Race Round Up 13th June to 19th June 2022
Well that was hard to keep up with over the course of the week, what a brilliant energetic versatile bunch you all are.
Tuesday 14th June 2022
Elswick Harriers internal club championship 10-mile road race
Race 4 of our club championships was a handicapped start based on predicted finish times starting opposite the leisure and heading out on the riverside path through Wylam, Hagg Bank to Prudhoe Riverside Park and turning to retrace your steps to finish on the path just before hitting Blayney Row. Warm evening for our runners to endure with no water stations enroute with only each other to encourage and motivate. I must say the support for one another was brilliant as many runners were isolated which made it tough, even those who managed to stay within a group still found it tough in the heat. The encouragement demonstrated all evening and the support from Rob Wilson and Harry Matthews marshalling at the cattle grid gates along with determination from the runners was simply awesome which resulted in very strong runs from all. Thanks to Tom Hanson in pulling the night together along with timekeeping.
Field size 21
1st Danny Spoor 60.20
2nd Jonny Rewcastle 61.24
3rd Scott Brady 62.30
4th Sean Mennim 63.13
5th Mark Turnbull 63.22
6th Richard Houghton 65.32
7th Mike Russell 65.47
8th Paul Robinson 69.19
9th Iain Hardy 69.25
10th Ben Hall 70.01
11th Paul Taylor 70.05
12th Felicity Smith 70.57
13th Lee Coulson 71.43
14th Bella Pearce 75.48
15th Debbie Spoor 77.37
16th Rob Lambert 80.55
17th Joanne Webber 81.51
18th Mary Hall 82.28
19th Kim Mathews 87.11
20th Jane Cusken 89.14
21st Kate Taylor 98.13
Wednesday 15th June 2022
Newburn River Run Hosted by the awesome Elswick Harriers
An out and back 5 mile course starting from near the playpark using the newly laid flat tarmac path along the Wylam Waggon Way. Keeping to the North side of the river, runners returned down the Waggon Way and River Tyne Footpath towards the finish line.
Many of our members volunteered their time at this event across a variety of roles which ensured the smooth running of this event which was managed efficiently by Graham Bell, Ben Hall and David Jones. Members and non-members that helped on the night were Michelle Coleman, Harry Matthews, Kim Matthews, Mary Hall, David Hodgson, Daniel Nettle, Derek Nelson, Scott Brady, Andrea Dawn Banner, Joanne Webber and Malcolm, Jan Heslop, Ken Heslop, Val Wilson, Iain Hardy, Tom Hanson, Mike Russell, Mark Turnbull, Simon Louise Allen, Paul Taylor, Jayne Cuskern, Chris Pearce, Felicity Smith, Rob Wilson, Neil Carter, Gary Walsh, Lee Coulson and Liam Coulson.
Special mention to Malcolm Liddle as he used this race to make his Elswick debut, this was also his first race in years, hopefully many more to come.
Luke had a flyer again and admitted he again went off to fast but dug deep to hang on for that sub 27mins. Great to see Imogen and Jeffrey on the results list along with also men’s captain of Saltwell Harriers Riccardo Antico. Riccardo gathered a host of runners from Saltwell as it was his chosen event for their Male Captain’s Race. Riccardo told me that its one of his favourite races in Northeast in which he has ran it every year since he moved to the UK.
Field size 233
6th Luke Hilliard 26.58
136th Imogen King 39.15
166th Malcolm Liddle 42.56
226th Jeffrey Emmerson 51.30
Saturday 18th June 2022
Rat Race The Wall hosted by Rat Race Events
70 arduous miles from Carlisle Castle to Baltic Square Newcastle Upon Tyne in just 1 day. Having ran this event in 2015 and still managing to finish after I broke 3 metatarsals in my left foot I fully understand the depths that these ultra-marathon runners would have gone through, not only in training but also the day itself. Elswick every year always seem to have runners complete this event flowing Hadrian’s wall and this year own club treasurer Daniel Nettle and Micky Shore took on the challenge. A separate report written by Daniel and Micky is available to read.
