Weekly race round up – 16th to 22nd September 2024

Saturday 21 September – Open and North East Counties (NECAA) Pentathlon incorporating the North East Masters 10,000m championship

Marking the conclusion of the outdoor track and field season, a trio of masters’ athletes took part in the NECAA athletics event at Monkton Stadium in Jarrow. Our leading multi discipline athletes Eric Lewis and Grant Henderson took on the discus, long jump, 200m, javelin and finished the day with the 1500m finishing fifth and sixth in times of 5.46 (Grant) and 6.15 (Eric). They were both rewarded with gold medals in their age categories (V60 and V45 respectively). Sticking to running, Mike Russell competed in the 10,000m masters’ championship – he achieved a V55 gold medal in a time of 39.54. Their junior teammate Ayla Blight also achieved a gold medal in the junior pentathlon, under 13 girls’ category. Fantastic performances in chilly conditions – well done all.

Click for 10km results

Click for Pentathlon results

Cow Shed Backyard Ultra, Stocksfield

Since becoming a senior, eighteen year old Callum Eldridge has wasted no time to increase his mileage and tackle longer races. Not content with 10kms or half marathons, Callum took on the Cow Shed Backyard Ultra based at Wheelbirks Ice

cream Parlour, Stocksfield. The format of this multi terrain race is to complete a circuit of 4.1 miles every hour starting on the hour for as long as possible. The last man/ woman running is the winner and everyone else is DNF. The race replicates the format of Big’s Backyard Ultra based in America, in which the record is a massive 108 hours. As I was getting ready to flop into bed, I saw that Callum had bailed out at the seventh hour having completed seven circuits of 4.16 miles – 29.12 miles. Callum is clearly a determined and super fit young man and is making the most of being back on terra firma after spending three months at sea earlier this year. Very impressive performance Callum.

Click for more info and results

Sunday 22 September 2024

European Triathlon Championships, Vichy, France

Two of our talented Bell brothers travelled to Vichy, France to represent GB in these age group championships. Both competed in the sprint distance event V40 category having gained qualification in sprint events held in the UK. It’s quite an achievement to gain qualification for these events and a thrill to wear all the GB kit.

Swimming in choppy water, Andrew chose to conserve some energy on the bike by slowing down to sit snugly with a large group of competitors leaving Adam (who adores hardcore, hilly rides), to battle further ahead in more exposed circumstances, with only three other cyclists for company. Andrew achieved the fastest run in their race, but this wasn’t enough to beat Adam who finished just 25 seconds quicker overall.

A wonderful experience for Adam and Andrew – congratulations and well to both.

Click for full results

Iron Man Wales

I’ve lost count of how many of these things Mark Turnbull has done. Despite a terrifying experience last year in Lanzarote when he had to be pulled from the water suffering from a lung problem, he competed a month later in Bolton and has now completed the Wales edition of this worldwide event.

Tracked closely by fellow Iron Man Rob Lambert, we were kept abreast of Mark’s progress during the day whilst he tackled the 3800m swim, 112 mile cycle ride and 26.2 mile run. Mark smashed it yet again and finished in 11.39.37 taking first place in the M55-59 age category.

Mark, just in case you need reminding, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN.

Click for full results

Redcar Running Festival – Half Marathon, 10km and 5km

Three representatives of Elswick took part in the half marathon – a great alternative to the GNR if you couldn’t take part in that; although in Susanne Stephenson’s case, she treated them as complementary events and finished Redcar Half in 1.34.54 taking a minute off her GNR time. She is an Iron Woman! It’s got to be Jude Nutt’s favourite race distance – she rattled off yet another impressive half marathon in 1.29.16. Martin Connelly was also papped on the course but unfortunately wasn’t able to finish the race. However, it’s inspired Martin to get back to our training nights (no excuses now Martin!) once he returns from his holidays.