Race Round up 3 – 9 April 2023

Race Round up – 3 – 9 April 2023

Good Friday Relays – 7 April

At long last, we saw the return of the Good Friday Relays after a three-year absence. Unable to secure the use of the old venue and finding it impossible to find an alternative route closer to the race’s Newcastle birthplace, we ventured a little way into Northumberland to the Albermarle Barracks. Although the new venue had its shortcomings (no buildings, no power source, no toilets, a single lane access road), it did provide some super perks – a flat and safe off-road course with ample parking amidst the Northumberland countryside.

The early start did not deter the junior athletes who came out in force for the 1 mile and 1.5 mile races which began at 9.15. The race attracted 150 participants; 44 under 11s, 67 under 13s and 39 under 15s. The venue was perfect for hosting junior races.

The women were the first to trial the innovative chip timing batons when their 77-team relay race commenced shortly after 10am – three women per team, each competitor completing a 2.4 mile circuit. The race was won by a 1 minute 39 margin by North Shields Poly in 40.01, with Tyne Bridge Harriers in second place (41.40) and Gateshead in third place in 42.09. It was a close finish for fourth to sixth places, with only 6 seconds between them. Elswick senior A team of Imogen Bungay, Bella Russell and Sophie Pikett finished in sixth place in 42.40, just 3 seconds behind Morpeth. Sophie achieved the third fastest women’s leg.

Our Vet A team of Felicity Smith, Cath Lowes and Jude Nutt finished in 45.01 (14th) clinching the prize for second placed veteran team behind Tyne Bridge. In 24th place (6th vet team) were Joanne Brown, Sara “super sub” Blight, Andrea Banner in 46.40; in 36th place (50.18) were Bella Pearce, Gillian Johnson (making her Elswick relay debut), and Debbie Spoor; and in 46th (8th vet team) place (52.20) were Rachel Dodds (recovering from a month of lambing), Jayne Cuskern and Imogen King.

The four leg men’s relay race attracted 83 teams and was dominated by Morpeth, who took first and third team places in 45.06 and 45.11, with Sunderland in second place in 45.11. It was great to see our finest senior runners finish in ninth position in a time of 48.45 consisting of Lewis Liddle (11.36), Danny Spoor (12.35), Luke Hilliard (12.17) and Andrew Bell (12.07). These were super performances, and Luke was particularly impressive given he’d run Brighton Marathon the weekend before in a time of 2.37.

Five more male teams followed on. In 23rd place (53.33) were 15 year old Adam Robinson (13.32), Jonathan Rewcastle (13.17), Sean Mennim (13.20) and Scott Brady (13.14). Two places behind was our first vets team in 54.00. Richard Houghton (14.02), Andrew Ball (12.45), James Douglas (13.07) and Mike Russell (13.57) were ranked 5th vet team. This was Andrew’s last race in the red and white vest – our loss is Morpeth’s gain. Andrew’s contribution to the Elswick team and the committee as our welfare officer has been much appreciated and he’ll be missed.

Chris Pearce (14.07) led the way for our second vets team which finished 38th (11th vets team) in a time of 58.01 with David Jones, (14.19), Paul Taylor (14.39) and John Rippon (14.44) making his Elswick debut. In 53rd place our third senior team with 15 year old Bailey Shore taking on the first leg in 15.20, followed by just-turned veteran and last minute stand in runner Luke Pikett (14.14), James Sunley (16.08) and Steven Naylor (15.16). Last but not least, our third vets team of Rob Lambert (15.48), Mark McNally (17.21), Alan Thompson (15.24) and Peter Jobson (18.57) finished in 1.01.09 in 73rd place (28th vets team).

Congratulations Luke on the 40th birthday and well done Peter Jobson for getting to Albermarle Barracks – I want to know whether you managed to find a bus there or did you hitch a lift?
It is impressive that we were able to field five female teams and six male teams whilst also providing sufficient volunteers to help with the smooth running of the event.

Huge thanks go to Ben Hall and Graham Bell for the impeccable organisation. It takes a lot of meticulous planning to pull off any race event, especially when there are unknown factors like the use of the batons. They seemed to have been well received by the competitors and certainly produced accurate results. Thanks also to Simon’s brother for the free loan of the marquee and giving up his time to erect and dismantle it; and thanks to all the marshals on the course and those on car parking duty; and the lovely ladies on the registration desk. The event couldn’t have worked without you all.


North Tyneside 10k – Sunday 9th April

Not content with running on Good Friday, Daniel Spoor and Imogen Bungay turned out at the North Tyneside 10km to see how they would fare. This coastal race starts at the Parks sports Centre in North Shields than heads down to the Fish Quay before winding along the coast past Tynemouth Priory and Castle, Spanish City and St. Mary’s Lighthouse.

The winning time of 31.02 was achieved by Carl Smith of North Shields Poly, with Josh Blevins of Gateshead in second place (31.25) and Craig Gunn of Sunderland Harriers in third (32.18). Daniel finished in 35.39 (35th place), 14th senior male. North Shields Poly took the double win with Jacqueline Penn claiming first place in the women’s race in 36.41, followed by Sophie Marr of Tyne Bridge Harriers in 38.27. Imogen claimed third prize in the senior women’s race in a time of 38.37 (76th ). Lee Coulson must have been pleased with his time of 42.37 (30th V45) given his minimal training – he gives up his training time to coach the juniors. Shaun took the winner’s prize in the Connelly family, beating big brother Martin in a time of 46.11 (22nd V 55) with Martin finishing in 47.16 (28th V 55). An impressive third in the V60 women’s category was achieved by Kim Matthews in 52.23. A well-deserved result for Kim who has been battling with back troubles. Nigel Hollier, was ranked 11th out of 20 in the V70 category. What an impressive number of V70 runners. Our final runner was David Hodgson (V55) who completed the course in 1.00:41. Good to see David branching out from trail runs to take part in a road race.