Alnwick Harriers

Alnwick Harriers are once again planning the very popular club trip to the Brampton To Carlisle 10 Mile Road Race which takes place on Sunday 18th November. As always the club will enter a block booking and lay on massively subsidised transport to Cumbria for the race. The combined race entry and bus travel will cost just £20. Please note that you must pay via the link below and also full in a race entry form.

Pay here:https://www.sportsentrysolutions.com/product_page_preview.php?recordID=200934

Fill out this form:http://www.ukresults.net/forms/181118brampton.pdf

Once done please can you send or drop off your completed entry forms to dockie1974@hotmail.co.uk or Mark Doctor, 25 Tyelaw Meadows, Shilbottle, NE66 2JJ. The deadline is Sunday 4th November or when the 29 seat coach is full.

The coach will leave Willowburn Leisure Centre, Alnwick at 08.30 hours and call into Amble en route to pick up runners at the A1068 near the petrol station before dropping runners off at the William Howard School, Brampton in plenty of time for the 11.30am race start. It will then depart the Sands Centre, Carlisle at 3.00pm allowing everyone time to shower, change, eat and drink.

The 2018 Grand Prix season is coming to a close with just 2 events left, the Hexham 10k and the Brampton to Carlisle 10 Miler. Details of these are below. At the weekend a small number of Harriers took part in the Thropton Show Fell Race, though none of those involved are anywhere near the top 12 trophy winning slots. However thanks to his course pb performance at Druridge Bay on Saturday Jon ARCHER has zoomed into the top 12 and is in 8th place, pushing Bev BLYTHE out of the top 12! Here’s the latest standings thanks to John ROSS:

Alnwick Harriers Grand Prix 2018 Standings After Thropton

Entry details for the remaining races are here:

Sunday 28th October-Run Northumberland Hexham 10k. Entries are being taken for the final 10k in the 2018 Grand Prix series. https://runnation.co.uk/r/run-northumberland-hexham-10k-2018

Sunday 18th November-Brampton to Carlisle 10 Miler. We will be laying on a bus for this event and will be entering a block booking. So there is no need to enter this race yet. More info will be on this website in a couple of days. http://borderharriers.co.uk/home.

On Sunday 16th September John CUTHBERT and Laura McLEAN Jr travelled to Germany and competed in the Berlin Marathon. Laura has been struggling with various injuries of late so just to finish and in a time of 5.10.15 was a very good achievement. Partner John smashed his previous marathon pb to clock a brilliant 3.29.37!

The previous day 5 Harriers lined up for the latest of the 2018 Grand Prix races, the Thropton Show Fell Race up Simonside. First to complete the 6.8 mile course for us was Alice TETLEY-PAUL in 1.11.11. Not far behind were Annabel and Jim LILLICO in 1.11.48.and 1.11.49 respectively. Steve COWELL was home in 1.14.23 and Kim BRONZE in 1.25.31. Latest Grand Prix results will be out asap.

Also that day there were some great results at the Druridge Bay Parkrun. Adam FLETCHER was first Harrier to complete the 5k and won the male 50 category in 18.39. Jon ARCHER was one place further back and notched a course pb of 18.49. Junior Harrier Joseph GODDEN was 3rd back for us in 14th. Also of note Rob ENSER broke his course pb, whilst Nell GAIR obliterated her 5k pb by knocking well over a minute off!

Results:

4-Adam FLETCHER 18.39 (81.05%)

5-Jon ARCHER 18.49 (68.91%)

14-Joseph GODDEN 20.43 (68.46%)

15-Phil HALL 20.44 (67.85%)

18-Robert BADDELEY 21.17

20-Rob ENSER 21.22 (66.38%)

63-Nell GAIR 26.07

72-Phil LEE 26.21

80-David HINDMARSH 26.51

82-Paul WILKIE 26.56

95-Jennifer KNIGHT 27.58

102-George WILLIAMS 28.35 (60.99%)

118-Eleanor HEELEY 29.49

124-Rebecca HEELEY 30.13

171-Christine HARDY 36.35

Finally for the weekend our ultra running legend Andy STEPHENSON took part in the Hardmoors 60 for the 4th time. Despite a recent DNF in the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc Andy was back on song and smashed his previous best in this race. He completed the race from Guisborough to Filey in 15.45.56. Great work Andy!!