Daniel Nettle 14hrs 35mins
Micky Shore 16hrs 03mins
Saturday 18th June 2022
NEMAA Track and Field Championships @ Monkton
Here are the words from Simon Allen about the very successful event. “There were very pleasant conditions for the Championships this year, sun and wind, but the stadium at Monkton is nicely sheltered.
Athletes over the age of 35 came from clubs across the north east to attempt their best efforts on the day to be recognised for all their hard work.
It’s a very relaxed atmosphere at NEMAA events, and this was no exception: no judgement, but lots of support.
Oddly, there wasn’t a big attendance this time, certainly fewer people than at the T&F League events, but those who did enter provided plenty of thrills and competition.
Elswick Harriers had 6 members there who all placed in their various events.
As always, Eric Lewis was the poster boy for giving everything a go, and came away with multiple medals. It was fabulous to see Harry Matthews battle through his post-covid situation to take the Gold in the M75 1500m. And in the same race, but different category, Kim Matthews achieved a silver.
Louise Allen continued her relentless drive for improvement in the 100m and 200m sprints. She achieved bronze in both but didn’t feel she did as well as she might have – there’s always another race Lou!
Simon Allen gave the 3000m Steeplechase another stab – there were only 2 runners, both in differing categories so he was guaranteed a win and got the M55 Gold – phew, what pressure.
Late in the day Melissa Bateson arrived to blast the 3000m with her usual precision – she was awarded a sweet Silver.
100m F50
Heat 1
3rd Louise Allen 16.00 & 3rd F50 female on the day
200m F50
Heat 1
3rd Louise Allen 33.29 & 3rd F50 female on the day
3000m F50
Heat 1
2nd Melissa Bateson 13.40 & 2nd F50 female on the day
1500m F60
Heat 1
2nd Kim Matthews 6.47 & 2nd F60 female on the day
3000m Steeple Chase M55
Heat 1
1st Simon Allen 13.06 & 1st M55 male on the day
100m Hurdles M60
Heat 1
1st Eric lewis 26.16 & 1st M60 male on the day
300m Hurdles M60
Heat 1
2nd Eric lewis 1.05 & 2nd M60 male on the day
Discus M60
2nd Eric lewis 22.84m & 2nd M60 male on the day
Hammer M60
2nd Eric lewis 1.05 & 2nd M60 male on the day
High Jump M60
2nd Eric lewis 1.10m & 2nd M60 male on the day
Javelin M60
2nd Eric lewis 21.99m & 2nd M60 male on the day
Long Jump M60
1st Eric lewis 3.64m & 1st M60 male on the day
1500m M75
1st Harry Matthews 9.15 & 1st M75 male on the day
http://harrierleague.com/tandf/nemaachamps2022/results.htm
Saturday 18th June 2022
Buckden Pike Fell Race organised by Barlick Fell Runners
Katarina on Strava stated “don’t think I have quite mastered the downhill part of fell running yet” Good to see her survive and enjoy her very first one with 1657ft of elevation gain over 3.97 miles finishing with a time of 50.55 with conditions being not too hot, dry underfoot however with a strong head wind on the top. This race was also a British, English and Yorkshire Senior & U23 Championship event.
Field size 100
56th Katarina Bonner 50.51
https://www.barlickfellrunners.org.uk/media/advkontent/results22/buckden_pike_women22.pdf
Sunday 19th June 2022
Run Northumberland Super-Fast 5k @ Ouston Airfield (Albarmarle Barracks) hosted by Run Nation
Organised to give runners the opportunity to set a new personal best on a fast and flat 5k 1 lap route.
