This weekend we had the pleasure of Cross Country but first a quick round up from last week.
Last week…
Wild Deer 5mile / 10 mile Trail Race
Dave Jones and Melissa Bateson were in action at the Wild Deer Events around Derwent Reservoir.
Dave running the 5 mile option, completing the course in 35 mins.
Melissa opting for the 10 mile route completing the course in 1.45.
Both impressive times given the conditions under foot and undulations they had to deal with.
High Cup Nick Fell Race
We had a couple of members taking to the fells and completing in the High Cup Nick Fell Race – it’s one I must do sometime as the scenery looks amazing!
“A well marked fell race (15KM/450M ascent) on the edge of the Eden Valley taking you to the amazing High Cup Nick before returning mostly along the Pennine Way into scenic village of Dufton.”
It was Pete Dawson (1.36) who pipped Jonny Lowes (1.38) over the line, both earning a nice beverage for their efforts.
For anyone wanting to give fell running a go, please speak to any of the guys – they’re great fun and offer value for money!
This weeks round up starts at the sleepy Northumberland Town of Alnwick – a beautiful course and the conditions were just perfect for an NEHL fixture…. Mud glorious mud 😂
Normally, the final NEHL fixture and highlight for many but with the poor weather this winter we have two rearranged fixtures to go – see future fixtures.
Our juniors bore the burnt of the bad weather with a few heavy showers early on – they did an awesome job churning the ground up to make it interesting for us old folk… Despite the weather our Juniors were fantastic with some outstanding performances!
Our ladies, staring down the barrel of relegation fielded a strong side and they all performed amazingly. Hazel Bough making her debut led the team home with a very impressive performance, Justina was next up with a cracking run from the fast pack, Rachel was next running very well from the medium pack and Louise had a fabulous run to finish 4thcounter. Hazel, Rachel and Louise all being rewarded for their runs with promotion to the next pack.
It truly was a team performance by the ladies with 14 running in total and fielding three full teams; the A Team secured 3rd spot on the day with the B Team 7th and C Team 9th overall and our incomplete team also took vital points away from other teams, all this has given them a fighting chance of staying in Division 1 next season – well done all!
| Pos Num. | Name | Club | Race Time | Pack | Cat | Actual Time |
| 9 | Hazel Bough | (1) Elswick Harriers | 34:34 | S | FV45 | 34:34 |
| 15 | Justina Heslop | (1) Elswick Harriers | 35:36 | F | FV40 | 30:36 |
| 24 | Rachel Dodds | (1) Elswick Harriers | 36:10 | M | Fsen | 33:50 |
| 30 | Louise Allen | (1) Elswick Harriers | 36:52 | S | FV50 | 36:52 |
| 42 | Sara Blight | (1) Elswick Harriers | 37:29 | S | FV45 | 37:29 |
| 54 | Mary Hall | (1) Elswick Harriers | 37:43 | S | FV45 | 37:43 |
| 55 | Judith Nutt | (1) Elswick Harriers | 37:46 | F | FV45 | 32:46 |
| 59 | Felicity Smith | (1) Elswick Harriers | 37:55 | F | FV45 | 32:55 |
| 73 | Gillian Johnson | (1) Elswick Harriers | 38:18 | M | FV35 | 35:58 |
| 95 | Kisi Hardman | (1) Elswick Harriers | 38:49 | S | Fsen | 38:49 |
| 193 | Laura Shepherdson | (1) Elswick Harriers | 42:12 | S | FV40 | 42:12 |
| 206 | Andrea Banner | (1) Elswick Harriers | 42:46 | F | FV50 | 37:46 |
| 209 | Caroline Johnson | (1) Elswick Harriers | 42:55 | S | FV40 | 42:55 |
| 217 | Caroline Lienard | (1) Elswick Harriers | 43:37 | S | FV50 | 43:37 |
Our men are in a different position as we’re challenging for promotion and we have put ourselves in with a good chance with a 1st place finish on the day.
We had 15 starters with 14 finishing – Joh, let’s hope you’re feeling better soon. 6 per team counting for the men; our A Team finishing 1st on the day with the remaining runners pushing other competing teams down the pecking order.
