21 toed the start line on Lancaster Park for the 5k Christmas handicap.
Numbers were a little down due to cry offs because of bugs going round but primarily because Clan MacDonald & JB had sacrificed the handicap for a trip to see Aladdin at the Theatre Royal... "oh yes they did”.
I’m not sure what the Panto was like but the gathering at the start of the race was like a scene from a Carry On film – total pandemonium with a delinquent Christmas Pudding misbehaving until the Chief Steward Mr Michael Briggs got a grip of proceedings – give that man a pen and a fluo jacket and he can sort anything... possibly even next year's handicap??!!
Micky Groves got the field underway, and Linda Bray on the lead bike led Sue Smith and Pam Woodcock around Lancaster Park and these two ladies stayed ahead of the chasing field to cross the line together, just ahead of 12-year-old Michael Leeson (we need to get Michael signed up – he’s got a great running style)!
I got all of you to the finish within 3.33 and only my mess up with 14-year-old Harry Armstrong's handicap led to a big gap at the end – apologies Harry and well done for turning out and taking part!
So here are the final results:
 
Position/Name/ H’cap time/ Actual time/ %age effort
1= Pam Woodcock 26.23 26.23 81.14%
1= Sue Smith 26.23 26.23 74.37%
3 Michael Leeson 26.34 23.44 60.77%
4 Gary Mason 26.36 23.46 63.03%
5 Robyn Ferguson 26.51 23.31 62.79%
6 Jane Briggs 27.12 24.22 70.90%
7 Les Cavill 27.14 24.26 64.82%
8 Paul Waterston 27.17 23.17 67.47%
9 Gordon Dixon 27.17 24.07 67.32%
10 Jane Kirby 27.26 21.36 75.67%
11 Andriy Volkov 27.34 19.24 69.68%
12 Jamie Johnson 27.37 19.27 75.27%
13 Rob Hancox 27.40 19.10 80.12%
14 Adam Pratt 27.43 17.28 76.36%
15 Andy Leeson 28.07 21.17 66.77%
16 Gwenda Cavill 28.10 23.20 78.49%
17 Gavin Bayne 28.21 19.51 85.37%
18 Lee Bennett 28.25 18.03 83.64%
19 Mark Snowball 28.31 18.09 72.39%
20 Claire Calverley 28.49 23.35 60.70%
21 Harry Armstrong 29.56 22.06 62.00%

As you can see, some outstanding performances from Gavin, Lee, Pam and Rob all smashing the 80% effort barrier and Adam running the quickest time of the night with an excellent 17.28!
Back at the hut there was lots of chat and the prize table was soon empty as were the boxes of Pringles on the buffet table – the samosas got rave reviews and Pam’s stollen was lush!
I finished Claire's biscuits with my morning cuppa and the unopened goodies and drink were sent to the food bank.
Big thanks to Peter Scaife, Bill Tilley and George Patterson for marshalling and recording on the night and thanks to all the runners for turning out to support the event – your kind comments are appreciated! It was a good night!
Happy Christmas and all best wishes for the new year,
Kevin Bray

​YuvnivverdunDunnordale? Calyerselafellrunna? WeymanyivegorraduDunnordale! Itzaclassic!
The words of Peter Reed, aged 71 ¾, founder member of Northumberland Fell Runners 25 years ago and a man whose enthusiasm for Fell Running is as strong as ever, even after 500 plus fell races!
So, off to Dunnerdale it was and I was back there last weekend for my 4th attempt at the race.
A beautiful place, great weather, a rugged, interesting 5 mile route with 1850’ of climbing, a lone Morpeth vest surrounded by my NFR mates and a top quality field at the front end that soon disappeared as we hauled ourselves up to the first top at Knott.
Trying to run off the top I realised I had overcooked my early effort and my lack of training due to a month swanning round Italy meant it was payback time.
Blimey, did I suffer! 

