Are any Alnwick Harriers interested in participating in the Signals Relays? It’s a really good event and it would be fantastic if the club could show our support for the North Eastern Athletics Association by submitting a few teams.
If you wish to register your interest then please contact Diana Weightman diana.weightman63@hotmail.com.
Entries close on 7th February.
4 Harriers took part in the Cold Brew Events Winter Wipeout on Sunday 9th Jan. A trail/fell half marathon from Ingram Cafe up to the top of Hedgehope and back, with 5 stream crossings, a (shallow) river crossing and the sting in the tail that is going up the steep side of Brough Law. It was -2 deg C when we set out so the first 2k along the road was sheet ice and then turning up on to the fells past Cunyan Crags, it was getting very pretty with the snow but by the time the actual Hedgehope Hill climb started, we were in the clouds, the snow had turned to ice and the winds were gusting to 48mph.
The race was won by Craig Jones of Tyne Bridge Harriers in 1hr 58 min 50 sec, some 6 min ahead of second place.Mike Telfer and Ross Wilson ran together and used their local knowledge to float up to the top whilst Steve Cowell trudged up there in and hour and a half, with me another 20 min behind. The ice made the descent treacherous as the bogs had iced over and were either very slippy or in danger of breaking through to thigh deep bog beneath (don’t ask me how I know it was thigh deep).
The river crossing was at the base of Brough law, just 2km from the finish and whilst the mountains goats made short work of it, it took me 37 min to do that last stretch. Of course this was nothing to do with the fact that I was soaked through from an alleged pathetic fall in to the river, which may or may not have been captured on drone footage by Drew, the race organiser, who may have been laughing very heartily whilst assuring me it was ok as he got it all on camera.
At the end, we all got a smashing cup of soup at the cafe and had a good gossip about how hard it was.
Results:- 37. Mike Telfer 2hrs 38 min 35 sec (4th MV50)38. Ross Wilson 2 hrs 38 min 36 sec99. Steve Cowell 3hrs 12 min 8 sec145. Tracey Sample 3 hrs 33 min 21 sec
Race report by Tracey Sample
Further to our recent notification of Registration details please can I let all those intending to apply to note the following:
Registration opens at 6.30 pm prompt today. There are limited spaces available. Your place is not secure until the entry process is complete (if spaces are sold out whilst completing the registration process you have not secured a place)
All queries and concerns are to be directed in the first instance to Laura McLean at ahcoastalrun2019@gmail.com
Good Luck everyone!
Registration: 6.30pm, 13th January 2022
We are pleased to be able to offer the few remaining places to join our Coastal Run event which has been rolled over from 2020. For those already registered your place remains and you do not need to re-register. The cost for the event is £30 for non-affiliated runners and £28 for affiliated members. This is not a fun run and is over difficult terrain with a cut off point of 3 hours 15 minutes.
The registration will take place online at 6.30pm on the 13th January 2022 and we are predicting it will be sold out in a very short time. There will be no further spaces available after this release. Registration will be again managed by Results Base and to register you must use the following link:
https://resultsbase.net/event/5644
Please note that we are unable to offer refunds if you are later unable to attend, but we are happy to accommodate transfers up until a date confirmed nearer the time.
Any questions regarding the registration please contact Laura McLean on
It was a fine day for the first cross country event of the New Year; conditions were extremely muddy making it a ‘proper’ cross country course. As if that wasn’t enough, they also added a fence hurdle for us to negotiate.
The first Alnwick Harrier to compete was Farren Henderson in the U13 girls’, who had an excellent race, finishing 5th overall. Next up in the U15 category were Lilia Purvis and Catherine Purvis, who finished in a very creditable 19th and 20th places, respectively. Finally for the juniors, Euan Friend was the only Alnwick Harrier to race in the U17 boys’ race. He had a superb race to finish 16th overall.
The senior women managed to field a full team, which included Tess Allan, who was running at a cross country event for the first time. First to come in for Alnwick was Ann Tetley-Paul with a time of 36:43, followed by Jennifer Knight in 44:37; Linda Patterson in 52:20 and close behind was Tess Allan with a time of 52:55. Also in the mix was the legendary Mike Henry, with a time of 38:17.
Unfortunately, the senior men couldn’t put out a full team but were still well represented by four Harriers, including two who were carrying injuries, one first timer and one who claimed that he hates cross country. First Alnwick man home was Jim Allan who finished with a time of 45:08; an fantastic result, especially considering it was his first cross country event. He was followed by first of the lame ducks – Tony Jackson in 53:21, followed by the second lame duck – Andy Squires in 56:40 and finally, bringing up the rear was the man that loves to hate cross country, Dave Hindmarsh in 64:10.
Thanks to all those that turned out to wallow in the mud – you made it an unforgettable day.
