Northumberland Coastal Run 2023

Announcement

A date has been set for the 2023 Northumberland Coastal Run of Sunday 17th September at 9.30am approx. The later date is to avoid the bird nesting season at the Long Nanny Beadnell Bay Bird Sanctuary.

We are aiming to open registration on the 9th February at 6pm and are expecting it to be sold out on the same day, so please add this to your calendar.

The costs this year will be £32 for affiliated runners and £34 for all those not affiliated. The coach to the start will be provided at a cost of £6 per head. This year you will be asked if you require a T-Shirt rather than automatically providing one; these will cost £10.

Please note this year there will be no option to transfer or receive any refunds once registered. It is also suggested that if you are unsure if you need the bus seat, please book it, as we are unable to provide more spaces at a later date.

The route will go back to its original format so we will be heading directly to Alnmouth from the beautiful beach at the Beadnell

The link to register on Results Base will be posted here prior to registration day on Feb 9th 2023

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Social Coastal Run

Alnwick Harrier members and guests are invited to join with Alnwick Tri Club on 27th December 2022 for this year’s social coastal run. Registration from 10am at the Hindmarsh Hall in Alnmouth, everyone to sign in. Juniors need to be accompanied by an adult.

Run starts on the beach at 10.30am and is an out and back course to Craster (or less if you prefer)

Bring Christmas leftovers (nothing that needs heating up) to share after the run back in the Hindmarsh Hall.

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Brampton to Carlisle 10 Mile, 20th November 2022

A damp and dark morning heralded the four intrepid Alnwick Harriers who ventured west across the Pennines towards the oldest 10 mile road race in the UK, on its 70th anniversary. As the rain clouds dried up, the sun came out and shone brightly on the 700+ runners who enjoyed the first few miles of downhill before the undulations started! At the end of the race the runners were rewarded with a fast downhill sprint to the finish line on the bridge over the River Eden.

Jim Allan was first Alnwick Harrier home in 00:59:28, followed closely by Rob Andrew in 01:02:33 who finished 3rd V55. Jo Powell finished strong in 01:13:19 just missing out on a V45 category place, with Tess Allan finishing in 01:38:18.

Many thanks to Border Harriers, and to all the marshalls and volunteers for hosting an excellent race.

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Race report by Tess Allan

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Wild Deer Events Slaley 10k and Half Marathon, 20th November

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The picture makes it look like we started in good conditions but it was freezing on the start line and it rained before we were 2k in. The torrential rain overnight meant some of the trail was ankle deep in mud and trail shoes were not grippy enough to keep everyone on their feet. With about 350m of climbing on the Half marathon and 175m on the 10k, otherwise known as brutal (or in my head, great fun). Conditions were so bad the route had to be changed slightly with the bit added on being after the golf course so making it even longer from seeing the finish line until you actually got there.

On the way there, our car full were all arguing about who was the most under-trained for the event and at the end of the race none of us were able to even bend down to take our muddy shoes off so I think we were all self-aware of our abilities.

Both races started at the same time and followed the same first ~4k before the HM runners were diverted off for 11k along the tops of the fells, mostly on fire roads where there was some sort of micro-climate that was the hottest place on earth, before rejoining the 10k route for the quagmire that was the last 6k. Ruth Doctor and Mary Plumley were amongst the 208 who did the reasonably sensible 10k whilst Simon Tibbitts, Tracey Sample and Justine Norman joined the 130 runners doing the half.

Bacon butties were waiting for us at the finish line so it wasn’t all bad.

Results: 10k: Ruth Doctor 1:05:50 30th female, 10th in 40-49 cat; Mary Plumley 1:06:57 34th female, 12th in 40-49 cat. Half Marathon: Simon Tibbitts 2:07:03 54th Male, 7th in 50-59 cat; Tracey Sample 2:12:25 20th female, 3rd in 50-59 cat; Justine Norman 2:31:18 34th female, 9th in 50-59 cat

Race report by Tracey Sample

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Sunday 6th November: Norman Woodcock Relays, Gosforth Park & Wooler Trail Half Marathon

A trio of Alnwick Harriers made the journey to Gosforth Park, leaving murky conditions in Alnwick to arrive to sunshine and mild weather at Gosforth. Each runner ran one lap of the road that runs inside the race track so made for a nice fast race. Was supposed to be 1.5 miles per lap but probably nearer 1.7!

Diana Weightman ran the first leg in 12.16 mins, Lisa Baston the second leg in 11.03 mins and bringing the team home was Rob Andrew in 9.17 mins.

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Race report by Lisa Baston

Sunshine and balmy weather (for November in the Cheviots anyway!) greeted the Alnwick Harriers at this years Trail Outlaws Wooler Half Marathon. A slightly adjusted route from previous years required the runners to traverse the road (instead of the woods) from the start point at the youth hostel up to Wooler common. Once on the common the course reverted to the usual route incorporating the utterly brutal climb just after the checkpoint through the foothills of “Yeavering Hell.”

A spectacular run from Rosie Davison landed her a place on the podium in second – well done Rosie (2:14). There was also an impressive category win for Karen Mather (1st F60, 13th female, 2:29). Also threatening the top 10 was Jim Allan (11th male), who picked up 1st M50 (1:49). The Harriers clearly enjoy this route because strong runs were also posted by Peter Coulthard (2:17), Steven Studley (2:51), Jennifer Knight (3:17), Linda Patterson (3:17), Jayne Baker (3:40) and Tess Allan (3:40).

Thanks to Trail Outlaws, Mountain Rescue and all the marshalls who made this event possible. Huge thanks also go to Mike Telfer for turning out to support the Harriers on St. Cuthbert’s way (he was the one and only spectator on the course!) – it’s always a tonic to see his encouraging smile!

