ALNWICK HARRIERS

In a year that has been short of races, we welcome back the Northeastern harrier league in its 125th year and the dates for the 2021/2022 season are:-

Sat 25th Sept 2021 – Wrekenton

Sun 10th Oct 2021 – Druridge Bay

Sat 30th Oct 2021 – Lambton Estate

Sat 27th Nov 2021 – Aykley Heads

Sat 8th Jan 2022 – Sherman Cup/Davison Shield, Temple Park

Sat 12th Feb 2022 – Thornley Hall Farm, Peterlee

Sat 5th Mar 2022 – Alnwick Castle

The senior/veteran women’s race starts at approximately 13:05 and the senior/veteran men’s race starts at approximately 13:50.

The Alnwick ladies team captains are Diana Weightman diana.weightman63@hotmail and Lisa Baston, the men’s captain is Andy Squires squidy.squires@gmail.com. Please contact the team captains to register your interest. We need all names for the first event by 20th September so they can be registered. If you wish to take part in ANY of the races let the captains know so they can notify the organisers and get your names registered in advance.

Nineteen Alnwick harriers were among the 57,000 people to have taken part in the 40th
staging of The Great North Run on Sunday 12th September. Last years event was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic and organisers changed the half marathons route this year to aid social distancing. Starting and finishing in Newcastle rather than heading out to South Shields the new route crossed the Tyne Bridge twice. It then wound its way through Newcastle city centre before finishing on the Great North Road. A cloudy, cool and fairly still day provided near perfect running conditions.

First back for the club was Steve Patterson in a fantastic time of 01:28:55. Not far behind Steve came Jon Archer in a brilliant time of 01:34:48. Alnwick’s first female over the finish line was Lisa Baston in a superb 01:35:28. Well done to all Alnwick Harriers who took part in this unique one off Great North Run route!

Results:

On Saturday 4th September, Ingram Valley was the new venue for the Anne Allan (approx 9K) trail run held in memory of the dedicated and popular Alnwick Harrier. A multi terrain route and stunning scenery with ideal running conditions saw 36 runners take part which is what is hoped to be an annual event at Ingram. First home and a former Alnwick harrier was Bruce Crombie in a time of 36.22 and hot on his heels was first male for Alnwick, Ollie Telfer in 36.52. First female and also first Alnwick female was Jo Powell and her winning time was 41.25. 

The junior race was hotly contested by 12 runners over a shorter course but still with some slight incline! First back in a time of 11.57 was Harry Knox.

Over eight hundred pounds was raised for Motor Neurone Disease and Alnwick Harriers would like to thank everyone who donated.

A copy of the full results can be found on the link below:-

http://www.alnwickharriers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Anne-Allan-Trail-Race-2021-Results-1.pdf

Four Alnwick harriers joined 120 runners in the Morpeth 10k on Sunday 5th September. This two lap course climbs up out of Morpeth on the Whalton road and then turns left through Tranwell Woods and Tranwell village.

Unfortunately for Andy Squires, he felt that his calf wasn’t quite right not long into the race and sensibly called it a day. A level-headed decision following a great performance at The Anne Allan trail run the day before. Andy then positioned himself near the finish line to support and cheer in his fellow three club mates!

Jo Powell having also enjoyed the Anne Allan trail run on the previous day was thrilled to bag a 10k PB of 44.58. Mike Henry had a fantastic run and was delighted with his time of 49.16 which earned Mike a well deserved 1st V70 win and prize at the presentation that followed with a buffet for all runners. Also fresh from the 5 mile trail race at Ingram Valley just 24 hours earlier, Ian Stephenson came home in 55.58 claiming 3rd V60. Some solid age category results from Alnwick harriers holding their own amongst a huge blue and white vest presence from club hosts Morpeth harriers.

Results: 58)  Jo Powell 44.58  2nd/V45 81) Mike Henry 49.16  1st/V70 103) Ian Stephenson 55.58  3rd/V60

Alnwick Harriers are pleased to announce the roll over date for the Coastal Run in 2022 as the 24th July with a start time of (approx) 9am, to coincide with the tide.