Field size 31
6th Justin Durham 17.54 & 1st V40 male
https://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=16685&RId=361&EId=3
Sunday 19th June 2022
Penshaw Half Marathon hosted by Trail Outlaws
The Penshaw Half Marathon starts at the foot of Penshaw Hill. The route takes in beautiful trails along the North and South side of the River Wear, with great views along the river and its broad range of wildlife and wildfowl, before the fabulous finish on Penshaw Monument itself. And that’s not forgetting 1591 feet of ascent and 1469 of descent, therefore a very well done to Joanne Webber for taking on this challenge in prep for the Chevy Chase on Saturday 2nd July. Here are Joanne’s thoughts on this prep race: Hot and hilly also helped a fellow runner who had fallen which there were a few, It was more ok in terms of event, registration, toilets etc… however it was a real bottleneck right from the go get. Super tight single track and very stop start and couldn’t get much of a pace. I guess it’s just very different to a road race. Lots of climbing at the end to the monument. Beautiful scenery on route 🤩👍💪🏽
Field size 180
104th Joanne Webber 2.20.50 & 2nd V50 lady and 15th female overall
https://www.trailoutlaws.com/penshaw-hm-results-2022
Sunday 19th June 2022
The Northumbrian @ Kielder hosted by Events of the North
A full and half-distance iron distance triathlon which included a team format in and around the stunning and challenging Kielder Water and Forest.
The ultimate endurance test will be open to a limited number of individuals and teams to conquer the beautiful waters, forests and terrain that give Northumberland and Kielder its unique character. The first edition of an event which combines scenery, fortitude, adventure, and achievement. Everything it takes to be recognised as a NORTHUMBRIAN.
Amy Fuller competed in a team that comprised of a swimmer 1.2 miles, cyclist 56 miles and a runner 13.1 miles. Her team named Team Trirun Performance were one of 12 teams and were the 1st female team behind 3 teams comprising of all men. Amy ran the half marathon distance for the team which finished with a combined time of 5.34.34 Amy ran her leg in a brilliant time of 1.31.33. Amy mastered the huge hills on the trails on a very hot day in Northumberland and made sure she took on fluid every 3 miles. Excellent day at the office Amy!
Sunday 19th June 2022
A Day in the Lakes Triathlon @ Ullswater hosted by TriHard
A cool, blustery morning welcomed the 200 or so brave souls at Ullswater for the ‘Day in the Lakes’ triathlon competing over two distances; a rather novel 1/4 Ironman and the more traditional ‘middle distance’ or 1/2 Ironman. Adam and Mike were set for the somewhat-optimistically-titled middle distance race which, at Pooley Bridge, consisted of a 2100m swim, a 56m bike and concluding with a half marathon. What makes this race a bit more spicy is the fact that that bike course undulates up over 4000ft whilst the run route rises into the Ullswater hills in excess of 1400ft. To put this in perspective, the GNR climbs c. 440ft and is, of course, an overall downhill run.
Adam took advantage of his winter/spring swim training and finished the swim in 43mins, putting him in the top third. As is the norm, Mike found himself surrounded by breaststrokers and trailed in in around 52mins, leaving him 3/4 down the field. Onto the bike, Adam loves the hills, maintained an impressive 19mph and finished in just under 3 hours. Mike took advantage of his post-Mont Ventoux, new found, climbing strength and matched Adam for time. Both had moved significantly up the field, Adam was now in the top 15 and Mike around 25th.
The run cruelly starts with a steep 170m climb up to the stone circle that lies to the south west of Pooley Bridge. Adam nursed his injury-prone calf up the climb but confidence-established, ‘enjoyed’ the stunning, undulating run along Ullswater culminating in a 1.53 half. Mike enjoyed getting off the tri bike and set off after the big, powerful guys, resulting in a 1.45 half and making up numerous places.
Amazingly after 5 3/4 hours of racing our two Harriers finished less than 2 minutes apart, with Adam in 12th (3rd V40) and Mike in 13th (1st V50). Both testify to being as stiff as a board this morning.
Half Ironman Distance field size 81
12th Adam Bell 5.44.26 and 3rd V40 male
2100m open water swim – time 44.40
T1 – 1.37
56 mile road cycling with an elevation gain of 4025ft –time 3.00.51
T2 – 2.08
13.20 miles multi terrain run with an elevation of 1440ft – time 1.55.09
13th Mike Russell 5.46.06 and 1st V50 male
2100m open water swim – time 52.00
T1 1.08
56 mile road cycling with an elevation gain of 4025ft –time 3.04.38
T2 1.28
13.20 miles multi terrain run with an elevation of 1440ft – time 1.46.53
http://results.smartiming.co.uk/view-race/trihardadayinthelakeshalfiron22/