Alnwick Harriers

Well done to Adam SPILLER for organising yet another superb Blyth/Wooler Blind Handicap Social event! The annual event took place on Wednesday 23rd July in Hulne Park, with each of the groups running a lovely 4.7 ish mile route. 20 teams took part, the majority with 3 runners though some had 2 or 4, with each group trying to finish the course as close as possible to their predicted time without the aid of a Garmin! Prizes were on offer for the fastest team, for the teams nearest to their predicted time and to the team furthest from their predicted time.

This year there were some excellent results with a few teams just seconds outside their predicted times. The winners of a big bag of Buttons each were the Alnwick trio of Gaynor AYRE, Rachel McCoy and Brett SLATER, due to being a mere 12 seconds outside their predicted time of 52 minutes! Next came the mixed trio of Harry PORTEOUS (Wooler), Iain SINGER (Blyth) and Laura STUBBINGS (Alnwick) who were 23 seconds out. Third place went to the speedy duo of Alnwick’s Eddie LONGSTAFF and Blyth’s Sam DODD, 27 seconds out. Fourth were the Alnwick threesome of Lisa BASTON, Kim BRONZE and Chris GRAHAM, 33 seconds out. It was chocolate bars all round for these teams.

The award for the fastest pair went predictably to Eddie LONGSTAFF and Sam DODD who breezed round the course in 32.33. They celebrated the win by being presented with lashings of Ginger Beer! However the biggie, the one that everyone wants, is Adam SPILLER’s glorious wooden spoons. The lucky recipients of this prize was Alnwick’s Micky AISTON, Wooler’s Nick JOHNSON and Julie LEMIN of Blyth. The three ran badly and were just over 2 minutes outside their predicted time, so well done to them! A special mention should go to Alnwick’s Rachel BOWYER and Paul DELLBRIDGE who were over 11 minutes slower than their predicted time! Sadly due to being in a team of 2 they weren’t eligible for a prize.

After the running was over it was off to The Oaks for sandwiches, chips and alcohol. Many thanks to the runners from Blyth and Wooler for coming all the way for this event. We look forward to seeing you again at the Blyth Links 10k in August and the return Social at Wooler in September (tbc). Thanks also to the Harriers who helped Adam tonight with timekeeping and marshalling duties.

We have once again booked a massively subsidised 48 seat coach with Rothbury Motors for this years Great North Run. The race takes place on Sunday 7th September. The cost is a shockingly cheap £5 return for Harriers and frankly ludicrous £10 for non Harriers (half price if only travelling one way).

The coach will leave Willowburn at 7.30am and go to the Town Moor via Felton. It will leave South Shields seafront at 15.30pm and return to Willowburn via Felton. Info re the pick-up point in South Shields will be given on the bus in the morning, to ensure we don’t miss the escort out of Shields at the end!

Please can you add your names to the list on the noticeboard at Willowburn asap and indicate (W) for Willowburn and (F) for Felton. Also indicate if you’re only going one way. The deadline for this is Sunday 31st August.

Full results from the 2014 Northumberland Coastal Run, sponsored by Eclipse Translations, are here http://www.resultsbase.net/Results/IndividualResults.aspx?Id=1915.

Many congratulations to the 850+ hardy souls who braved the hot, hot, hot conditions to take part in this years Northumberland Coastal Run on Sunday 20th July. The event, once again proudly sponsored by the fabulous Eclipse Translations, was a great success. Many thanks to the committee for organising such a great event, particularly to Jim LILLICO, Tracey SAMPLE and Sue BOLAM. Also well done to the numerous marshals who helped out over the course of the weekend, themselves braving the blazing sun and getting nothing but positive comments from competitors. Apart from Eclipse Translations thanks to all the other businesses and groups which helped make the day a success, including Rapid Reaction, Motorcare Alnwick, Rothbury Motors, Start Fitness, Northumbria Water, Beadnell Boat Club, Alnmouth Football Club, Red Lion (Alnmouth), Hipsburn Primary School and Alnmouth Village Golf Club!

The winner of the 2014 Northumberland Coastal Run was Sunderland Harrier Kevin JEFFRESS. Kevin finished in 1.18.57, ahead of previous winner Darren PURVIS of Birtley AC and Iain TWADDLE of North Shields Poly. Regular Coastal Run participant Alasdair TATHAM of North York Moors AC won the male 40 category by finishing 5th overall, whilst North Shields Poly’s Greg PENN was first male 50 in 18th. Low Fell’s Bob NAJAFI won the male 60 age group, whilst Blackhill Bounder Mike GILL was first in the male 70 category. North Shields Poly won the male team prize, followed by Tyne Bridge Harriers and Morpeth Harriers.

