Saturday 6 February
North East Masters Cross Country Championships – Rising Sun Country Park, Wallsend
NEMAA is a voluntary body providing an array of competitions in the north east for athletes aged 35 and above. A small annual subscription is payable in January, which grants an athlete eligibility to qualify for prizes in the NEMAA competitions, including those which are incorporated into standard open events such as the Heaton Memorial 10km road race. Athletes run against their age peers in five or ten year age group categories on an individual basis and as teams.
Elswick has a very strong squad of veteran runners – with tactical submission of entries, we can field very strong teams and individuals, as demonstrated at the Cross Country Championship on Saturday. The course at Rising Sun Country Park is challenging at the best of times, but with the relentless rain we have experienced over the last fortnight, the participants were guaranteed the added difficulty of mud and swamps.
The women’s race and the over 65 men’s race opened the proceedings. Yet more success for David Walton who claimed first place in the V65 category in a time of 26.39. Having run as a youth for Elswick, David only returned to running a few years ago and has clearly retained his fitness and form despite the passage of years since his last stint as an Elswick Harrier. He’s an inspirational runner and run leader for our senior Groups 1 and 2. In the same race Lynne Michelson claimed third place in the V60 category (33.50). Another over 60 athlete who is enjoying lots of success in her frequent race outings.
The second race of the day was for the men aged 35 to 59. Jon Bateman was first home for Elswick in a time of 37.13 taking sixth place in the V45 race. Not far behind was Mark Turnbull in 37.48 (4th V55). Roland Brown was fifth V50 in a time of 41.08. Assisting Mark in the team effort in the V55-64 team race, John Rippon (40.39, 4th V60) and Rob Lambert (41.47, 5th V60) completed the line of up three runners to claim first team prize.
All in all a very successful race for all of our participants who braved the incredibly wet conditions. Congratulations to all.
Full results can be found following the link below.
England Athletics North & Midlands Regional Winter Long Throws Championship, Leigh Sports Village, Leigh
New joiner to Elswick Chris Snook-Lumb made the trip to Leigh, near Manchester to participate in this two day throws event. Chris has a wealth of experience in long throws with a particular expertise in the hammer. As well as competing, he has coached many budding throwers and is keen to grow the number of long throwers in the north east to improve the level of competition in the area.
Chris threw a distance of 36.81 in his debut for Elswick. The first competitive throw of the year and a great start before the track and field season gets under way.
We look forward to seeing Chris training with Eric at the Wentworth track on Saturdays when he can hopefully instruct others in the art of the hammer. Welcome aboard Chris.