I kept plugging away and managed to pull a few places back on the run across to the final top at Great Stickle – a couple of route options to get there and I tagged onto a Black Combe Runners vest to guide me through the boggy bit – their local knowledge paid dividends.
A steep but runnable descent off the top and back down to the sting in the tail - a final climb up a farm road before turning and running down the finish field.
My legs were like jelly – 69 plus minutes for 5 and a bit miles and 1900’ of climbing, well down on my 2018 PB of 61 when I finished 3rd v60. I haven’t looked at where I placed this time!

Anyway – tea and a pie at the finish went down well!
It is a classic! 10 quid to enter, extensive prize list, chip timing and a pie plus really friendly crowd and as Peter would say ‘thatzwotitzaalaboot’!
Well done Black Combe Runners who put on a really well organised and enjoyable event!
Be a great event for a club weekend.............maybe next year??
If you fancy it, details are here.

Thanks to the cast of 32 who turned out for the Xmas panto at Lancaster Park on Thursday 9 December. Well - it looked like a cast of pantomime characters rather than elite athletes set to race 5k around 2 and a bit laps of the estate!
 
Numerous Santa hats, Anna Elf & Jill Elf, Kermit the frog dressed up as Scaifey, a Claire Christmas pudding, Gwenda's reindeer antlers  and Jill S's racy little tinsel number were all completely outdone by Eric's 'short' shorts that would have been more suited to a sun-kissed beach rather than a soggy housing estate!
 
Anyway - the race went well and everyone seemed to enjoy it despite the downpour. The atmosphere back at the hut was great for the presentation where Frances Naylor, Jill Sandeman and Ellie Blackburn took the first 3 places and Lee Bennett and Gwenda Cavill picked up prizes for best % effort!
 
Special thanks to George P and Mick Groves for the timekeeping, Dave Taylor and Linda for the lead bikes, Jane, Claire, Peter & Lindz for marshaling and Mike Steven for his computer wizardry that sorted the results in no time!
 
Mike and I really appreciated your support and send all best wishes for Christmas and the New Year!

Full results are available here.

Kevin Bray

First, hope this finds you & your families healthy.
 
GOLD STAR if you've kept your running going over the new year into January BUT - If you're feeling like me at the moment then you need a kick up the backside running wise!
 
Blimey, it's felt flat since New Year - combination of the news, lockdown, the weather, the MUD(!) plus (insert own circumstances)!
 
It looks as though a return to any kind of running events is someway off and in all likelihood the best chance of 'proper' competition this year is probably going to be on the track. Morpeth Harriers staged a series of safe & well organised events over the late summer and autumn. When I look at the logistics of trying to organise road races, trail races or fell races under the Tier 3 conditions it's not surprising that many events have been cancelled already. I suspect that the 'time trial' format of setting runners off in waves will be here for the foreseeable future.
 
In the hope that some sort of running events might occur before too long, several people have asked me to sort out some Handicap runs to give a bit of a target and incentive! The Tech Wizard Mr. Mike STEVEN is on board - we are up and running!
 
We are going to do the next 4 weeks, then a week off then another 4 weeks on - if the restrictions allow and we get the support!
 
Week 1; Mon 25/1/21 to Sun 31/1/21 - Run 1 Mile (primarily to ease ME back into things)!!
 
Week 2; Mon 1/2/21 to Sun 7/2/21 - Run 5 Miles
 
Week 3; Mon 8/2/21 to Sun 14/2/21 - Run 5 Km
 
Week 4; Mon 15/2/21 to Sun 21/2/21 - Run 10 Km
 
Week 5 - REST WEEK - should have been review of lockdown restrictions and depending on Tier rules, participation etc Mike and I will decide whether or not to keep the series going!!
 
You know the score - let us know your times by 5pm Sunday so that we can pull the results together - e mail. What's App or text!! All ages & all abilities welcome!!
 
We can exercise with another person so it might help to team up with someone to drag you out - doesn't matter if they have 4 paws or two wheels.......need's must!!!
 
The more the merrier and we look forward to hearing from you........& STICK IN!!
 