Andy Squires – Senior Mens’ Team Captain
🏃♂️🏃♀️IMPORTANT INFO FOR MEMBERS 🏃♀️🏃♂️
As from Wednesday night, 5th January, Alnwick Harriers will be relocating to Rugby Club as our training meeting hub. Lights will be on in carpark and toilets and showers available.
The last Wednesday night in every month the club house bar will be open for our use for drinks 🍻🥂and a social night (after training though!!)😂.
See you all Wednesday night. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Happy new year everyone!
Is anyone interested in taking part in this relay xc event hosted by Birtley harriers on Sunday 16th January? If so send Diana Weightman a message and she will put teams together.
Here is the link for information.
38 people (and some dogs) turned up for Monday’s social coastal, with a revised Alnmouth to Craster (or anywhere in between) out and back run. Two members went for an extra early start with a Craster to Alnmouth and back route (joining everyone as they left Alnmouth), taking them up to almost 16 miles as they avoided the early high tide at Seaton Point.
Despite the cool start, everyone was in great form and set off promptly (well – most slightly early as they were getting cold waiting). Most were aiming for Boulmer, with a reasonable proportion doing more than planned and 12 managing the full route. Water and sweets were provided at Seaton Point, Boulmer and Craster – thanks to marshals Geoff and Louise for their time. Everyone made it back safely, I was told Zoe didn’t get lost this year which was a first and that it was good running conditions, although the return part had a headwind. I guess that meant the first part had a tailwind, but no one mentioned that….Back to the Hindmarsh Hall for delicious catered homemade soup, focaccia and cake and coffee. Many thanks to Chris, Grazia and Wallace for doing the catering in a safe and enjoyable manner. And finally, thanks to everyone for coming and making it a grand day out.
Alnwick Tri club once again invite Alnwick Harriers to join them in the annual social coastal run. It will be held on 27th December but this year it will be an out and back run to Craster or Sugarsands for a shorter course. Meeting on the beach at Alnmouth at 10.15am for a 10.30am start. Soup will be served afterwards from a van on the beach. Please let me know if you want to take part as we need numbers for the catering (soup). A request is for everyone to do a LFT prior to the event.
Please let me know if you want to take part by Christmas Eve by either message on here or email me on – mallens3@btinternet.com
Many thanks. 🥳🎅🏼🏃♂️🎄🏃♀️
As the sky darkened and the moon began to show its face, at a time when all good hobbits are safety tucked up in their hobbit holes eating their third and fourth helpings of the tenth meal of the day, they came. On foot and by carriage, in ones and twos they came, in the steadily developing gloom. Unlike other sensible mortals at this time of year they appeared half naked, wearing nothing but flimsy lycra and light shoes to protect them from the cold winter elements.
Gathering at their appointed place of the Burn by the Willows, like moths to a flickering flame, they huddled in a dimly lit corner. A passerby would have heard strange mutterings, in a tongue rarely encountered in these environs. Parlauf! Parlauf! Parlauf! Like the strange chant of a Saxon Druid it permeated among them. The clink of coins thrown into a chest echoed around as one by one, some more reluctantly than others, paid their tithe. Each, hearing their name called out answered the call. So from a disorganised rabble emerged tightly knit groups of three. Each trio had in their possession a baton decorated in the hues of Christmases long since gone which they waved as if to ward off evil spirits.Leaving the meagre sanctity of the Burn they faced the winter wind and headed willy-nilly to a place of learning to continue their ritual.
At a given signal each took their turn chasing each other round and round in circles, going nowhere. Their fellows would whoop and cheer loudly as their chosen warrior came into view,frightening locals and wildlife alike. This seemed to go on for hours although truth be told it lasted less than half an hour of the clock. Finally as a tall man chased a petite woman as if he was trying to get to the pub for last orders the crowd reached its crescendo. Much merriment and the clapping together of hands followed as the huffs and puffs and steaming bodies of the participants crossed some arbitrary line.
It was over! The festivities could begin. At the local hostelry “The Hogs Head Inn” our intrepid band gathered to partake in vittles and strong ale. Prizes were awarded to those who had performed well on the night and to those who hadn’t, a greatly treasured, highly decorated spoon was bestowed. For those deemed of special merit for performing throughout the year a glass etched with their name on was presented. And so as the witching hour drew closer, they returned to the bosoms of their friends and family to prepare for Christmas. Happy Christmas one and all.
Also on the evening of the Parlauf, the greatly anticipated and prestigious Grand Prix awards were handed out, with Rob Andrew running away with the coveted first place.
And Ella Brown presented our annual award the Robert Brown Trophy in honour of her late husband. This award recognises achievement at Druridge Bay parkrun and this year was presented to the first Alnwick Harrier to finish at the first DBpr after lockdown. Well done Geoff Givens!
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