals later this month.