For all those who signed up for the planned event in 2020 we would ask you to check your personal details with Results Base https://resultsbase.net/ to ensure they are correct. All those signed up are automatically rolled over to the event in 2022, you do not need to re-register.

There will be a small number of places that will go on release in January 2022 and would suggest anyone interested to follow Alnwick Harriers Facebook page or website for details of how you apply for them nearer the time.

Even in today’s rain the Anne Allan trail route is looking good!!…If you haven’t already entered, entries are still open via the link below… All proceeds to a very worthy cause!

https://www.theentrypoint.co.uk/events/anne-allan-trail-run-senior-8kmD7OYnxeGQBrp

Beautiful Derwent Country Park near Swalwell played backdrop to just over 1300 runners taking part in this hugely popular trail event on Saturday 14th August. Without the steep climbs of some trail runs this scenic route snakes along paths through the country park and after just one substantial climb finishes along a fast flat trail path surrounded by trees for over a mile. The event boasts a great runners village type atmosphere at the start and finish with music and refreshments available.

Four Alnwick harriers made the worthwhile trip including Lisa Baston who was first back for the club in an excellent time of 44.44 finishing 6th female overall! Next home came Jo Powell in 45.42 followed by Philip Lee in 49.01. Following on from her 5K PB at Newcastle’s quayside just days earlier Karen Leeson bagged herself her second PB of the week coming home in a 10K PB of 51.42! Well done Karen!

Results: 91 Lisa Baston 44.44; 114 Jo Powell 45.42; 220 Philip Lee 49.01; 353 Karen Leeson 51.42

Newcastle’s quayside provided a fast and flat 5K route on a fairly cloudy summers evening on Wednesday 11 th August. Nearly 600 runners took part in this popular race that had an exciting finish crossing over the Millennium bridge onto the Gateshead quayside.

Well organised by Gateshead Harriers the race was split into an A and B race. The A race required a sub 20 minutes entry standard which attracted 186 runners including Alnwick Harriers Dave Richardson and James Carragher. Dave scorched round the out and back loop in a fantastic time of 15.35 claiming a superb 9th place! James ran a brilliant race finishing in 20.03.

Five Alnwick Harriers took part in the B race and first back for the club was Lisa Baston finishing in overall 36th place out of 381 runners and 8th placed female. Lisa was thrilled to bag a PB of 20.39! Next came Jo Powell in a time of 21.44 closely followed by Phillip Lee in 22.22. Karen Leeson was also delighted to run a 5K PB in 24.40. Just a few seconds later and fresh from a days work close-by came Ian Atherton in 24.59. Well done all on such solid performances!

Results:
A Race:
9th Dave Richardson 15.35 (3rd V35)
173rd James Carragher 20.03 (6th U20)
B Race:
36th Lisa Baston 20.39 (3rd V35)
81st Jo Powell 21.44 ( 2nd V45)
111th Phillip Lee 22.22
176th Karen Leeson 24.40
192nd Ian Atherton 24.59

A charitable event to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease, in memory of Anne Allan, a popular and dedicated member of Alnwick Harriers. Anne was a passionate and competitive runner who always wore her Alnwick harriers vest with pride. She was an enthusiastic stalwart at the club, former club secretary for many years and heavily involved in the organisation of club events.

The senior run is approximately 9 Km and is an undulating circular route. It is held in the picturesque Ingram Valley over a mix of road and trail. There is also a junior fun run which is approximately 3 Km. This is also a circular route over a mix of road and trail.

Entry through the link below, all of your entry fee will go to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association:-

https://theentrypoint.co.uk/events/anne-allan-trail-run-senior-8kmD7OYnxeGQBrp

https://www.theentrypoint.co.uk/events/anne-allan-junior-fun-run-EKLBoeNWJ4Zwdv3

The club was out in force today participating in the first “real” parkruns of the year, with four Alnwick Harriers taking part in the Pastures parkrun and twenty-one Alnwick Harriers in Druridge Bay’s parkrun. Well done to Alice TETLEY-PAUL and George WILLIAMS on both completing their 200th parkrun today!