News

Richmond and Zetland Harriers next generation showcased their talents as the sports hall athletics in Richmond. This series of events allows the younger athletes to develop an interest in not just running, but the throwing and jumping events. In the U11 events, our athletes were right up at the top of the leader boards. In the boys Peter Longstaff was 1^st in both the 1, 2 lap and the hurdle races, with Joshua Hammett 2^nd in both and Riley Teasdale 7^th in each one. In the chest press, Peter again was 1^st, with Joshua in 6^th and Riley 7^th. In the target competition Riley came to the fore and was 1^st with Peter and Joshua in joint 3^rd. Peter was 2^nd in the vertical jump with Riley a superb 3^rd and Joshua 6^th. In the long jump, Riley was 3^rd, Joshua 4^th and Peter 6^th. Peter was 4^th in the triple jump with Riley 5^th and Joshua 6^th. Alana Teasdale and Holly McCowie represented the U11 girls in similar competitions with Alana winning the 1, 2 lap, hurdles, target and was 2^nd in the long jump and 3^rd in the vertical jump. Hollie was 5^th in the 1 lap, 3^rd in the 2 lap, 3^rd in the hurdles, 2^nd in the balance, 5^th in the target and a fantastic 1^st in the vertical jump! Katie Wood and Emily Harris were in the U13 girls competition. Emily won the 2 lap, 4 lap, Speed B, long jump, triple jump and was 2^nd in the vertical jump. Katie excelled also and was 2^nd in the 2 lap, Speed B, long jump and triple jump but got the better of Emily in the vertical jump for 1^st! In the U13 boys, George McCowie was 3^rd and James West 4^th in the 2 lap race. George was also 1^st in the 4 lap race, 2^nd in the speed B, 3^rd in the long, triple and vertical jumps. James was 3^rd in the speed B, 4^th in the long, triple and vertical jumps. In the girls U15 it was a straight race between our 2 athletes, Eliza Withers and Vanessa Roper with Eliza just edging some very close results in each event from Vanessa. 

Peter Armstrong ran the Heaton 10k at the now famous Town Moor course and was very pleased with his wind swept, 98^th position, in 39:40.

Across the region this weeks parkruns were probably the wettest ever. Torrential rain blasted across everyone before, during and after each one. However, park runners are hardly souls and based on the turnouts none were put off! Darlington had the largest number of Richmond athletes running with Carl Jones showing everyone a clean pair of heels to record another victory in 17:13. Harry Robson was next in 2nd (17:35), Luke Hack (4th, 18:05), Jeremy Pattison (6th, 18:44) and the charging Julian Simpson followed in 7th and 19:04. Shaun Purkiss continues his return to form and acted as a pace maker in 17th (20:44), Laura Kirkham was 58th (22:34), followed by Anna Harrison (65th, 23:02), Mark Fletcher (78th, 24:16) and Jane Hack (115th, 26:47). Performance of the day went to Nicki Billows who was 117th in a massive new pb by over a minute (26:53)! Sally Harrison was 150th (28:54), Jane Bond was 156th (29:20) and Natalie Wood in 185th (32:21) in yet another pb! 

Stewart park was the setting for the soaking experienced by Rob Scott (1st, 18:14), Jo Adams (5th overall, 1st lady, 18:44 and a new pb), Peter Armstrong (14th, 20:09) and Rosie Adams (15th, 2nd lady, 20:18). At a rather damp Albert park Ken Harker was in action and finished 6th (17:52).

Fountains abbey was one of the less soggy runs and Reece Dalton was 2nd in 17:00, with sister Chloe in 22nd but the 1st lady in a fantastic new pb (20:19).

Our athletes get younger and younger these days and start earlier and earlier. Kiki Fletcher on her first outing to the new junior parkrun held on Sunday mornings at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield over a 2km course, ran a composed race to finish 120^th out of 138 runners, but used her burst of pace to storm up the field in the last few metres, storming past her mum in the process who never did possess a kick (this must have been passed on from her father). Her time was 17:00. Another younger athlete who competed with Kiki was Ruby Cullen who in her first run was a fantastic 46^th and the 9^th girl (11:31). 

This week Peter Armstrong and Rob Scott auditioned for the Full Monty at Stewart Park, however both were turned down for the parts. Rob due to the fact that such a small towel was used that they may not have the appropriate props to fit him. Peter also was unfortunately turned down for his choice of boxer shorts. Rosie and Jo Adams are still looking for volunteers to audition if anyone else is interested!