Race Round Up 27th June to 3rd July 2022
Monday 27th June 2022
Anita Nott women’s only 5k Race hosted by Heaton Harriers
The route is an undulating course starting on Armstrong Bridge running through Jesmond Dene and into Armstrong and Heaton Parks finishing back on Armstrong Bridge.
Anita who was a member of Heaton Harriers for several years tragically lost her life in September 2006 whilst out on a training run. This race has always been well supported over the years and continues to thrive.
Andrea Banner talked about the evening and here’s what she had to say: “We had six runners in the race tonight. It’s the only all-female road race in the northeast, although there was one male runner, Anita Nott’s younger son.
It was a competitive field with lots of runners from Gateshead, North Shields Poly, Heaton and Jesmond Joggers to name a few clubs. Imogen finished in second place and was also winner of the under 17 prize. I won the V50 category prize. Gateshead won the team prize.
It’s a very friendly event with chocolate and a drink for all competitors, plus lots of prizes across the age categories from Under 17 to V70. We weren’t the only club to stay behind in the Dene for celebratory refreshments. We were celebrating Joanne’s 50th birthday- I think she’s started something, and we’ll gather again for drinks and nibbles after next year’s race”
Field size 341
2nd Imogen Bungay 18.57 and 1st u18 female
27th Andrea Banner 21.58 and 1st v50 female
43rd Lindsey Grant 22.58
74th Joanne Webber 24.11
75th Mary Hall 24.14
192nd Kate Taylor 28.06
http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16576&RId=6211
Saturday 2nd July 2022
Chevy Chase Hosted by Wooler Running Club
The 65th running of the event and as always, there is a limit of 300 competitors for the event. A 20-mile journey through some of the finest upland scenery in Northumberland. The route takes you deep into the heart of the “land of the far horizon”; you will summit both Cheviot 2676 feet / 815m and Hedgehope 2348 feet / 714m.
Runners have the unrestrained freedom of the hills; the route is unmarked, and you can choose your own path as long as the manned checkpoints are visited in the correct order. Only a short section is on road; the rest of the route follows tracks, footpaths, sheep paths and cross’s rough fell.
Here are a few words from some of our worthy competitors:
Mary Hall commented:
5 of team Elswick took on the annual Chevy Chase across the most beautiful Cheviot Hills and taking in Cheviot and Hedgehope.
The 20mile fell run starts in Wooler, with runners chasing the checkpoints around the course to make sure the cut off times are reached …. with a few hills thrown in! This year the weather proved challenging with the sun, wind and rain which highlights the need to carry your kit bag. Aside from being physically fit to take on the distance, you need inner strength and determination to finish this route when everything seems to hurt and congratulations to Ben Hall, Pete Dawson, Paul Taylor, Joanne Webber and Mary Hall for finishing you are all amazing.
Paul Taylor mentioned:
It was a race I was really looking forward to and it didn’t disappoint. Great day out running through the cheviots taking in the amazing views. It was a Very well organised event from start to finish.
I was unsure what to expect with it being my first fell race and was a little nervous before we set off from Wooler.
The route is very challenging with lots of climbs and descents as you take on the 2 highest points in Northumberland and the ground is very uneven for most of the 20 miles (I only fell over 3 or 4 times).
With being in the hills we had every possible type of weather – sun, rain, hail and some pretty gusty winds.
I would 100% recommend giving it a go if you like a challenge or just fancy something different.
If you’d asked me on the climb up hedgehope hill if I would ever do it again the answer would be no chance but after a rest and a beer I’ll definitely be back for another go at it!
Now I just need to try and get my legs working again.
Be good to get a few more from the club up there to run it. It’s a good day out and has a really friendly atmosphere.
Peter Dawson wrote:
Saturday 2nd July 2022 saw the 65th running of the Chevy Chase – Northumberland’s most popular fell race.
20 miles from and returning to Wooler Youth Hostel with over 4000 ft of ascent taking in 7 checkpoints including Cheviot and Hedgehope summits.
We were represented by 5 Elswick Harriers, unfortunately with some late withdrawals.
At the start it was mentioned that we were in for some rough weather at about midday. This proved to be the case and the rain/hail coupled with the wind made for some challenging conditions. The lads were well on the ascent of Cheviot – out came rain coats, hats and gloves. Moving to the decent the conditions improved with loss in elevation, thoughts turned to Mary and Joanne who being a few minutes behind unfortunately had to bear the brunt of the conditions for a lot more of the exposed climb than we did. Fortunately the marshals were on hand to provide assistance at the summit. They enjoyed a fun descent more by way of bottoms than feet.
Conditions returned to summer for the ascent of Hedgehope and with no set route or path, that was a good thing. The climb here was a lot more relaxed than that of Cheviot with plenty of chat as everybody found the most suitable routes for the groups they were with at the time.
A long slow undulating descent off Hedgehope welcomed some support and sugar sustenance from John and Malcolm at the Langlee Crags checkpoint.
Carey Burn didn’t seem as horrific as I remembered from last year, with just the final ascent up “Hell’s Path” to the final checkpoint before dropping back into Wooler to go.
The relaxing of covid rules meant there was a great post race atmosphere and award ceremony this year. Ben showed some fantastic descending skills throughout and posted a time of just outside 4h 20 min. My own time was also just under the 4h 30 min mark by a couple of seconds – almost thwarted by my fumbling of the dibber at the finish. Paul posted a very respectable time just outside 5 hours – his first run in this type of terrain with a lot of experience gained for the future. Joanne and Mary completed together just outside 5 h 45. Dependable pacing by both of them to smash each checkpoint cut off time with ease.
Field size 162
80th Ben Hall 4.22.27
86th Pete Dawson 4.29.55
129th Paul Taylor 5.01.52
148th Joanne Webber 5.47.12
149th Mary Hall 5.47.32
Sunday 3rd July 2022
Great North 10k hosted by Great Run Company
Words by Committee Member David Jones
On a bright and breezy morning down on the Quayside, I took on the Great North 10km on it’s new route, starting and finishing at the Baltic. The first 5km is fairly flat, heading out over the swing bridge and down towards Newcastle business park saw me complete 5k in 19.28. Coming back into a headwind and over the swing bridge to enter the final 4km on a slightly more undulating out and back before finishing back at the Baltic in a new PB time of 40:23. Well done to other Team Elswick finishers – you’re all awesome!
Field size
82nd David Jones 40.23
933rd Kate Taylor 55.24
989th Nigel Hollier 55.5
1426th Sarah Muparutsa 1.01.26
https://www.greatrun.org/results/1123/
