Saturday 14 September – English Cross Country Association National Championships
Postponed from February (you remember that rain), the Nationals for 2024 took place in yet another new venue, at Weston Park near Telford. The park hosts many outdoor events with 1000 acres of parkland created by Capability Brown. According to the ECCA website, the venue offers a great test for athletes with its undulating parkland and quality grass! I’m not sure that can be said for Thornley Hall Farm, more of a hoof churned terrain with seasonally appearing lakes, although it is certainly set in beautiful Durham countryside.
Jude Nutt, one of our talented F45 athletes had yet another exceptional run finishing in 59th position, only seven seconds behind Amy Fuller (senior, second claim Elswick). A promising start to her cross-country season in the NEHL fast pack yet again.
https://www.englishcrosscountry.co.uk/nationals/results-nationals-2023/
Fingers crossed the weather in 2025 is more forgiving and the Nationals can proceed in its usual slot in the calendar, February half term. We’ll advertise the race in the new year and the club will enter and pay for those who wish to participate.
Sunday 15 September 2024
DK 1 mile race, Blyth
This was a new discovery for me. Blyth Running Club organise monthly (on selected Sundays) timed races over 1mile, 300m, 200, and 100m. These “training” runs are free of charge and provide accurate time recording, although they do not qualify for Power of 10. However, there is also a race series held at 19.00 on the first Friday of each month from April to September. Entry is via Run Britain and costs as little as 50p per race (assuming you run all six races). These races are licensed and qualify for Power of 10. Check out the details on the Blyth RC website.
https://dk-mile-monthly-mile-trial.mailchimpsites.com/
Kim Matthews took part in the Sunday timed mile and was rewarded with a pb in this event and was the fastest in her age category. Kim’s recent problems with her back have restricted her race participation, however, it has made her more creative in seeking out new challenges as and when her back permits. Well done Kim.
Ashstead 10km, Ashstead Common, Surrey, organized by Titanium
Our intrepid running tourist Luke Hilliard was on his travels again. If there’s a friend to visit or a wedding to attend, Luke always manages to fit in a race whilst he’s there.
Luke has been successful in several events orgainsed by Titanium and he continued this pattern by winning yet again in a time of 36.20. Clearly, he recovered well after his 1.12 GNR last Sunday. No finisher’s t-shirt and medal this week but instead a bottle of English sparkling wine.
Sydney Marathon
From Blyth to Sydney, another two running tourists. Mr and Mrs Allen (Simon and Louise) set off on their holiday the day after the GNR to visit Louise’s brother in Australia. Louise had promised to run the Sydney marathon with her brother, and you know Simon, he wasn’t going to miss out on the fun of running a big city marathon. Simon finished in a great time of 3.30. Louise finished in 4.00, presumably with her brother, as intended.
Congratulations to Simon and Louise. Thanks for test running the new addition to the Abbot Major Marathon Series. Sydney will join the series in 2025. Safe travels Mr & Mrs A – look forward to hearing all about your time down under.
Summer retrospective – 25th World Masters Athletics Championships 13- 25 August 2024, Gothenburg
This annual event is held over thirteen days and this year took place in the city of Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden. Our sole competitor flying the Elswick flag was Justin Durham who described the host city as a “fabulous place and highly recommend if you haven’t been. Such a variety of architecture and amazing food.”
Justin competed in his favourite event, the 5km steeplechase and came 15th in the V45 age category which is 21 places higher than his world ranking. Justin was delighted with this result, having been suffering with a hip injury for the month prior to the event. Only three years to work towards his target of excelling in 2027 when Justin enters the V50 category.
https://www.2024wmac.com/