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Race report by Jim Allan

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The Pastures Parkrun and Druridge Bay Parkrun Saturday 5th November 2022

Oodles of enthusiastic Alnwick Harriers braved the cold and wet to take on the last eligible Parkruns of the 2022 Grand Prix season.

Keith Geldert (21.07) was first Harrier across the line down at The Pastures, followed in by Jasmine Friend (22.08), Tony Jackson (23.22), Alice Tetley-Paul (25.24), Fiona Nicholls (26.15), David Henderson (26.22) and Georgina Tetley-Paul (on buggy duties). Ten miles down the road at Druridge there was a right old ding-dong between Liam McDonogh, Nick Biggers and Jim Allan, with only 4 seconds separating all three. Nick posted a 5K personal best (18.07) to finish in 5th place overall and just one second behind Jim, who ran the second fastest M50 time at Druridge Bay (Alnwick Harriers Phil Hemsley is the only person to have ever run faster in that age-group). However, bragging rights on the day go to Liam (JM11-14), who finished an impressive third in a time of 18.03.

There were also strong performances from Harris Hall (20.33) JM15-17, Carole Page (20.43, 96.38% age-grade), Jo Powell (22.11), Robert Baddeley (22.57), Tim Broomfield (25.01), Justine Norman (25.46), Karen Leeson (26.20), Mel Clegg (26.22), Rebecca Heeley (26.27) JW11-14, Rachel Davidson (27.09), Tess Allan (28.35), George Williams (29.14), Rachel Claire Heeley (31.35) and Lorna Stephenson (38.36). Of these, Tess Allan posted a 1 minute 5K personal best in what was her first 60% age-grade run.

Well done to all the Harriers and thanks to all the volunteers who make Parkrun possible.

Photo courtesy of Druridge Bay parkrun, race report by Jim Allan

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NEHL – Lambton, Saturday 29th October

A team of seven ladies, braved the drizzly weather to run the NEHL Cross Country fixture at Lambton, a fantastic mixed terrain course featuring a few sharp climbs and some slippy decents. Rain over the past weeks had created plenty of mud on the course.

A brilliant result for Helen Waugh, on her first XC for Alnwick Harriers coming second overall in a time of 30:42. The remainer ladies team results were then: Jo Clemmit 39:23; Diana Weightman 39:47; Jen Knight 40:36; Emma McGee 41:47; Linda Patterson 49:05; Tess Allan 51:35

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The men’s team also had a great race. Aaron was first home in 49th place and Jim fastest from the medium pack in 43:36.

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Racing for the U11s, Finley & Luca finishing 22nd & 29th in a big field. In the U13 girls race Alicia finished in a superb 5th place and Emilia running from the fast pack finished in a great 16th. Liam was our only U15 boy racing today but finished 10th & was 3rd placed fast packer in an excellent time of 13:04. In the U15 girls race Farren ran a great 12th place & Aimee 36th. Finally in the U17 women’s race Lilia & Lily Mae ran well in a strong field to finish 24th & 40th.

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Full results at http://www.harrierleague.com/results/2022-23/Lambton/

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Castles Half Marathon

Six Harriers ran in the Castles Half Marathon at Bamburgh yesterday. It was a pretty misty day, but the weather was mild and thankfully it stayed dry and the wind was pretty light. Most agreed that the course felt harder than it looked on paper, with plenty of short climbs to keep you interested!

Not a bad turnout with 284 completing the course on what were supposed to be closed roads, but the odd car appeared every so often. Some great category results from 5 out of the 6 Harriers:

1:35:59 Keith Geldert (1st V55); 1:50:44 Jo Clemmit (3rd V50); 1:50:52 Mel Steer (4th V50); 1:51:19 Tony Jackson (19th V50); 1:55:12 Karen Mather (1st V60); 2:11:13 Bridget Peberdy (6th V60)

Race report by Tony Jackson

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Announcement – Northumberland Coastal Run – Diary Date!!

A date has been set for the 2023 Northumberland Coastal Run of Sunday 17th September.

The later date is for the avoidance of the bird nesting season at the Long Nanny Beadnell Bay Bird Sanctuary when access is restricted.

Further details will be published in the new year.

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NEHL Cross Country, Druridge

Great results for the  junior’s at Druridge XC today. After course confusion last year Alastair Johnston (U13) finally got his well-deserved win this time round!. Supported by Jack, Albie, Joel & Luke the boys finished as 2nd team. Brilliant. 
Emilia Waugh (U13) also had a fine run  winning the girls category.  Daisy Sharp in her first race for  harriers was next home in 11th place, a fantastic result!

In the U11s Finley Waugh finished an impressive 6th in his first race, Luca Wilson produced a solid performance to finish 25th, &  James Miley managed a great 42nd. Rosie Overhead was our only U11 girl today  but ran brilliantly on her club debut to finish 33rd.

Harry Knox ran his 2nd good race of the weekend to take 2nd place in the U15s and Liam McDonogh running from the fast pack ran the fastest Alnwick time of the day to finish 15th! Another great set of results. The U15 girls produced a good 5th team place with Issy, Farren & Harriet being the first 3 counters &  Aimee being the 4th home for the girls.

Lily Mae Tannock & Olivia Sharp (U17)  also had  great debut races. Olivia  finishing highest in 16th. Well done to both girls its a  tough introduction to the league starting in the oldest age category!

Finally Max Murray John (U17)returned from retirement to run a fantastic race and achieve 5th place😀. Well done Max great to have you back.

A fantastic set of results. Thank you to everyone who turned out to compete and support.  Full results at: http://www.harrierleague.com/results/2022-23/Druridge/

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Junior Race Report by Mike Telfer

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