Kevin & Mike 
0789 6055 794 / 07903 884 682

Well having just had a look at these three things jump out;

1. We certainly did a job on poor Frances......sorry!
2. We certainly did a job on the Legend too.....sorry!
3. Poor Pieter Vermaas is NEVER going to hear the end of this!

Mike has chosen this week’s * runner – Ed Kirby - ever present and improved by over 2 minutes – well deserved Ed!
Prizes to first three in the handicap and top % age Gavin & Julie!
I mentioned last week about the possibility of organising a Christmas Handicap in a similar format to the usual event. Sorry, but it’s not going to happen for various reason’s concerning my own circumstances prior to and over Christmas. I’m also aware of the view that reducing contacts beforehand might mean less chance of spread and increased infection after Christmas – something that would benefit all of us.
I included you all in an e mail about NYD – if you are interested in running please get in touch asap so I have an idea of numbers and can continue planning a COVID secure event.
NEXT WEEK is going to be the final run in this series – so please send me your time by 5pm Sunday 20th – and Mike and I will sort out the results!
Thanks from both of us for your continued support,

Kevin & Mike

​Thanks again to everyone who turned out again this week – Mike and I really appreciate your interest and support!
First, I have to mention the amazing effort by Lorna MacDonald who ran her 5k in 19.21 on Monday and then set off at noon on Wednesday to run 100 miles around Morpeth. She did this in just over 20 hours. I know some of you were out running with her at various times and her mum Margaret was out with her during the early hours and at the finish at 8.20am on Thursday morning. So far she has raised £1350.00 for St. Oswalds Hospice and I know she appreciates the support that you have given her. WELL DONE LORNA! Canny mileage this week!

