ALNWICK HARRIERS

Leaving Alnwick on a dark, cold, wet and windy Sunday morning the omens did not look good for a pleasant jolly jaunt for the two Alnwick Harriers; Rob Andrew and Mike Henry whose combined ages would make a very respectable darts score. However as they departed Northumberland and entered Cumbria a transformation occurred, the rain stopped, the wind dropped and although still chilly the sun came out.

The race purportedly the oldest in England although not as old as Mike follows an almost directly westerly direction. Slightly undulating but with a fast last quarter mile it attracts a large field.

Superstar Rob had a blistering run finishing in 61mins 22 secs. and claiming 2nd in the very competitive over 55 category. Mike was extremely pleased to just finish on the same day and 78mins 27secs meant that he too was second but in the over 70 category.

As Wallace and Grommet would say “A grand day out”.

Three Alnwick Harriers travelled to Newcastle Town Moor on Sunday to take part in the Heaton Harriers Memorial 10K. After a 2 minute silence to mark Remembrance Sunday they got off to a flying start on a calm and flat course. Steve Patterson was first Alnwick Harrier home, with Andy Squires next and Phil Lee following behind with times of 38.01, 44.00 and 49.52 respectively.

Your club needs you for the north-eastern cross country championships, which this year are being held at Sedgefield on Saturday 11th December. Do not be put off by the word “Championship”, this event is open to a wide range of abilities and all are very welcome.

Further details can be found at

https://necaa.weebly.com/…/5/64850927/prospectus_2020.docx

To register your interest, please speak to your cross country captains Andy Squires and Diana Weightman.

A resilient pair of Alnwick Harriers ran in Saturday’s Helvellyn Trail Races in atrocious weather conditions. Battling against the wind and rain, Ian Stephenson and Lorna Stephenson, completed the 15K in 1:38.53 and 5K in 45:57 respectively.

Meanwhile in slightly better conditions east of the Pennines, for a second time in consecutive weekends, Andy Squires and Mike Henry completed two races each, culminating in a park run 2021 PB of 21:41 for Andy, and a 1st in his age group for Mike (24:00). Sunday saw the pair travelling to Seaham for the Tommy Memorial 10K trail run, which proved challenging due to windy conditions and a very undulating course. Despite this, they still managed to achieve respectable times of 45:19 (Andy) and 51:05 (Mike).

Also on Sunday, the promise of fast times on a flat course ensured a competitive field for the Jane Tomlinson Middlesbrough 10K, which this year attracted over 1250 runners. Two Alnwick Harriers enjoyed the cultural highlights the course had to offer, which included Albert Park, the Institute of Modern Art and the iconic Transporter Bridge. Despite strong winds both harriers ran 10K personal bests, with Jim Allan coming in at 37:43 and Tess Allan at 1:04:06.

After a very wet drive down to Lambton Castle, the weather conditions were perfect for the race, albeit very muddy in places. There was a good turnout by the senior men, although we could still do with a few fast runners to support the ones already doing a fantastic job, especially Rudy McLeod, Dave Richardson, Steve Patterson and Graham Syers, who completed the course in 45:50, 46:22, 47:10 and 49:42 respectively. The other counters were myself and Tim Broomfield, with times of 55:11 and 56:57. Not forgetting Ian Stephenson, who as usual, was ready to step in as 6th counter if needed, with a time of 62:53.

Once again running over the shorter distance, Mike Henry ran well to finish in a time of 38:47.

Sadly Alnwick’s women were once again unable to field a complete team. However, running from the medium pack Rosie Davison had a superb run to finish 76th in a time of 33:57. Finishing 181st, Karen Mather also had a good run, posting a time of 39:00.

A wet and soggy Sunday morning awaited 400 runners taking part in the popular Hexham 10k road race organised by Run Nation. The finishing grass stretch alongside the river at Tyne Green proved challenging and somewhat slippy as runners attempted to stay upright if they were to maintain their pace they had over the last six miles on a tarmac road!

Four Alnwick harriers gave it their all and had smiles on their faces at the finish despite enduring a thorough drenching! First back for the club was Lisa Baston in a fabulous time of 43.29 coming a brilliant second in her age category. Fresh from running cross-country at Lambton Castle just the day before, men’s cross-country team captain Andy Squires had a super run in 44.03.
Chasing Andy home, Jo Powell was delighted to get a new 10K PB of 44.32 and an age category win. Mike Henry added yet another age category win to his collection this year putting in a high class run and finishing in 48.54.
Results:

60. Lisa Baston 43.29 (2nd/35-39)
61. Andy Squires 44.03
62. Jo Powell 44.32 (1st/45-49)
63. Mike Henry 48.54 (1st/70+)

On Sunday October 24th Alnwick’s Dave Richardson ran the Leeds Abbey Dash 10K.

The race is renowned for its quality field attracting an international field from the UK and abroad. On the out and back course from Leeds city centre out to the turn at Kirkstall Abbey, Dave came 97th overall in 33:03 (15th vet). The overall winner was Ethiopian Kadar Omar in 28:46 with 27 runners all going sub 30 minutes!!!

The Yorkshire Marathon took place on Sunday and Alnwick’s Tony Jackson joined 3000 runners to take part. Running a strong second half of the race, Tony finished in 3:45:26, a full 8 minutes quicker than his first marathon at Kielder. Well done Tony.

Also competing on Sunday, but north of the border along part of the Southern Upland Way, Alice Tetley-Paul ran the Devil’s Foot Half Marathon. The challenging off road trail route takes in a difficult climb up the Eildon Hills, before dropping down to finish at Melrose.

Elswick Harriers are pleased to announce the running of the Norman Woodcock Relays to be held at Gosforth Park Racecourse on Saturday 20^th November with a 12.30pm start time.

All teams must have a minimum of one female athlete in their team.        

Age Group Categories:

Seniors (Ages 16 to 39).

V40 (40 to 49) 

V50 (50 to 59)

V60 & Over Teams

Awards at the club’s discretion.

If any Alnwick Harriers are interested in taking part please contact Diana Weightman at diana.weightman63@hotmail.com

Dave Richardson almost slipped under the radar with his fantastic personal best performance at the Scottish 10K Road Championships held last month on the 19th September. The fast and flat out and back route started and finished just outside of Edinburgh at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Dave was lying a close third at the half way stage when he passed through the 5K mark in 16:16 and went on to finish fourth overall and second over 35 male in an outstanding time of 32:53 taking 33 seconds off his previous best set earlier this year. Well done Dave!