It’s been a very busy 7 days for our members with some travelling far and wide to compete.
The week started in style with Imogen Bungay who was representing GBR and competing in her first international event at the World Aquathlon Championships in Ibiza. She stayed away from the night clubs but danced her way to an amazing 2nd place in the U20 female category! Multitalented Imogen completed the 1km (which turned out to be 1.2km) open water swim in 16.02 then knocked out a 19.10 5km run – an amazing experience for Imogen and what talent, very well done Imogen!
Also clocking up the miles was Luke Hilliard; our frequent traveller was down on the South Coast for the Godrevy 10km. A very mixed terrain event, the route took him through the golden sands of Gwithian beach and into the dunes, along the coastal path then a dip into the sea itself. Luke is always up for the challenge and was rewarded with a 1st place. Another brilliant performance from Luke – well done!
Closer to home, 3 members took on the challenging the Wild Deer Gibside 10km. A lovely evening for the run around the beautiful Gibside estate. Richard, Heather and James were rewarded with one of the Wild Deer’s famous medals for their efforts, with Heather finishing 3rd female – well done all!
Staying in the North East we had a great turnout for the “oldies” relays. An annual event that sees runners aged 35+ compete in the NEMAA Relay Championships at Bedeswell Park – a well organised and fun event. We fielded 7 teams and it was our v45 ladies who took the bragging rights home yet again finishing 6th place overall, 5th female team and 3rd in their category in the first race of the day, brilliant work by Andrea, Joanne and Felicity – Joanne and Felicity posting 3rd fastest time their age categories. They were closely followed by our v35 team which saw a very impressive debut for Gillian Johnson and the return to relay running for Melissa Bateson, with first leg runner Cath Lowes clocking the 3rd time on the day in her age category. Unfortunately, our 3rd female team was incomplete following a last minute withdrawal, I hope that didn’t take anything away from the experience as Sarah Muparutsa impressed in her first relay outing.
Our men’s section saw 4 strong teams fighting each other for places – led home by the v35 team thanks to 3 very impressive runs by Scott, Paul and Andy, next up was our v50 team featuring a very tired Mike Russell – he’s due a rest after his marathon and not so little cycle up Sa Calobra on the Tuesday, our v45 team wasn’t too far behind featuring two of our newer members Roland and John both with brilliant runs, our v55 team was next over the line and its great seeing Rambo back in form, a return to the relay scene for Shaun and Peter taking part in the relays. It is really good seeing our new members taking part in the relays and doing so well – I hope you all enjoyed it.
Sunday saw a few members running in the Sunderland City Runs – two brilliant routes for runners to choose from. We had our two runners pounding the streets of Sunderland on Sunday morning. Its really pleasing seeing Shaun Connelly starting to show a bit of form following long spells of injury, he ran the Half Marathon option finishing in an impressive 1:36:59 – well done Shaun!
| POS. | NAME | GENDER | CAT. | CLUB | GUN TIME | CHIP TIME | GENDER POS. |
| 129 | Shaun Connelly | Male | M50 | Elswick Harriers | 01:36:59 | 01:36:43 | 111 |
We had four runners taking on the Sunderland 10km, Sean Mennim was rewarded with a new PB – brilliant running for the youngster and no sign of a hangover after celebrating his 30th last weekend. Imogen was hot on his tail finishing 2nd female on the day, a 2nd podium in a week for young Imogen. And an amazing run from Susanne after a long period out – so pleased to see you racing again! Nigel was forth home and 3rd in his age category – a cracking run Nigel – brilliant from you all!
10km Times:
| POS. | NAME | GENDER | CAT. | CLUB | GUN TIME | CHIP TIME | GENDER POS. | CAT. POS. |
| 20 | Sean Mennim | Male | MS | Elswick Harriers | 35:56 | 35:55 | 19 | 15 |
| 36 | Imogen Bungay | Female | FS | Elswick Harriers | 37:34 | 37:34 | 2 | 2 |
| 219 | Susanne Stephenson | Female | F50 | Elswick Harriers | 46:49 | 46:44 | 37 | 4 |
| 580 | Nigel Hollier | Male | M70+ | Elswick Harriers | 55:51 | 55:17 | 424 | 3 |
And our final event of the week; Rob Lambert was taking on the Marbella 70.3 European Championships. Always up for a trip abroad, Rob thinks nothing of swimming 1.2 miles in open water, jumping on a bike for 56 miles ride then finish off with a half marathon (13.1 miles). Anything to justify a ‘holiday’, wife Alison is always at his side cheering him on and both rewarded with nice tan and a refreshing G&T afterwards 😊 – Rob had a great day finishing with an overall time of 7 hours 30 minutes (SWIM 00:50:57 BIKE 4:12:01 RUN 2:14:38 OVERALL 7:30:51).
Following Heather’s impressive run at Gibside, Heather travelled north to take part in the Edinburgh to North Berwick 20 miler (E2NB) on Saturday 6th May – around 200 people lined up at the start from Portobello Promenade to start the 20mile run along the coast to North Berwick. The race began in 1958 and was held most years until 2017 then revived in 2022 its ideal prep for any marathons or ultras. Heather commented on the run “Started off misty but soon cleared to show some lovely views out across the beaches and countryside in East Lothian. Run as part of ultra marathon training so paced a little bit slower, finishing in 2hrs 55.” – Well done Heather!