The handicaps
Welcome to this handicap series for one of the undoubted stars of the Spring shambles....Lucy4Paws!  She is somewhat handicapped already, despite having 4 legs and an amazing engine, because she has to wear a harness and drag round excess baggage by the name of Paul Banks!
After missing last week, welcome back Andrew Dippie, Richard Kirby, Sue Smith, Pam Woodcock and Gwenda Cavill who used me as a rolling road block on our trip from Blyth to Seaton Sluice and back before casually pulling onto my shoulder for the last 200m. I don’t actually think she dared go past me...... (Though she could have done so quite easily)!
Peter and Pam ran really well together with a new PB for Peter, and Alex joined us too and improved on his time!
We were very well behaved and ran as 2 x a rule of 2 plus half a rule of 2 but from 03122020 a 6 rule option plus more than rule of 6 if organised or coached is allowed! GOT IT – thought not! See below for clarification!
Guidance update (27 November 2020) - Athletics & Running (englandathletics.org)
Mr & Mrs Vermaas became Double Dippers round Lancaster Park and both achieved new PB’s so congratulation’s. I think I’ve got this next bit right?.........Mr V is generously offering to sponsor a prize for the first finisher who weighs in at over 14 stones! This week, its guess who! Next week it’s guess who etc. all the way to Christmas when Mr V will be able to go on a spree at the boxing day sales with his collection of Amazon vouchers!
Lancaster Park was also the scene of the tragic end of Will Clark's Olympic Dream as his -24 sec target turned into a +5 sec deficit – on such small margins hopes and dreams are shattered. To console Will I did a bit of digging and on the day of the 5000m Olympic Final I discovered Will could run in the soon to be revived Silksworth Slag Heap, Old Pit race’s – it’s not quite Tokyo. I’m sure Gavin and Pam will have memories of this classic event from way back. All the prizes were MEAT as it was sponsored by a local butcher – maybe these days you will get discounted entry if you are veggie?
Mentioning Gavin he had another superb run clocking 19.34 around Stobhill Grange and he took a second off last week’s run and every second counts as Laura pointed out to me last week.
I think Gavin was desperate to get his time recorded because he sent me the same email 3 times – or maybe it was just a senior moment shall we say!
Some nice touches this week in that Laura’s run was down as ‘Run with Dad’ and Stephen Johnstone had been out and cycled 35 miles with his dad before he did his 5k – and he ran quicker than last week by a couple of seconds! It’s nice to be able to share your running with people that matter in your life (but on occasions probably better if you’re not married to them when it comes down to %age stuff.......)?!
34 ran this week and 24 of you quicker than last so well done if that's you. Biggest improvers: Gary Mason, Jamie Johnson, Pam Woodcock, Sue Smith & Arjan Piet!
Biggest slider’s Margaret Macdonald (but did run over 40 miles this week including a nightshift with Lorna so good on you Margaret), Jane Kirby (been fell running the day before her 5k) and someone called Kevin Bray who has no excuse whatsoever!
John Butters another absolutely superb run clocking 16.37!!
Lee Bennett 18.10, Jamie 18.12, Ed H and Lindsey Quinn 18.40 (Lindsey had run her longest ever run 17 miles supporting her sister Lorna through the night so another brilliant effort), Rob Hancox 19.03, Gwenda & Pam, all great run’s and high %age scores
I have to mention Richard Glennie. I haven’t met Richard but he was on a bit of a downer when he sent his time in last week so when I messaged him back I suggested he try and hook up with someone of similar pace to run with. Well, this week I don’t think he did that, but he did run 9 secs quicker than last so things are going in the right direction! He messaged me yesterday with his time and said ‘at least I’ve arrested the decline’ and then ‘it definitely feels cup half full at present’!
Do you know what – I think we all get like that sometimes and often running at the club with a group gives you that little bit of a lift that you need! Hopefully soon?
Everyone taking part in this is out there doing it in very strange times and that’s what this is all about!
Anyway Richard – maybe the results will lift your spirits a bit and let’s all of us stick in!!
It’s a real shame that there are no proper races in the offing at the moment especially as so many of you are running so well.
An alternative might be to focus on something as a personal challenge and you might find some inspiration from this article written by Richard Kirby about the McWilliams Rounds that he, Paul Banks and Lucy4Paws completed in November. Here it is.
It contains suggestions and ideas for those of you who might be tempted but have never tried any sort of ‘off road / trail / multi terrain / hill running’ – it’s a great read!
Finally, to the results. Five of you plus a pooch over 80% plus another 3 of you knocking on the door - that is brilliant! Star Runner this week – has to be Lorna – well deserved!!
Thanks again to Mike for the computer wizardry and to all of you for making the effort.
Have a good run this week and look forward to hearing from you!
Kevin & Mike

