Alnwick Harriers

I’m sure many of you are fed up with this extended sunny and hot spell we are enduring at present, and yearn for cold and damp weather. Well fear not as the autumn will soon be here, which means only one thing. The start of the 2014/15 North East Harrier League cross country season!

At the recent AGM the 6 Harrier League fixtures were provisionally announced as:

1. 11/10/14-East Cramlington Nature Reserve (Blyth RC)

2. 22/11/14-Aykley Heads, Durham (Elvet/Durham/Derwentside)

3. 29/11/14-Wallington Hall (Morpeth Harriers)

4. 17/01/15-Bedewell Park (Jarrow & Hebburn AC)

5. 28/02/15-Alnwick Gardens (Alnwick Harriers)

6. 14/03/15-Wrekenton (Saltwell Harriers)

In addition to this other events we hope to target are:

7. 13/12/14-North Eastern Championships (Venue TBC)

8. 24/01/15-Northern Championships (Pontefract)

9. 21/02/15-National Championships (Parliament Hill, London)

We hope that as may Harriers as possible will take part in these events, more details for which will appear nearer the time.

At the AGM several things were discussed and it was agreed that the flat rate for entering clubs in the Harrier League will be scrapped and a £1 per runner fee will be introduced. The club are very generously offering to pay for each Harrier who wants to take part in the cross country races! However if you want a number please let us know as we’ll only obtain numbers for Harriers who definitely want to take part. There is a poster on the noticeboard at Willowburn and a list to add your names to. Alternatively email Mark DOCTOR at dockie1974@hotmail.co.uk and he’ll add your name. If you’ve never taken part in a cross country race before and are unsure what you’re letting yourselves in for contact Team Captains Jo GASCOIGNE-OWENS (johanna.gascoigne-owens@newcastle.ac.uk) or Bruce CROMBIE (brucecrombie@btinternet.com), and they’ll put your minds at rest!

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.

Saturday 26th July saw one of our newer members burst onto the scene with a superb performance at the Newcastle Parkrun. Wayne GAIR, who has been training in Jackie and Kims group recently, finished 10th in a big pb on a hot morning on the Town Moor in 18.19. No doubt there’s plenty more to come from Wayne. Elsewhere Stuart CARTER won his age group at the St Helens Parkrun, whilst Mike HENRY won the male 60 category at Greenock in Scotland clocking a parkrun pb. Finally there was a shock at Workington where Gay EASTOE didn’t win the female 60 category! Furthermore the lady who beat Gay has also run off with Gay’s female 60 course record. Something to aim for then. Results:

Newcastle:

10-Wayne GAIR 18.19 (70.52%)

158-Charlotte BASTON 24.21 (62.83%)

159-Phil BASTON 24.21 (58.66%)

St Helens:

10-Stuart CARTER 21.03 (65.85%)

Greenock:

24-Mike HENRY 21.46 (76.34%)

Workington:

21-Richard EASTOE 21.40 (74.00%)

38-Gay EASTOE 25.13 (75.88%)

Last week, however, Gay did win her age category. Saturday 19th July also saw Wayne knock about 30 seconds off his previous best time which was set earlier this year. Results:

Newcastle:

12-Wayner GAIR 18.36 (69.44%)

Workington:

33-Gay EASTOE 24.44 (77.36%)

34-Richard EASTOE 24.44 (64.82%)

On Sunday 20th July the Alnwick and Blyth junior athlete’s combined to form a team for the last time this season. It was a hot day at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow and some good results were achieved.

The ‘under 13 boys’ were joined by Benji GILLINGHAM who boosted their numbers to five, a record for this season! Together they managed to win the 75m hurdles & 1500m. They also achieved top three places in the High Jump, Javelin, 100m, 200m & 800m. They also represented the team in the Shot Putt and Long Jump. Finally at the end of the afternoon they managed third place in the 4 x100m relay. An excellent conclusion to the season!

Katie HILTON (12) was the Alnwick’s only U15 representative, however she competed well amongst much older athletes and managed second place in the Long Jump (3.78m) and fourth in the 100m! An excellent achievement.

Peter SKIRROW (U17) turned his hand to yet another event and managed second place in the Triple Jump. His jump of 11.4m will gain him a national ranking, quite impressive with such little experience in this very technical discipline! Peter then went on to win the javelin and high jump competitions. Quite an afternoon’s performance!

The athletes have had a great season and competed well. They demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and participated well in a whole range of events that weren’t necessarily their specialism!

Junior Club Records July 2014

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.

Results are here Blyth/Wooler Social Results 2014

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. Photos from the event have been added to the Harriers Flickr site, which is here https://www.flickr.com/photos/alnwickharriers/.

Almost 1000 photos from the race, courtesy of Alan TAIT of Sedgefield Harriers, are here https://www.flickr.com/photos/124538397@N02/sets/72157645482033960/.

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/.

Another review of the race from one of its biggest fans, Andrew COONEY, is here http://www.shutupandrun.co.uk/blog/view-post-number-108-northumberland-coastal.

A video of a section of the race, courtesy of George ROUTLEDGE, is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL6OOvboyaU.

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.