Photos are of Laura and John in Berlin and Jon ARCHER/Rob ENSER at Druridge Bay.

Harriers!! Believe it or not the 2018/19 cross country season is upon us! We are looking to get as many Senior Harriers to sign up to the North East Harrier League events as possible. Most of you will know the drill but if you don’t here’s a summary:

-Participation is more important than results. Our best results seem to come when we have the biggest number of runners regardless of ability.

-This is a rare team event and its a great opportunity to put the club on the map and show the north east how much we love our hills and map up here!

-The men usually run about 6 miles in total and the women 4. Spikes or trail/fell shoes are recommended, though depending on the weather sometimes road shoes are an option.

-All Harriers must wear a club vest to score team points, with the first 4 women and first 6 men counting towards the team standings.

-Lift sharing has been successful over the past few years, so don’t allow having no transport to stop you from signing up!!!

-The club will cover all race entry fees.

Here are the 6 fixtures:

Saturday 29th September-Wrekenton

Saturday 27th October-Gosforth Park

Saturday 17th November-Aykley Heads, Durham

Sunday 7th October-Druridge Bay

Saturday 9th February-Thornley Farm, near Peterlee

Saturday 2nd March-Alnwick

Also, on Saturday 5th January there is the Sherman Cup/Davison Shield at South Shields.

Here’s the amended race times:

12.00 Under 11 Boys
12.05 Under 11 Girls
12.10 Under 17 men
12.15 U17 and U20 women
12.20 Under 15 Boys
12.25 Under 15 Girls
12:30 Under 13 boys
12:35 Under 13 girls
12.50 Senior & Veteran Women
13:50 Senior & Veteran Men

If you’d like to take part please email team captains Jo GASCOIGNE-OWENS and Dominic HARRIS at alnwickxc@gmail.com asap!

Many congratulations to all the Harriers who took part in the latest Grand Prix event, the Great North Run on Sunday 9th September. There were some very good performances not least from James WILLOUGHBY and Jon ARCHER who both ran under 1 hour 30 and from Mel STEER and Lisa BASTON who ran 1 hour 40 dead and 1.41.48 respectively. Also well done to Bev BLYTHE who took part in her first half marathon since she was a 13 year old! Here’s the results:

James WILLOUGHBY 1.27.18

Jon ARCHER 1.28.04

David HINDMARSH 1.37.57

Mel STEER 1.40.00

Lisa BASTON 1.41.48

Jason DAWSON 1.41.58

Bev BLYTHE 1.58.18

Keith SHOTTON 2.01.36

Stuart EABORN 2.07.08

Mairi CAMPBELL 2.07.59

Peter MEWAN 2.10.11

Louise CALLAGHAN 2.12.34

Louisa STEWART 2.14.09

Ruary SLATER 2.17.16

Paul WILKIE 2.19.01

John ROSS 2.27.13

Sally ARMSTRONG 2.27.34

Melanie SMITH 2.28.25

Laura McLEAN Jr 2.30.27

Paul DELLBRIDGE 2.34.20

Christine MAVROMICHAELIS 2.44.03

Lorna STEPHENSON 2.45.38

Grand Prix results to follow and hopefully we’ll find a few photos of Harriers at the event.

On Saturday 8th September Carole PAGE had an amazing run at the Druridge Bay Parkrun. She not only notched a course pb to finish 2nd female, but also smashed her own female 55-59 course record and her own course WAVA record. Thanks to her 20.07 she has set a WAVA score of 92.46%. An absolutely amazing performance. Getting back to her best is Alice TETLEY-PAUL who was next Harrier home for us in 31st ahead of Steve COWELL and Ian STEPHENSON.

Results:

11-Carole PAGE 20.07 (92.46%)

31-Alice TETLEY-PAUL 21.59 (67.40%)

39-Steve COWELL 22.27

48-Ian STEPHENSON 23.28 (66.62%)

91-Jennifer KNIGHT 27.59 (54.08%)

119-Eileen GUTHRIE 29.53 (59.01%)

120-Linda PATTERSON 29.54

130-Laura McLEAN Jr 30.22

143-Alison HUTCHINGS 31.51

156-Mark HUME 33.04

183-Christine HARDY 36.19

Elsewhere Phil HALL and Justine NORMAN were in action at the Thetford Parkrun. Phil was 5th overall in 19.25 and Justine was 40th in 23.55 to win the female 45 category. Other age category winners were Gay and Richard EASTOE at the Alness Parkrun, north of Inverness (didn’t realise there was anything north of Inverness). They ran together and were 1st in the age 60 categories both crossing the line in 27.59. At Sheffield Hallam Kim BRONZE was 249th in 25.46 and at Whitley Bay Phil LEE was 177th in 27.44.