Will Clark, teaching assistant & ex member of Epsom & Ewell Harriers in Surrey has found his form transformed since he moved north and joined Morpeth Harriers. He puts this transformation down to being regularly ‘hollered’ by Coach Gordon every Monday & Thursday night and the support of an ‘exceptionally talented group of athletes’..........???
Since signing up for the ‘Lockdown’ Handicap’s at Morpeth, Will has improved his 5k time by 24sec week on week!
He proudly pointed out to me that all he has to do is keep this going and he will be on the plane to Tokyo next summer... Sadly I had to point out to Will that I think there are a few people taking part in this series who are ahead of him in the queue – that doesn’t include me!
I need to be off the cake, off the drink and begin living the life of a monk if I am going to have any chance of competing with some of you lot!
Thanks to the 32 of you who took part this week – great turnout again.
Welcome to Rob Hancox and Gavin Bayne who have both made their mark in their first run of the series. More of that later!
Commiserations to Claire Calverley who has picked up a calf injury which I know can be troublesome to sort so best wishes for a speedy recovery Claire.
Missing after their epic journey around the L..o..n..g Mc Williams Round in the Cheviots on Saturday gone (43 miles plus goodness knows how much climbing) are Richard Kirby and Paul Banks – couldn’t manage 5k yesterday. Honestly!
To the best of my knowledge we had 4 PB’s this week so congratulations to Pieter Vermaas, Stephanie Purvis, Peter Reed and yet again Lindsey Quinn who after reading Ed Hillier’s comments about Stobhill Grange decided to head up there and managed to take yet another 25secs off her best!
I also have to mention Peter’s effort in a bit more detail.
Peter, who is 70 in January is an out and out fell runner (if you ever visit The Sill visitor centre on Hadrian’s Wall, Peter is the guy on the interactive display talking about Fell Running) and over a long  career including 500 plus races, a marathon on every continent, and various epic challenges including 2 x Everest Marathons, the only 5k’s he has ever run have been 25 Parkruns mainly on his favourite course at Whinlatter near Keswick. Yes, you’ve guessed, it is the hilliest Parkrun in the country! So, on Saturday at Druridge he got a new PB and maybe we will see him on the track next summer................?? Yeah, fat chance of that!!
As for Mr & Mrs Vermaas, well Mrs V was apparently a ‘sore loser’ after Mr V won last week’s handicap! However I did have to remind Mr V that he was well and truly thrashed by Mrs V in the %age effort stakes, which, once you reach a certain age is what really matters!
My meagre effort this week was on the ‘traditional’ route at Lancaster Park, where, as I was warming up, I met Mr and Mrs Bennett unloading new kitchen units from a van. We had a chat and it transpired (and they should know as its about 400m from their front door) that if you start at Curlew Hill / Pinewood Drive junction and run anti clockwise for two laps to finish at the post box you only have to do the ‘dip’ TWICE!!
As I have mentioned Stobhill has been popular, Loansdene too, and Jill Bennett told me lots of runners had been going past her front door! Neil Mcanany decided to thrash himself up and down the Fulbeck dip (?!), Margaret went to Hepscott, Laura ran at Ashington, Eric at Great Park, Alex at Blyth Parkrun route and Druridge for Liam and Peter – opposite ends of the age range there!
Haven’t heard from Adam in Regents Park so far this week but for creative thinking we go to Gavin Bayne for his Tranwell route and Frances Naylor who started west of Mitford and ran back towards the rugby club. She said it was a bit dicey dodging the traffic but boy it was worth it as she took 3.47 off last week’s time!
Frances along with Ed Kirby and Gary Mason are the people who ‘bust’ mine & Mike’s handicap system this week! Without these 3 delinquents we would have had 29 of you finishing inside 2min 35secs which isn’t bad is it especially as of the 33 starters this week, 24 have improved on your time from last week so good effort! If that’s not you don’t get down about it – you’re out there running which is the main thing! See if you can buddy up with someone of similar pace or get someone to pace you on a bike – it all helps!
Mention in despatches for some exceptional runs. Gavin Bayne – incredible 85.02 %age effort from Gavin who was 65 back in June. John Butters was quickest again with an absolutely outstanding 16.45, Rob Hancox blasting round Lancaster Park (the proper way or the Bennetts way?!) for an 82.96 %age, and Lee Bennett’s 80.14% on the 2 dip route all while fitting a new kitchen – is there no end to the man’s talents!
Lindsey (what does a girl have to do to break the 80% barrier?), Tim, Liam & Neil all pushing the 80% mark, and a lot of people in the 70%’s so some really good runs across all age groups!
Now – for those that haven’t heard, Lorna MacDonald is raising money for St. Oswald’s Hospice and is going to set off on Wednesday at 4pm to try and run 100 miles around by doing laps around Morpeth. She hopes to complete inside 24 hours which will be some challenge!
I’m sure we all wish her the very best of luck and kind weather!
Her just giving page is here; https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LornaMac13 if you wish to sponsor her!
Prizes for first 3 in the handicap, Frances, Arjan & Peter, plus top %age male, Gavin and female, Lindsey. Lots of candidates for * runner this week but we have decided that Sarah Routledge gets the prize. She’s on the up and she has never missed lockdown handicap run – well done Sarah!
Got another week of the current restrictions but then things might ease a little – keep an eye on the Harriers website and facebook page for updates once we get guidance from UK Athletics if things change. In the meantime stay safe and thanks for your interest and support.
Kevin & Mike