For the women first to finish was 2009 victress Debbie APPLETON of Havering AC. Debbie was a narrow winner from North Shields Poly’s Claire McMANUS, followed by Rhona ANDERSON of Dunbar Running Club. Heaton Harrier Sarah LEMON won the female 35 prize and Karen BRIDGE of Eden Runners the female 40. Marie DROZDOWICZ of Elswick Harriers was a popular winner of the female 50 category, whilst Southwell RC’s Penny DURANCE was the first female 60 runner. Tyne Bridge Harriers won the female team prize, beating North Shields Poly and Tynedale Harriers.

Winners of the 4 coveted Alnwick Harriers prizes were Phil HEMSLEY (male Veteran), Steve PATTERSON (male Senior), Lisa BASTON (female Senior) and Sarah CROSS (female Veteran).

Harriers results:

26-Phil HEMSLEY 1.29.28

66-Geoff CAMPBELL 1.36.38

75-Adam SPILLER 1.38.04

110-Stuart MORRIS 1.41.25

132-Steve PATTERSON 1.43.52

156-Rob ENSER 1.46.01

174-Dave HENDERSON 1.48.06

242-Clive KENNEDY-BURN 1.52.34

266-Micky AISTON 1.54.15

362-Lisa BASTON 2.00.54

380-Sarah CROSS 2.01.58

456-Colin McLEAN 2.06.56

541-Dave HINDMARSH 2.12.22

550-Richard EASTOE 2.13.07

551-Gay EASTOE 2.13.08

573-Shelley COATES 2.14.30

647-Christopher WATSON 2.20.45

649-Laura McLEAN 2.20.51

656-Emily WATSON 2.22.05

713-John ROSS 2.27.44

725-Phil LEE 2.29.04

728-Melanie BUCHANAN 2.29.16

757-Helen BURN 2.33.27

758-Mary PLUMLEY 2.33.27

847-Tim SHEPHERD 3.12.02

Bad luck to our second claim runner and Morpeth Harrier Carl AVERY. Carl had a superb run and actually crossed the line first, though due to not dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a name transfer before the deadline, we had no alternative but to disqualify Carl. It was a tough decision to make, but we really had no choice. We hope that Carl will be back and will have his name on the winners trophy soon.

Next years date will be announced soon. More photos will be added to this page and to the Flickr site tomorrow!

Here’s a blog from 6th placed Jarrow and Hebburn AC runner Ross ANDERSON http://www.fullstride.co.uk/and-i-swore-never-to-run-it-again/.

Photos courtesy of numerous sources including Run Nation and Gaynor AYRE.

A reminder that the start date for the Druridge Bay parkrun will be Saturday 9th August!! Thanks to the hard work of, amongst others, Vee POLLOCK, Mark DOCTOR and Jackie PROUSE everything is in place to start the weekly 5k time trials at this beautiful location.

More information on the event is at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/druridgebay. You can sign up for the event there and change your home parkrun to Druridge Bay!

There will also be end of year awards for Alnwick Harriers taking part in the Druridge Bay parkrun. More details soon……..

If you are willing to offer some of your time on Saturday morning’s send an email to druridgebayhelpers@parkrun.com. or message Vee directly if you’re on Facebook.

A message from organiser Lisa WILLIAMS regarding the massively subsidised club trip to the Lakes in November:

“Hello Alnwick Harriers

Thanks to everyone for paying the money so promptly for the Dirty Double club trip in November.

All accommodation has now been booked at YHA Keswick in mostly 3/4/5 bedded rooms. Efforts will be made to group friends together nearer the time. We have 19 females and 18 males to accommodate.

All places are booked in the races. We have 37 racing with 35 people opting for the Dirty Double! There are plenty of runners in each race with the Helvellyn 15km trail Challenge starting off first at 13:00 on Saturday 1st November and the Race starting off at 14:00. The Ullswater 14km Challenge starts at 10am on the Sunday 2nd November with the Race starting at 11am.

Transport is booked for the whole weekend and we expect an early morning departure from Willowburn on the Saturday and a late afternoon departure from the Lakes on the Sunday.

More details will be sent out nearer the time however if anyone has any queries or questions please email me at lwilliamsecdl@yahoo.co.uk or speak to me (or Sue BOLAM) directly on a Wednesday night.

Many thanks

Lisa WILLIAMS”

For more info on the events click on the icon below

The weekend got off to a good start with 3 age category wins for Harriers at 3 different parkrun’s. Peter GREY was fastest of the 5 Harriers in action on Saturday 12th July at a hot and sticky South Shields. Peter won the male 55 category to finish 6th with a superb 81% WAVA score. Elsewhere Diana WEIGHTMAN was fastest in the female 50 age group at Newcastle, whilst Gay EASTOE was quickest in the female 60 category at Workington.