Also that day the Ingram Show held its annual fell race. Famous for its tough climb and fast descent the Ingram Show Hill Race pulls in a modest but quality field of runners each year. Alnwick Harriers had four representatives turn out this year and the conditions were perfect for the hard and fast race. The race start is quick with the runners chasing the best line for the tough climb. Once underway heads are down and everyone is focussed on summiting the hill as fast as humanly possible. Once over the top downhill legs have to be quickly deployed and race pace is quadrupled for the smooth fast sprint for the finish. Alnwick Harrier and local race veteran Ross WILSON was first home to take the winners’ cup followed by a selection of talented runners from other north east clubs. Ollie TELFER was first Junior home in 6th place, just behind 5th placed Dan LENG. Mike TELFER was next home for Alnwick in 8th. A great crowd assembled for the race start then relocated themselves very quickly to the finish line further down the valley to welcome home the runners. An excellent village show race which is superbly organised.

Photos are of Carole and Eileen at Druridge Bay.

Alnwick Harrier Talia THOMPSON concluded her successful season with two more fantastic results at the North East Throws Festival held at Churchill Playing Fields last Wednesday night. Talia once again extended her own club records with personal best throws in the Shot Put (9.26m) and Hammer (20.74m) and took the silver and bronze medals.

Talia has developed and improved throughout the season and whilst still only in the first year of the U15 age category has placed highly in numerous competitions. Over the winter Talia will develop her strength and technique and promises to be even more successful next year.

Lauren BROWN took part in her first Junior Great North Run this year taking on runners from across the country at the iconic event on Saturday 8th September. Lauren was one of the younger runners in the 13 to 14 age group category and faced tough competition over the 4km course. The race starts on Newcastle Quayside where the runners head upstream and cross the river by the Swing Bridge. They then complete a loop on the Gateshead side before running home past the Sage and over the Millennium Bridge.

The race start was narrow and the girls had to compete hard for position before the first bottle-neck. Lauren held her ground over the first kilometre then slowly worked her way from 6th to 4th place before the final kilometre. Lauren maintained this position and enjoyed the run to the finish 4th in front of the large crowd in 15min 41s.

On Sunday 2nd September the 2nd Anne Allan 10k Coquet Trail Race took place in Felton, remembering long term club stalwart and committee member Anne who sadly passed away two years ago. The race is a toughie which caught many people by surprise last year!

1st home for us was Steve PATTERSON in 6th overall, finishing in 45.06. Next to finish for us was Peter GREY who was 13th overall and winner of the male 60 category. Jim LILLICO had a decent run and was 18th finisher. Also of note Dave BARTRUM was the winner of the male 50 category. For our women Lisa ATHEY had a very good run and won the shield for being 1st female Harrier home. She was 4th overall female and finished just over a minute ahead of Lisa BASTON. In a close battle Annabel LILLICO just held off Jo POWELL to finish 3rd female Harrier.

Results:

6-Steve PATTERSON 45.06

13-Peter GREY 49.03

18-Jim LILLICO 52.45

19-Lisa ATHEY 52.51

21-Lisa BASTON 54.06

24-Ian SIMON 54.51

25-David HENDERSON 55.32

26-Annabel LILLICO 55.58

27-Jo POWELL 56.04

31-Dave BARTRUM 57.48

37-Graham SKIRROW 58.53

43-Ian STEPHENSON 59.53

56-Chris STEWART 1.02.46

58-Mark LATHAM 1.03.39

60-Louise CALLAGHAN 1.03.44

86-Phil LEE 1.10.19

88-George WILLIAMS 1.10.27

99-Laura McLEAN Jr 1.12.58

107-Una McCAIG 1.15.20

108-Sue SKIRROW 1.15.22

114-Jennifer KNIGHT 1.16.22

121-Linda PATTERSON 1.18.35

This year there was also a Junior Race which was dominated by our Junior members! Winner of the race was in form Ollie TELFER, just holding off Lauren BROWN who was 1st girl home. Not far behind Lauren in 3rd place was Millie BREESE and Hannah JOHNSTONE was 4th. Results:

