Hosted by Elswick Harriers : Newburn Riverside Business Park
New race routes for all age groups and good weather greeted 2025 participants. A first for the relays
was the introduction of chip timing.
A very welcome addition to the event was a collaboration from Adidas and national sports group Start
Fitness. An adidas race shoe try on provision available to runners.
All results can be found using this link here > Good Friday Relays
Juniors
At 9am the first race took place, a combined Under 11’s boys and girls one mile run. Winners were
Alex Coulson NSP 6.00 mins and Nellie Nelson NSP 6.14 taking gold medals -> Results
At 9.15am saw the combined 11 and 12’s age group race. A 1.5-mile route. Winners Noah Penfold NSP
in 7.44 and Ada Penfold NSP in 8.20 taking gold medals -> Results
At 9.30am saw the combined 13’s and 14’s age group race. Winners George Bryce Blyth AC in 7.34
and Heidi Wilkinson Morpeth AC in 8.41 taking gold medals -> Results
Just under 200 junior athletes across three good, spirited competition was a superb way to start of the
day’s racing.
The spectators turned out in full, which made for a fine, exciting run in to the finish line –
Oh yes! There was some noise indeed!
Senior and Vet Women
At 9.45am saw the first leg athletes of the women’s race take to the start line.
Three athletes per team running a revised 2.1 mile out and back course. Just over 120 teams took to
the start line with an excellent diverse number of age group athletes right across the board.
The fastest team was Birtley AC with a team time of 34.37. The fastest time of the day went to two
athletes: Elswick Harriers Sophie Pikett and Birtley’s Lydia Turner both recording times of 10.50.
Congratulations to both athletes and to the team Birtley AC.
-> Results
Senior and Vet Men
Finally at 10.50am the mens race.
Just over 120 teams took part on the same revised 2.1-mile course. Four athletes per team. In terms of
the distribution of age group categories, the men’s were similar to that of the womens teams.
An exciting last leg for Gateshead AC’s anchor leg and elite athlete Callum Johnson. Callum posted the
2nd fastest time of the day (9.09) to run down a 30 second deficit and take the win for Gateshead AC
with a team time of 39.19. Congratulations to Gateshead AC!
The fastest time of the day went to Cameron Allan from Houghton Harriers with a time of 9.06. A superb run indeed!
-> Results
Three hours of spirited, competitive racing, the 2025 Good Friday Relays were brought to a close. Post race, the womens and mens awards were informally announced and distributed by Bill Mc Guirk.
On behalf of Elswick Harriers, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Paul Murphy, Mr. Darren Bennett and Ms. Ashley Palmer for ensuring our event could take place. It had been a difficult and upsetting week in the run up to Good Friday.
My sincere thanks to Katy Clark from Naylors Gavin Black and the NHS for the Curve Premises.
Thank you to Julie & Graham from Chip Timing company WhatsMyTime
Thank you to Start Fitness and Adidas for adding something unique and special to the club’s event.
Finally: the support and on the day help of every marshal from our club, you were all superb throughout.
Elswick Harriers can look towards 2026 when the relays will celebrate it’s 60-year anniversary.
We’ll see you on the start line on Friday 3rd April 2026.
Photos Credit: Mr. Dave Hewitson at http://www.sportsforallpics.co.uk