Sherman Cup/Davison Shield – Saturday 7 January 2023 – Temple Park, South Shields.
The new year got off to a great start with a very pleasing turn out of Elswick representatives at the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield at Temple Park. Occurring right at the end of the schools’ Christmas/ New year holiday, it was uncertain as to who would be available to run, but the rallying cries from Jan and Ken Heslop meant that we had full girls’ teams in each of the age categories, (under 13, under 15 and under 17). The boys were just short of one under 15. We also had two under 11 boys and four under 11 girls – these athletes don’t count in the Sherman Cup /Davison Shield, but these healthy numbers bode well for next year when some move up to the under 13 category.
Only a month after the North Eastern XC championships were held at this venue, the conditions were very different – the previously frozen ground was soft and sodden with a 400 metre section that was swamp like, so retaining ones shoes was a top priority.
In spite of being one senior woman short, the female team managed to finish in second place to Tynebridge Harriers for the second consecutive year, with North Shields Poly in third place. Next year we will aim yet again to have a full team to see if we can hit the top spot. The male team, lacking one under 15 runner, finished in an admirable seventh place out of the 34 participating teams. Morpeth won the Cup, with Sunderland Harriers and Tynebridge Harriers in second and third place.
Thanks to all those who participated – it really is a concerted effort to get the minimum of three runners per age category to attend –
Lewis Liddle (senior) – 39th , Mark Turnbull (vet) – 88th, Jonathan Rewcastle (senior) 103rd. Paul Taylor (senior) 211th, Chris Pearce (vet) 237th, Peter Sloan (vet) 247th, Rob Lambert (vet) 286th, Peter Jobson (vet) 368th.
Justina Heslop (vet) 4th, Felicity Smith (vet) 22nd, Andrea Banner (vet) 60th, Rachel Dodds (senior) 75th, Bella Pearce (vet) 81st, Sara Blight (vet) 92nd, Jayne Cuskern (senior) 178th, Caroline Lienard (vet)196th
We’re really delighted to have some newcomers to this competition – Lewis Liddle, Rachel Dodds and Jayne Cuskern, and to see the return of Justina Heslop to cross country. We hope to see more of them all at future XC outings.
Birtley XC Relays – Sunday 15 January – Lord Lawson of Beamish Academy, Birtley
Richard Houghton took the reins as captain for the final time at the Birtley XC Relays and put together five impressive teams – three male and two female. Each runner must complete two 1,500m laps of the school playing field which is largely flat with a snaking section up and down a very steep bank. The severe winds of the night before thankfully had disappeared giving way to bright and still conditions.
Race 1 – Senior and Veteran women. Our senior team consisted of Bella Russell (13.44), Imogen King (15.16) and debutante Rachel Dodds (13.39). They put in solid runs to finish in 10th place out of 33 teams, and sixth senior team. Cath Lowes had a brilliant first leg in 12.28 putting our veteran team in second position and achieving the fastest leg time in the V35 category. Yvette Wilkins ran the second leg and despite losing a shoe and falling over, she finished in 15.08. Bella Pearce (V50) ran the third leg in 13.35, bringing the team home in 8th position overall, and bronze medallists in the V35 category. Thanks to Yvette, Cath and Rachel for standing in at short notice.
Race 2 – Veteran men. First off for our V35 team was Richard Houghton who put the team in 9th position in a leg time of 11.40. Paul Taylor moved the team up to 8th position in a time of 11.55, handing over to Chris Pearce (V50) who ran 12.30 and brought the team home in ninth position overall and sixth in the V35 category. Like his wife Bella in the female veterans’ race, Chris was running down an age category.
Like our vet women’s team, the V45 team were in second position after the first leg ran by Steve Horn in 10.25. Steve professes to dislike cross country, but hopefully this performance will persuade him to don his spikes again before the season ends. Steve Robertson took over the baton and reliably kept the team in contention finishing his leg in 11.28 and keeping the team in 3rd position. Andrew Ball brought the team home to victory in the V45 category (10.50) and impressively in second place overall.
Our V65 team was led by relative newcomer Mike Steven, his first time representing Elswick in the Birtley relays, completing his leg in 13.22. He handed over to club legend Mark McNally who finished in 14.47. Final runner was Peter Sloan in a speedy time of 12.57 to bring the team home in 23rd position overall and silver medallists in the V65 category.
Thanks to Richard for organising the teams for this event and all the many other race events over the last three years. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Brass Monkey half marathon – Sunday 15 January – York
This is an incredibly popular race which sells out in minutes. It’s flat and fast and appeals to those chasing PB times. There was heightened interest this year, given its selection by England Athletics as a qualifying race for those seeking an England vest in the half marathon championship race.
We had seven competitors, all achieving impressive times and finishing positions.
Net time Gender position Category position
Andrew Bell 1.12.40 37 10
Daniel Spoor 1.18.21 120 45
Mark Turnbull 1.20.20 166 8
Mike Russell 1.24.10 277 19
Andrea Banner 1.29.08 48 4
Felicity Smith 1.31.18 72 8
Joanne Brown 1.34.38 97 8
Here’s what Mike Russell had to say:
- An absolutely brilliant PB by Andrew
- Just how much quicker can Danny go ???
- Mark decided to go with Aly Dixon at around 5km to his regret, but an awesome run nonetheless
- Andrea ran her first sub 90 minute ½ marathon in ten years
- Another brilliant PB for Felicity
- An incredible run by Joanne, especially given she’s been ill throughout Christmas and New Year
- And Mike, a pretty impressive run after an indulgent Christmas and New year ski holiday
Run Nation Matfen miler – Sunday 15 January
Luke Hilliard chose to take on the Matfen Big Ten Miler. He stormed to victory, 70 seconds ahead of the second finisher in a brilliant time of 57.32. Not too shoddy after a week’s skiing. Congratulations Luke – another trophy for the cabinet.
An impressive start to 2023 – well done all our Elswick racers.