1-Ollie TELFER 11.43

2-Lauren BROWN 11.49

3-Millie BREESE 12.02

4-Hannah JOHNSTONE 12.47

9-Molly JOHNSTONE 14.41

20-Ava FINDLAY 18.01

22-Tamsin HUTTON-STOTT 19.10

23-Alex KNIGHT 19.26

It was great to see a decent number of Harriers take part in this race, our latest Grand Prix event. Latest standings will be out asap. Above photos are of Annabel LILLICO/Jo POWELL and Dave BARTRUM, as well as our Juniors!

On Saturday 1st September 18 Harriers took part in the Druridge Bay Parkrun with Jason DAWSON finishing 1st of our athletes in 10th overall. Jason finished in 20.25 and was 30 seconds ahead of Carole PAGE. Carole was 2nd female finisher on the day in 15th overall. Also of note Peter EMBLETON and David COOPER were 1st finishers in the male 65 and 70 categories! Results:

10-Jason DAWSON 20.25 (70.53%)

15-Carole PAGE 20.55

16-Robert BADDELEY 21.06

23-Steve COWELL 22.10

28-Jo POWELL 22.51 (69.51%)

42-Ian STEPHENSON 24.13

49-Peter EMBLETON 24.28 (69.82%)

55-Kim BRONZE 24.58 (62.08%)

86-David COOPER 26.56 (65.47%)

95-Nell GAIR 27.31

104-Louise SYERS 28.26

105-Graham SYERS 28.27

109-David HINDMARSH 28.38

111-Eleanor HEELEY 28.46

121-Jennifer KNIGHT 29.08

186-Alice TETLEY-PAUL 34.55

195-Lorna STEPHENSON 36.21 (45.58%)

197-Christine HARDY 36.43

Also that morning Mark HUME was over in the Lakes taking part in the Keswick Parkrun. Mark was 170th overall in 33.22.

Finally for the day Steve STUDLEY took part in the gruelling Ben Nevis Fell Race! This is an 8.7 mile slog up to the top of Britains highest mountain, and back down. Steve ran well and finished 392nd in 2.37.46.

The following day Gay and Richard EASTOE took part in the Carlisle Half Marathon. Congratulations to Gay who won the female 60 category with her time of 2.02.39. Husband Richard was home in 1.59.10.

Back on Thursday 30th August 2 Harriers took part in the Watergate 5k, organised by Low Fell Running Club. Of our duo Steve PATTERSON was first home in 31st place clocking 18.03. Meanwhile Carole PAGE raced really well and dipped under 20 minutes to win the female 55 prize in 19.56. She was 9th female overall. Well done to both!

Photos are of Jason DAWSON at Druridge Bay, Steve STUDLEY and kids after the Ben Nevis Fell Race, the EASTOEs in Carlisle and Steve PATTERSON at the Watergate 5k.

The youngest Junior Harrier athletes attended the final North Of Tyne Athletics Network Grand Prix match on Sunday 2nd September. The 6th meeting concluded the overall series with 3 Alnwick boys contesting final overall positions.

Leila THOMPSON (Y5) jumped a good personal best of 3.15m in the long jump and managed a throw of over 21m in the howler to finish her season off fantastically. The Y6 boys have competed well together all season meaning Alfie TEMPLE, Oscar CHISHOLM and Harris HALL all entered the final round with a chance of winning an overall medal. Although the competition was tough and in the final standings only Harris won a podium place the boys have had an excellent season and have improved superbly representing the club admirably.

Last weekend the annual Tartan Games at Gateshead Stadium received the first really unpleasant day of summer weather. Cold, wet and windy conditions weren’t helpful to the Senior and Junior competitors. However, on the track Lauren BROWN (U15) ran a respectable 800m to finish 3rd and Leila THOMPSON competed well in the sprint and shot put. In this competition Leila was able to enter an age group above enabling her to take part in the U13 girls shot put where she threw an excellent 4.74m. Sister Talia THOMPSON was not put off by the weather and once again extended her shot put personal best with her first throw over 9m! Talia has also achieved a personal best of 20.54m in the javelin an event she has improved significantly in over the summer months.

Photos are of Harris HALL in long jump action and the THOMPSON sisters.