Alnwick Harriers hosted the 5th of 6 North East Harrier League events on Saturday 3rd March, the first League event in the Pastures for almost 20 years.
The race attracted 100′s of club runners from the north east region eager to run the new course. They were overwhelmed by the outstandingly picturesque setting, with even the weather creating a perfect day for the runners and the many spectators.
The course of laps, each making up a 2mile (unmeasured) route, was mainly over grassland with a difficult and challenging uphill climb within the 2nd quarter followed by a flat tree lined section then a steep downhill stretch back to the starting point.
The highlight of the day was two Alnwick Senior Ladies finishing their distance (2 Laps) in the overall top 10, with Jo GASCOIGNE-OWENS coming home in a brilliant 2nd place in a time of 29:35 and Sam EMBLETON in 7th place (30:53) both running themselves into the medium pack for the final event. The overall Senior Ladies winner on the day was Louise HAYES of North Shields Poly in 29 mins dead. 3rd to finish for us, running well, was Tina MURTON in 35:34.
The Alnwick Ladies team came a well deserved 2nd place overall on the day and are now in a healthy 4th position of their league.
The Senior Mens race over 3 laps consisted of a near record turn out for the year with almost 350 entrants. The overall winner of the race was Wallsend Harriers Lee KERNOHAN almost 30 seconds ahead of second place in 37:29. First to complete the distance for Alnwick was Dave LOWE in a great time of 42:30 He was followed by a tremendous run from the medium pack by Bruce CROMBIE in a time of 43:05 and then Richard AGAN also from the medium pack in 43:34. Fourth place was taken by Jim LILLICO in 44:03, whilst the fifth and sixth counters were Adam SPILLER in 44:19 and Andy SQUIRES in 44:39.
The Alnwick Team came in 9th overall position on the day in their league however following their promotion last season they are unfortunately sitting in bottom position overall for the season with one more fixture in league Division 1
Only positive comments regarding the race organisation and route on the day were heard from the athletes and it is hoped this could become an annual event in the future.
Alnwick Harriers would like to thank Alnwick Castle Estates and all friends and family who helped coordinate and marshal a very successful day. Also thanks to The Black Olive on Baillifgate for their very nice refreshments!
Next event is Prudhoe 27/03/2012.
Mens/Boys NEHL Tables and Grand Prix Points (Alnwick)
Ladies/Girls/Under 11′s NEHL Results (Alnwick)
Some footage of the race is available at www.northeastrunner.co.uk/alnwick-harrier-league.html
Female Harriers results:
2-Jo GASCOIGNE-OWENS (S) 29.35
7-Sam EMBLETON (S) 30.53
76-Tina MURTON (S) 35.34
78-Bridget PEBERDY (S) 35.47
93-Mary PLUMLEY (S) 37.02
96-Ruth DOCTOR (S) 37.31
124-Claire GILLINGHAM (S) 42.43
Male Harriers results:
68-David LOWE (S) 42.30
86-Bruce CROMBIE (M) 43.05
104-Richard AGAN (M) 43.34
116-Jim LILLICO (S) 44.03
126-Adam SPILLER (S) 44.19
136-Andy SQUIRES (S) 44.39
151-Graham SYERS (M) 45.00
167-David HINDMARSH (S) 45.23
205-Stuart MORRIS (S) 47.10
224-Mike TELFER (M) 48.01
255-John CALLAGHAN (S) 49.21
274-David HENDERSON (S) 50.34
327-Phil LEE (S) 56.12
342-Mark HUME (S) 1.12.42
Boys Under 17 result:
12-George SKIRROW (S) 30.04
Boys Under 15 results:
6-Isaac MOSS (F) 14.01
8-Adam WEIGHTMAN (F) 14.09
12-Peter SKIRROW (S) 14.24
15-Adam SHAFIQ (F) 14.32
17-Daniel LENG (F) 14.35
20-Daniel MALLEN (S) 14.45
29-Harvey COXON (S) 15.18
Boys Under 13′s results:
5-Alex TAIT (S) 14.39
8-Harry DAVISON (S) 14.44
12-Jack ROBSON (F) 15.11
17-Ben KELLY (F) 15.36
25-Alfie MURTON (F) 15.49
31-Sam THOMPSON (F) 16.15
35-Oliver GILLINGHAM (S) 16.28
41-Joe STRAKER (S) 17.04
42-Elliot CAMPBELL (S) 17.35
43-Owen DAVIDSON (S) 17.41
Under 11′s Mixed results:
1-Warren DAVISON 4.58
8-Kieran DOWER 5.28
15-Isabella NERI 5.50
20-Josh McMEEKING 6.00
29-Luke McMEEKING 6.39
Female Under 17/20 result:
2-Molly MURTON (S) 15.08
Girls Under 15′s results:
3-Rosie MURTON (F) 15.23
7-Suzanne BARWISE-MUNRO (F) 15.35
16-Beth LEWINGTON (S) 16.59
20-Yasmine SHAFIQ (S) 17.08
21-Charlotte BASTON (S) 18.07
Girls Under 13′s results:
18-Layla SHAFIQ (S) 17.29
22-Amy THORNE (S) 17.46
33-Caitlyn BUTLER-McKEOWN (S) 22.02
More photos are available to view by clicking below:
Well done Alnwick harriers. A proper cross country course which was very challenging. Well organised and well marshalled
Ron Murray
Tyne Bridge harriers