We had Stephen Dobson making his debut in the XC and Eric Lewis returning to XC for the first time in while; we knew we had a good team for the day. Big shout out to Danny Spoor who give up his match ticket for a fun day out in the mud.
Star of the show Scott Brady who led our team home and was rewarded with a promotion to the medium pack, Danny running from the fast pack powered round the course to come home as our 2nd counter, Jonny and Chris running from the medium pack were close behind then old timers Ben and Iain made up the scoring team.
| Pos | Name | Club | Race Time | Pack | Cat | Actual Time |
| 27 | Scott Brady | (2) Elswick Harriers | 45:58 | S | MV35 | 45:58 |
| 61 | Daniel Spoor | (2) Elswick Harriers | 47:36 | F | Msen | 42:36 |
| 64 | Jonathan Rewcastle | (2) Elswick Harriers | 47:42 | M | Msen | 45:12 |
| 75 | Christopher Mason | (2) Elswick Harriers | 47:58 | M | Msen | 45:28 |
| 117 | Ben Hall | (2) Elswick Harriers | 49:13 | S | MV40 | 49:13 |
| 162 | Iain Hardy | (2) Elswick Harriers | 50:15 | S | MV55 | 50:15 |
| 169 | Stephen Dobson | (2) Elswick Harriers | 50:35 | S | Msen | 50:35 |
| 206 | Roland Brown | (2) Elswick Harriers | 51:36 | S | MV50 | 51:36 |
| 212 | Lee Coulson | (2) Elswick Harriers | 51:51 | S | MV45 | 51:51 |
| 243 | Mike Russell | (2) Elswick Harriers | 53:07 | M | MV55 | 50:37 |
| 283 | David Jones | (2) Elswick Harriers | 55:52 | S | MV40 | 55:52 |
| 321 | Grant Henderson | (2) Elswick Harriers | 58:41 | S | MV45 | 58:41 |
| 377 | Eric Lewis | (2) Elswick Harriers | 64:15 | S | MV60 | 64:15 |
| 408 | Peter Jobson | (2) Elswick Harriers | 75:44 | S | MV60 | 75:44 |
With two fixtures to go, both our men and women need all that can run running in the remaining fixtures to help secure our places and keep/get us into Division 1.
It’s such good fun and inspiring watching our athletes battle the conditions, our amazing juniors always setting the bar high for us adults to follow. So, if you can run, pop along and if you can’t run, come and support. It really is a good day out (advisable to car share where possible as parking can be limited or awkward)!
Middlesbrough Half Marathon
Sunday saw a lovely crisp morning, ideal for racing.
Luke Hillard was I action and ran a superb race to come home in a time of 72 minutes – an excellent run and new PB for Luke.
Click for full results. (not yet available)
Bollihope Carrs Fell Race
James Sunley in ultra training mode took on the Bollihope Fell Race, in full winter conditions on high ground the route was tough.
James competed the course in 1.14, finishing 13th overall.
Call out for volunteers:
Our Good Friday Relays are fast approaching so we’ll be asking for helpers – if you’re free Good Frida, please let us know as we need plenty marshals to ensure the event is safe and successful – watch out for a facebook post soon.
Future Fixtures:
With two XC fixtures still to go of the season, our men’s team have a chance of getting promoted and women are in danger of relegation from Division 1 so we need a big turnout.
17/3 Lambton
13/4 April
If you’re not already registered and want to run let me know.
Relays:
29th March – GFR (we need runners and helpers for our relays)
8th May – Wallsend (limited to 10 teams per club)
Presentation night:
23rd March – St James’ Park (see Mikes post on facebook)
Club Champs:
April – Blyth 10km entries are open and selling fast
May – Pier to Pier Sold out but transfers are allowed
Track and Field:
Athletics Senior league fixtures – see Eric for more information…
Match 1: 20th April Shildon (Saturday)
Match 2: 18th May Whitley Bay (Saturday)
Match 3: 29th June Morpeth (Saturday)
Match 4: 14th July Shildon (Sunday)
