Saturday 29th January 2022
Northern Athletics XC Championships @ Pontefract Racecourse
No tents allowed!!! So that paints a picture!!!
Thank you to storm Malik making a guest appearance bringing strong westerly winds which certainly made things interesting. During the travel down we saw many lorries laid on their side due to strong winds which caused tail backs, was very thankful everyone stayed safe and arrived in good time to run their races.
With Xscape snowzone towering over the M62 our fine ladies ran 2 laps whilst our keen gents ran 3 laps on dry grassland with only 3 short bumps on each lap with a gradual long incline up to the start of the next lap or the long straight to the finish line. There were sections against the wind which were energy sapping however watching the ladies around certain sections they certainly used the faster stretches to their advantage and dug deep on those tough sections.
After a fast wide stampede start in both the ladies and male races our runners settled into the grove in challenging conditions. Hitting the last lap our runners/teams looked comfortable and relaxed which helped our ladies team finish in 9th place in which British Olympic triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown who picked up a gold and silver medal in Tokyo came 3rd. During the mens race on the switch backs around the course with the support of our ladies around the course it was evident that our team of males were all working hard and doing the best they could on the day.
We have an amazing bunch of runners at Elswick Harriers & moral is high and the captains couldn’t be more proud of the effort they all give. A great day out led by yet again by an amazing team of officials and volunteers, thanks to Northern Athletics for organising especially setting up and dismantling the course.
Womens
Field size 262
9th team from 33 complete teams of 4 with many teams incomplete.
28th Amy Fuller 35.21
51st Katartina Bonner 36.40
60th Judith Nutt 37.23
102nd Andrea Banner 40.23
https://results.sporthive.com/events/6892423926133834496/races/480942
Mens
Field size 517
36th team from 39 complete teams of 6 with many teams incomplete.
273rd Jonathan Rewcastle 55.13
304th Richard Houghton 56.23
371st Paul Taylor 59.01
374th Mike Russell 59.03
418th Peter Sloan 1.01.36
475th Robert Lambert 1.07.16
? Tom Hanson ? ran without a chip
509th Robert Wilson 1.20.18
https://results.sporthive.com/events/6892423926133834496/races/480943
Sunday 30th January 2022
Northumberland Beach Trail Runs @ Druridge Bay hosted by Wild Deer Events.
The Trail Runs take in sections of path, trail, road, grass and the beach!!
Absolute brilliant runs from the Bell brothers in the 10k and David Hodgson in the half. Having ran various events around the Druridge Bay area over the years these runs would have been challenging and it becomes mind over matter to reach the finish line, huge kudos to the three of you and brilliant to see Elswick yet again on the podium.
10k
Field size 223
1st Andrew Bell 37.00
3rd Adam Bell 39.44 & 1st V40
http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16576&RId=6157&EId=1
Half Marathon
Field size 170
113th David Hodgson 2.07.18
http://www.timingupnorthresults.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16576&RId=6157&EId=6