Results:

South Shields:

6-Peter GREY 19.07 (81.08%)

Newcastle:

116-Diana WEIGHTMAN 23.05 (73.50%)

142-Kim BRONZE 23.49 (62.91%)

Workington:

17-Richard EASTOE 21.20 (75.16%)

36-Gay EASTOE 25.04 (76.33%)

The following day 4 Harriers took part in the BUPA Great North 10k in Gateshead. On a wet morning Stuart CARTER was first Harrier to finish, not too far ahead of Mark DOUGLAS who ran a 10k pb. John ROSS was next, followed by Harriers debutant Simon ROBINSON. Results:

281-Stuart CARTER 43.09

339-Mark DOUGLAS 43.55

1382-John ROSS 54.43

2788-Simon ROBINSON 1.10 01

Also that day Conrad STEWART travelled north of the border to compete in the Kelso Crawlers 10k. Conrad performed well to finish 83rd of the 172 runners in 49.45, almost 3 minutes quicker than last year. Good work!

Parkrun photos courtesy of George ROUTLEDGE.

5 Harriers took part in the very popular blast along the Quayside in Newcastle, the Bridges of the Tyne 5 mile Road Race organised by Tyne Bridge Harriers. In perfect conditions Dave HINDMARSH was the first of the quintet to finish the fast and flat course on Tuesday 8th July. Phil BASTON was not far behind, with daughter Charlotte just 1 second behind him. Shelley COATES and John ROSS also took part for us.

Results:

164-Dave HINDMARSH 35.51

214-Phil BASTON 37.47

216-Charlotte BASTON 37.48

292-Shelley COATES 43.06

301-John ROSS 43.21

The following night Gay and Richard EASTOE were racing once again, this time in the Kendal AC organised Endmoor 10k. The pair ran together in this hilly race, finishing 80th and 81st in 59.39, with Gay just in front of Richard.

On Thursday 10th July Sunday’s Chevy Chase hero and the new heartthrob of north east fell running, Bruce CROMBIE, was back in action. Despite the tough 20 miler a few days before Bruce performed well again in this 5.75 mile race with 1500 feet of ascent. He was a very close 2nd in 52.13, missing out by a nose just 3 seconds behind the winner.

Also that night Mark DOCTOR and Mark HUME took part in the Low Fell RC organised Angel View Run. This is traditionally an undulating 5 mile race on fields, road, bridleway and rough track, however this year it was longer at just under 6 miles. Results:

42-Mark DOCTOR 44.41

96-Mark HUME 1.03.46

Photos courtesy of George ROUTLEDGE and Jayne TELFORD.

Saturday 5th July was another of those great days in the history of Alnwick Harriers, thanks to not 1 but 2 wins by Harriers! The performance of the day and no doubt of the year so far was courtesy of Bruce CROMBIE at the 20 mile Chevy Chase fell race, organised by our buddies Wooler RC. Bruce has performed well at the race in recent years, though has finished no higher than 4th. However all that changed this year when Bruce, after a few months of hard training, won the race by over 3 and a half minutes after a great battle with top class north east fell runner John BUTTERS. Bruce improved on his time from last year by about 10 minutes to win what is considered the pinnacle of north east fell running. A bonus for Brucie was retaining the 1st local trophy as well. Bruce is the 3rd Harrier to win this race after Dennis JACKSON won it in 1984 and Dave KIRKLAND more recently.

There were some other notable performances from Harriers particularly from Adam FLETCHER, who has battled back from injury in recent months, to finish 5th. Adam SPILLER put in a great run, as did Geoff CAMPBELL considering the lack of training he’s done! Well done to Hesus KIDD, Maureen BARTRUM and Dave BARTRUM for making their debuts in this race which is such a massive test of endurance. Bad luck to Sarah CROSS who was unable to finish due to injury (there’s always next year!).

