Hexham Hobble
Jon Bateman took to the fells for the popular Hexham Hobble – in his NFR vest he ran well to finish 28th over the challenging course.
The Cheviot Goat
Our very own mountain goat was back in action and took on one of the biggest challenges around, a tough, self-navigated 55-mile winter trail running ultra marathon through the wild Cheviot Hills on the English/Scottish border. I don’t think James had snow to deal with but the wet Cheviot bogs, poor visibility and cold winds would be enough to stop most people in their tracks.
James battled through to finish in 19 hours 42 minute!
North East XC Championships
Cross Country was back and we had teams in both the senior women’s and men’s races with the women finishing 8th and men 10th.
In the under 20s Imogen Bungay ran brilliantly to claim 3rd place. Madison Carr took part in his first championship race finishing in the u17s finishing 29th and on his XC debut, Dan Milton had great run to finishing 26th in the senior men’s race.
Run to the Rising Sun
It was an early start for Mary Hall and Joanne Webber as they took on the 10km route around the Rising Sun Country Park. Starting at 7am, the race starts in the dark with the sun coming up as the run takes place.
Mary ran well to finish 3rd in her age category, Joanne unfortunately took a wrong turn and ran an extra half mile before getting back on track. Both were rewarded with a hot coffee at the end…
Trail Dog Cain Cross
Felicty Smith and Jayne Cuskern went for something different, with dogs in tow they took on the Druridge Bay Cain Cross race.
With race distances of 6.5km or 12.5km pick from they both took on the 6.5km race.
2026/2027 Club Championships – early notice
We’ve reduced the number of races slightly, included an internal race (helpers might be required), and hoping to have the Jelly T (Tynedale’s 10 miler) back.
If any races are cancelled we’ll try and find a suitable replacement or hold an internal race.
Races:
*March – Cowbell (5km) if no XC
April – Blyth (10k)
**May – Internal (3km or 5km TBC)
June – Rest
July – Sunderland (5km)
August – Jelly T (10 miles)
September – Rest
October – Rest – use for cancellations
November – Heaton Memorial (10km)
December – Saltwell (10km)
January – Rest
February – Sherman Cup/Davision Shield (off road)
26/27 Rules: Best 2 5km, 2 10km, 1 long/off road
Note: if a suitable like for like race can not be found, our replacement race will be ‘assumed’ the category in which it replaced i.e. an internal 5km replaces a 10 mile run, the replacement 5km race will count for the ‘long run’ points/standings.
*If Cowbell clashes with XC (very likely) we do a 3km track on a Saturday in May or June, date to be confirmed.
**If Cowbell goes ahead, we change the May 5km to a 3km on the track.
***Watergate is a popular 5km which we can consider for a backup race
Information Notice:
Track and Field Training – Saturday’s at Wentworth
Andrea, Simon and others continue to hold track and field sessions on Saturday morning at Wentworth Leisure Centre.
There’s lots of events to try, all supported by our wonderful coaches, it’s a perfect introduction to track and field and boost that speed for the road events.
Open to all ages, members and nonmembers, everyone is welcome so please don’t be shy give it a try… If you want more information, feel free to ask any of the coaches. All we ask for is £2.50 donation, paid online before or after you take part.
Sunday Long Run
A reminder we have two regular groups running from the leisure centre on a Sunday heading out for long social runs. Everyone is welcome to these, even nonmembers, so if you have family or friends that wants company on a long run bring them down. Again, speak to your coaches for more information.
Future Fixtures:
Relays
1st November – English XC Relay (Mansfield)
2nd November – Norman Woodcocks (Road)
Cross Country – NEHL Fixtures
Winter is coming…so we’ll be looking to register people for the forthcoming NEHL season. Let me or Felicity know if you want to be registered.
SAT 27-SEP-25 Thornley Hall Farm
SUN 12-OCT-25 Druridge Bay Country Park
SAT 25-OCT-25 Lambton Estate
SUN 23-NOV-25 Wrekenton
SAT 17 or SUN 18-JAN-26 Lemington
SAT 31-JAN-26 Temple Park
SAT 28-FEB-26 Alnwick Castle Pastures
SAT 21-MAR-26 Eltringham Farm
NOTE: Dates are subject to change…
XC Championships Races
SAT 13-DEC-25 North Eastern Champs – Middlesbrough
SAT 24-JAN-26 Northern XC Champs – Pontefract TBC
SAT 21-FEB-26 National XC Champs – Sedgefield
Club Champs:
15th March – Cowbell 5km – COMPLETED/RESULTS
6th April – Blyth (10k) – COMPLETED/RESULTS
18th May – Pier to Pier (off road) – COMPETED/RESULTS
June – Rest
2nd July – Pie and Peas (10km) – COMPETED/RESULTS
10th July – Sunderland (5km) – COMPLETED/RESULTS
August – Watergate (5km) – Completed – click for results
September – Rest
October – to be used if any fixtures are cancelled
9th November – Heaton Memorial (10km) – COMPLETED CLICK FOR RESULTS
16th November – Gibside Fruit Bowl (off road) – COMPLETED: CLICK FOR RESULTS
January – Rest
February – Sherman Cup/Davison Shield (off road)
We’ll look to add an internal race (probably a 5km) if any races are cancelled.
Rules:
best x2 results from each race category (5km, 10km and off road)
Useful website for races: http://www.northeastraces.com