Every year, Elswick Harriers hosts the Norman Woodcock Relays.
With everything this year has thrown at us we decided that, Covid or no Covid, we would find a way to make them happen regardless. It was an extra special event this year, as we had decided to raise money for the Pavilion Court Care home where Elswick Legend Colin Bolton lives.
With Covid making the traditional event untenable, we decided on a virtual event, open to running clubs near and far. Runners from clubs organised into teams of 3 whereby each runner would run a 2-mile effort socially distanced at a location of their own choice on or between Saturday 21st November to Saturday 28th November.
A total of 12 clubs took part which saw 124 complete teams and 377 individual runners engage in the popular event, which is normally held at Newcastle Racecourse in late November.
No prizes were on offer, however; it gave runners during lockdown 2 something to aim and strive for as relays are normally a popular event.
The top 3 teams were Tyne Bridge Harriers A, Elswick Harriers 1 and Heaton Harriers 2 with:
- Tom Charlton (Tyne Bridge Harriers) – fastest senior male leg 09:29,
- Amy Fuller (Elswick Harriers) – fastest senior female leg 11:29
- Paul O’Mara (Tyne Bridge Harriers) – fastest male v35+ leg 10:20
- Ellen Jeffreys (Tyne Bridge Harriers – fastest female v35+ leg 11:56.
As there was no entry fee a Just Giving fundraising page was created to raise funds for Pavilion Care Home located in Cowgate. An absolute staggering amount of £1147.00 has been kindly donated by clubs, runners and non-runners with the money going to upgrade the garden furniture that Colin uses as well as decorating the Dementia area within the care home.
The JustGiving page will remain open for the next week so its not too late to donate if you have not already done so.
We look forward to presenting the cheque to Pavilion Care Home with a photo opportunity shortly.
The club would like to say a massive thank you to all involved, we are truly thankful.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/elswickharriers-normanwoodcock-relays