Results:

1-Bruce CROMBIE 3.05.41

5-Adam FLETCHER 3.15.45

29-Adam SPILLER 3.46.52

31-Geoff CAMPBELL 3.48.01

54-Graham SIMPSON 4.14.59

76-Hesus KIDD 4.38.54

146-Maureen BARTRUM 5.54.57

147-Dave BARTRUM 5.54.58

Elsewhere that day there was more joy for a Harrier as Phil HEMSLEY won the Newcastle Parkrun in a superb 17.10, the fastest 5k by a male Harrier this year! Phil joins Harriers legend Dave KIRKLAND and ex Harriers legend Danny RICHARDSON as the only Harriers to win a Parkrun so far. Also on the Town Moor Peter GREY won the male 55 category, whilst Rob ENSER smashed his previous 5k pb with a great performance. Results:

1-Phil HEMSLEY 17.10 (86.60%)

21-Peter GREY 19.20 (80.17%)

37-Rob ENSER 20.15 (67.90%)

Also that morning Gay and Richard EASTOE were both winning the male and female 60 categories once again at the Workington Parkrun! This was the 16th time this year Gay has won her age group and she still holds the female 60 course record. Results:

11-Richard EASTOE 21.42 (73.89%)

23-Gay EASTOE 24.40 (77.57%)

The following day Gay and Richard were at it again, this time in the Appleby Rotary 10k in Cumbria. On an undulating course Gay was 35th of the 58 finishers in 55.37, whilst Richard was 36th in 55.38. Guess what? Gay won the female 60 category!

Also in Cumbria Dave COATES was in action in the tough Lakeland Trails Coniston Half Marathon Trail Race. Dave did well to complete the course in hot conditions in 2.15.33.

Back on Wednesday 2nd July a whole host of Harriers were due to take part in the Tynedale 10k. However due to a number of niggly injuries and annoying illnesses the pair of Sarah SYERS and Shelley COATES were the only 2 to don the Alnwick colours, with both performing well. Results:

185-Sarah SYERS 44.37

367-Shelley COATES 54.42

Also that night Gay and Richard EASTOE took part in yet another race, the Derwent AC organised Lambfoot Loop 10k at Cockermouth. The pair ran together finishing in 56.33 to finish 100th and 101st.

The Alnwick/Blyth Team made great progress on Sunday 29th June at the North East Youth Development League athletics meeting at Churchill Fields, Whitley Bay. The combined team amassed over one hundred extra points than at the last meeting and placed fourth just 7 points behind Birtley Athletic Club. The significant gains were made by reducing the substantial leads established by Gateshead Harriers and Jarrow & Hebburn in previous events.

The team’s success was based on excellent performances by the regular participants but even more significant was the contribution made by those who made their season’s debut. Harry BROWN (U13B) ran his first 800m race and Mark ROBERTS managed an excellent third place in the 100m (14.5’s). Mark went on to compete in the 200m and finally the 1500m where is ‘raw optimism’ in the final 400m almost produced him a top three finish, it was a fine performance which with a little ‘refining’ will produce great results in the future!

Katie HILTON and Lucy EMBLETON both competed in the U15 category. The Club has struggled in this age group in recent meetings so their participation in the 100m, 200m and high jump earned the team much needed points which helped boost their place in the overall ranking. Katie ran an impressive time of 13.6s to establish a new club record and achieve third place in her 100m race.

In the first two events of the day Max BREESE won the U13B hurdles, and in the Shot Ollie TELFER managed a personal best and club record throw of 5.93m to gain third place. Later in the day Max threw the javelin a massive 21.07m (another club record) to gain second place in that event. Ollie managed joint second in the high jump to round off an excellent day for the under thirteen boys.

Peter SKIRROW ‘cleaned up’ in the U17 mens category by winning the high jump (1.55m), long jump (4.81m) and javelin (24.58m),an excellent achievement!

The whole team participated with humour, enthusiasm and great spirit, as a result of this they were rewarded with a credible fourth place. The other Clubs are now within ‘striking distance’ and with just a few more athletes who knows what they can achieve?

On Saturday 28th June Ian SIMON hit the track once again to take part in the North East Masters Athletics Championships at Monkton Stadium. Ian ran well but ultimately just missed out on his sub 5 minute mile target in the Open Mile race. Ian finished 4th of the 7 runners in 5.07.4, a good effort nonetheless.

Also that day 5 Harriers were taking part in Parkrun’s at various locations. The highlight, for winning her age category once again, was Gay EASTOE at Workington where she ran with husband Richard. Elsewhere Phil LEE was at Whitley Bay, Kim BRONZE was at Gibside and Stuart BRUCE was at Pennington Flash, not far from Manchester. Results:

Workington:

41-Gay EASTOE 25.28 (75.13%)

42-Richard EASTOE 25.28 62.96%)

Whitley Bay:

94-Phil LEE 24.14 (63.41%)

Gibside:

27-Kim BRONZE 25.14 (59.38%)

Pennington Flash:

72-Stuart BRUCE 25.50 (56.19%)

The following day 3 Harriers travelled to Yorkshire to take part in the hilly Wakefield Half Marathon. Results:

90-Morag DONOGHUE 2.04.17

107-Carol DAVISON 2.06.42

150-Ron McCORMACK 2.20.23