Things are certainly hotting up in terms of races with lots going on over the last few weeks and plenty races starting to open their entires with some selling out within 24hrs.
A useful race website for finding local races is northeastraces.com.
Northern Cross Country Championships
Starting with last weekends XC championships at Tatton Park.
We had three athletes traveling down for the challenging course.
Jude Nutt was in fine form finishing 84th Lynne Michelson also ran finishing 195th.
John Rippon was in action for the men, he remembered to wear his correct number this time, finishing in 318th.
Druridge Bay Beach Trail Races
We had one athlete taking part, with three races to chose from. Andy Middleton opted for the 10km, finishing 75th overall.
NEMAA Cross Country Championships
John Rippon was in XC action again, the draw of running in muddy fields is too strong for John.
John was our sole athlete running on Saturday, putting in another cracking performance to finish 34th.
Click for race details and results
Scottish Masters Athletics Indoor Championships
Hazel Bough competed in her first indoor track event in Glasgow at the weekend.
A daunting task for our track star as she competed against some of the UKs top age graded athletes. Hazel performed amazing on the day doubling up in the 800m and 1500m races.
In the 800 meters, Hazel finished 2nd in her race in a super speedy time of 2.27.
In the 1500 meters, Hazel picked up more silverware finished 3rd in her race.
Davison Shield
Another great turnout for our women’s XC team, unfortunately, we couldn’t field three girls in the u17 category so might just miss out on the top prize.
Another tremendous run from Justina, leading the women home and finishing 2nd overall.
Rachel Dodds had a super run as our 2nd runner, Gillian paced the race very well and looked strong on the closing stages to be our 3rd runner home. Bella followed a few seconds behind. Heather and Kisi both making their debuts for the season had a race between themselves with Heather edging ahead in the closing stages. Similar story for Mary and Andrea, it was Andrea who out sprinted Mary in the final 150 meters.
It was fun to watch the individual ‘friendly’ battles – Caroline and Laura were also jostling for places, it was Laura that came out on top. Imogen and Lynne were at it on the first lap but Lynne managed to pull away on the last lap. Peter separated the sisters Imogen and Simone.
14 runners in total, a brilliant turn out.
Sherman Cup
With all age groups covered, our men and juniors have a good chance of picking up the cup. We’ll eagerly await the team results to be announced later in the week.
Our adult men were out in good numbers and put on a strong show. Callum, shortlisted for the Inter Counties team (huge well done Callum), a fantastic race too finishing 15th overall. Dave Allen was making his debut on the muddy fields saying at the end “it’s a bit different to the roads”… that it is Dave…!
Also making debuts for the season were Jonny Rewcastle, Simon Allen, Ben Patrick and Sean Mennim. It’s brilliant seeing Sean back at the club and racing with that infectious smile – great run also to be our 2nd finisher!
I hear Paul had to go hunting for a shoe in the mud, this didn’t deter him as he managed to make up for the lost time passing Simon on the third lap and catching Dave Allan with a canny sprint finish.
Cracking runs from Dave King and William Marsden, you’re both improving with every race! Good to see Steve Dobson back and running well, those trainers have never moved so quick…
Roland looked stronger the longer the race went on and was closing in on Simon, I heard him say he wished there was an extra lap – not sure if that’s ever been said about cross country… Mike and Dave Walton battled for position throughout, Mike moving passed on the last lap.
We then have John, running his 2nd XC of the weekend and 3rd in 7 days… Great strength and run from John!
A huge thank you to all our juniors (and parents), men and women’s for turning out in force, you’re all a credit to the club.
(team results will be posted on the NEHL through the week)
Please please please make every effort to make the final XC fixture on 1st March at Alnwick (nothing has been confirmed about the two cancelled fixtures). Both our men’s and women’s teams are at risk of relegation to division 2, a good turnout could secure our places in division 1.
We still have lots of numbers still to be collected so please come and run in the remaining fixtures to help us retain our places in the leagues. And, if anyone that isn’t registered and wants to take part, please let me know.
Check if you’re registered by clicking this link.
Information Notice:
15th Feb – NECAA Signals (Road) we’re taking names for the Signal Relays – if you would like to run comment on Felicity’s post on Facebook or speak to Felicity/Ben
The Pier to Pier sold out within 7 hours; keep an eye out on Facebook as numbers will become available over the coming months as transfers are allowed for this race.
Club Championship Race Change
A slight change to the club championships races – we’re bringing forward the start of the champs to include the Cowbell 5km.
The Cowbell 5km (entries now open) will replace our previously advertised internal 5km in October. The October slot will remain free and will be used if a scheduled race is cancelled or clashes with a XC.
Note: if the cancelled XC’s of Druridge Bay or Prudhoe are rearranged for a date close to this fixture we’ll revert back to the October Internal 5km.
Future Fixtures:
2024 North East Harrier League:
Saturday 1/3/25 Alnwick Castle we need everyone running!!
Sunday TBC – Druridge Bay
Saturday or Sunday TBC – Prudhoe
See facebook posts if you want to be registered or speak to Ben and Felicity.
Track and Field Fixtures:
North East Senior Development League:
Match 1: 26th April
Div 1 – Whitley Bay – North Shields Poly to host
Match 2: 17th May
Div 1 – Shildon – Darlington to host
Match 3: 15th June
Div 1 – Whitley Bay – Wallsend to host
Match 4: 19th July
Div 1 – Shildon – Gateshead to host
Speak to Eric Lewis, Ben or Felicity if you’re interested.
Relays
15th Feb – NECAA Signals (Road) see Felicity’s post on Facebook or speak to Felicty/Ben
30th March – Northern 6 & 12 Stage Relays – Redcar (Road)
18th April – Good Fridays (Road)
April – NEMAA Jarrow (Road)
April – Neptune (Mixed)
14th May – Wallsend (Road)
June – Weetslade (Road)
July/August – Gosforth (Road)
September – Farringdon (Trail)
November – Norman Woodcocks (Road)
Club Champs:
15th March – Cowbell 5km – Open now
6th April – Blyth (10k) – Open now
18th May – Pier to Pier (off road) – Sold out
June – Rest
2nd July – Pie and Peas (10km) – Click for updates
July – Sunderland (5km)
August – Watergate (5km)
September – Rest
October – to be used if any fixtures are cancelled
November – Heaton Memorial (10km)
November/December – Gibside Fruit Bowl (off road)
January – Rest
February – Sherman Cup/Davision Shield (off road)
We’ll look to add an internal race (probably a 5km) if any races are cancelled.
Rules:
best x2 results from each race category (5km, 10km and off road)
Useful website for races: http://www.northeastraces.com