Monday 3 August
NEMAA track and field league – Monkton Stadium, Jarrow
The final fixture in this series. It’s been heartening to see increasing numbers of Elswick members taking part in this league which is specifically for athletes age 35 and over. It is described as being relaxed and most welcoming and is a perfect environment for veteran athletes to test their speed and fitness in their chosen events and to compete on a fair level.
Sad then that it was the very last fixture that Grant Henderson could participate in. Grant was a near professional javelin thrower in his youth before he turned professional in rugby. He has reveled in taking up throwing again in his forties and has been a regular competitor in the NESDL, taking on the discus, shot, javelin, long jump and high jump. As he and his family are returning to their native South Africa in the autumn, he was determined to participate in the final NEMAA event, and he did so with finesse.
Grant was first in the discus, throwing a PB distance of 35.21m. Eric Lewis was 8th with 30.66m and Su Lewis was 13th with 18m. Grant also finished first in the shot putt with another PB distance of 10.46m.
In the 200m, Ibraheem was fourth with a season’s best time of 28.2s and Chris Snook was fifth with a PB of 33.4s. In the 800m, there were three PBs – Justin Durham in 2.25s (4th), Simon Allen 2.33s, 8th and Paul Taylor 2.36s, 12th. Multi distance runner Ibraheem finished in an impressive 2.41, 15th.
Eric Lewis, ever keen to expand his repertoire of events, achieved a distance of 7.88m in the triple jump.
Well done to our athletes for these impressive results, which prove you’re never too old to get involved with track and field disciplines! And wishing Grant and his family the very best of luck for their future life in South Africa. Grant will be a huge loss to us, but hopefully a huge gain for an athletics club in Cape Town.
Wednesday 5 August – Quayside 5km and 10km, RunThrough
Another mid-week road race on the Quayside. Four women took to the 5k distance and achieved very pleasing times on this relatively flat course. Gill Manford was first home in 19.23 ,3rd V40; Mary Hall ran 22.30, 5th V45; Lindsey Grant 22.32, 4th V50 and Joanne Forster 24.12, 9th V40. Chris Coulson of Morpeth Harriers was the fastest maan in 14.17 and the fastest woman was Emily H. Kearney of Warriors Pentathlon and AC in 15.38.
In the 10km, Maddison Carr was the first under 18 in an impressive time of 37.57; David Allan ran 39.53, 7thV40; relative newcomer Brad Simpson 40.46, 3rd V60; Jack Gordon 41.25 (37th senior) and Becca Connelly 46.28, 12th senior. The winning times were 32.56 by Liam McDonogh of Alnwick and 36.00 by Elizabeth Allen of Victoria Park and Tower Hamlets.
Well done to our nine athletes for running so well in such a competitive event.
Friday 7 August – Blyth DK 1 mile race, Blyth Harriers
Held on the first Friday of each month, this summer series of six 1-mile races are a great test of your short(er) distance speed. The course has been precisely measured, and your results will be officially recorded on Power of Ten. The field is seeded according to estimated times and is set off in five waves. The times are collated over the series to provide a leader board. Currently, the fastest male of the season (Ruari MacNeil, Heaton Harriers) ran 4.30 and the fastest female (Laura Chapman, Jesmond Joggers) ran 5.19.
Six of our members took to the promenade of Blyth for the fifth race. Well done to the jack of all distances Ibraheem (from the 100m to the Wall extraordinaire) (5.44), Kisi Hardman (6.21), Dave Jones (5.26), Aiden Jones (5.00), Lynne Michelson (7.05) and Kim Matthews (7.43).
As well as providing you with a speed session, the race is a perfect aperitif before a fish and chips dinner. The last race in the series will take place on 4 September. It only costs c.£7 for the whole series of races. For full details and the results:
Saturday 7 August – Prudhoe Park Run
It’s been a while since we had a social Elswick Park Run, and an upcoming wedding was the perfect opportunity to resurrect this tradition. On a cold winter’s night, at Warburton’s industrial estate, Danny Spoor and Eden Ratcliffe met whilst training with Tom Hanson’s group. Four years later, continuing the running theme, they invited their athletic friends to join them for a pre-wedding Park Run celebration. Like any wedding, there were two families – Eden’s Blaydon friends and Danny’s Elswick posse, coming together for a 5k and cake. It was a lovely gathering – thanks to mother of the bride for organizing the guests and and the cake. Best wishes to Danny and Eden for the forthcoming wedding celebration in Italy and for your future life together.
Sunday 8 August – The Big Lime Triathlons, Hartlepool, Wild Deer Events
No weekend in the summer would be complete without a triathlon. Chris Pearce and Bella Arnott travelled to Hartlepool for the standard distance and sprint distance triathlons respectively. The swim takes place in the marina, followed by the cycle around Seaton Carew and finally the run along the promenade.
Chris completed the 1,500m swim in 24.03, the 40km cycle in 1.17.43 and the 10km run in 46.45 in spite of a sore achilles. His overall finish time (including transitions) was 2.31.45 putting him in 17th position overall and fifth in the V50 category. Bella swam 750m in 12.46, cycled 20km in 43.38 and ran 5km in 25.51 providing an overall time of 1.24.43, second V50 woman.