News

The return of the now annual pilgrimage to Newcastle for the Great North run started early on Saturday this year with the junior and 5k. Our junior athletes produced some outstanding performances with Harry Robson, Laura Kirkham and Alana Teasdale placed in the top 10 for their age groups. Harry was 6^th (15/16 age group, 13:32), Laura 7^th (15/16 age group, 17:04).and Alana 10^th (9/10 age group, 17:57). Other excellent performances were produced by Eleanor West who was 31^st (15/16 age group, 20:08), Anna Harrison in 38^th (13/14 age group, 18:05), Vanesa Roper in 78^th (13/14 age group, 20:48), Eliza Withers in 82^nd (13/14 age group, 21:03), Joe Withers in 178^th (11/12 age group, 20:22) and James West in 258^th (11/12 age group, 21:55). Ken Harker was also taking to the streets of Newcastle and had an excellent race to finish 17^th in 18:25. Michelle Nolan was the 1^st lady across the line in 28^th position (19:05), husband Tom also took part and finished in 247^th (28:08 and a new pb). The main event on Sunday also produced some spectacular results Jeremy Pattison led them home in 271^st, smashing his pb in the process by over a minute and a half (01:23:44). Lee Davies also flew round in 01:29:25 (723^rd and a new pb), Lucy Goundry in a fantastic 01:37:01 (1908th and a new pb), the flying Peter Armstrong was 845^th and an excellent run in 01:30:26 and the heat loving Donna Riddler (1509^th, 01:34:50). Simon Withers also produced a solid performance in 3486^th (01:43:08), Tony Ditchburn took on just enough liquid at his regular refreshment station to make the finish and was 6858^th (01:51:42 and a seasons best) and Michelle Todd in an excellent 02:13:22 and a new pb in the process.

Darlington parkrun was not neglected and another harrier was 1^st across the line this week with Luke Hack producing a new personnel best performance in the process (1^st, 17:27). He left Dad, David trailing in his wake who finished in 4^th just outside his pb (17:44). Shaun Purkiss had a decent run in 14^th (20:23), Peter Armstrong was 72^nd in 24:15, the ever improving Jane Hack was 114^th in 26:54 and another new pb which is becoming a very regular occurrence.

Tony Lambert continues to run well on the trail racing circuit and was 5^th overall and the 1^st Vet40 at the Great Westmoreland 7 mile trail race (48:36).This week he either took his compass or decided to sit on a few shoulders until he knew where he was going! Ian Hepworth was also on his travels this week to the Garstang half marathon in Lancashire where he finished a strong run in a new pb of 1:54:47 in 94^th overall and in the prizes as the 3^rd M Vet 60+, but the 2^nd M Vet 65+!