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There were thirteen Morpeth Harriers amongst the 428 finishers at the popular Port of Blyth 10k at the weekend. Always a sell-out, largely due to its reputation as one of the fastest courses in the North East, the event was run for the sixteenth time this year on a bright and breezy Sunday morning after the inevitable two year Covid-enforced hiatus . Starting from the staithes at the Port of Blyth, the route takes you out past Ridley Park and then onto the promenade before following the path through the dunes, turning round at Seaton Sluice and retracing its steps along the pavement, with only the tempting aroma of fish and chips from the Coastline cafe to distract any budding Alf Tuppers * en route. The impressive existing course record of 30 minutes 33 seconds was in fact set just over ten years ago by Peter Newton (then a Claremont Road Runner) who himself took it off another Morpeth Harrier, Mark Brown, with Sunderland Stroller Aly Dixon also setting a new women’s record of 33:27 in 2019. At the front of the race this year a leading group of four athletes headed by Tyne Bridge Harrier Michael Hedley quickly established itself, with Sunderland Harrier Liam Taylor, Alnwick’s Dave Richardson and Morpeth’s Tom Innes in close attendance. With Hedley able to up the pace slightly despite a troublesome crosswind on the return, he built a comfortable lead and won the race in a time of 32:30 with Taylor 2nd in 32:47 and Richardson 3rd (33:05). Tom was squeezed out of the top three and placed 4th in 33:37, but with Taylor and Richardson recorded as Over 35s, he was later awarded 2nd Senior Male, although later confessing to be a little disappointed in his run, particularly after some good performances in recent relays. The women’s race was won by experienced Jarrow and Hebburn athlete Alex Sneddon, in 22nd place overall, who finished in 36:36 with the early leader Elswick’s talented youngster Imogen Bungay 2nd in 37:55 and her club colleague Robyn Naylor 3rd (41:07). One of Morpeth’s best runs of the day came from seasoned vet Lee Bennett, now getting back to his racing best, who was 15th overall and 1st O/50 in 35:41. There was also another age category prize for the club, with Rob Hancox 2nd O/50 in 38:44 (‘this racing doesn’t get any easier as you get older!’). The fast course did provide three Morpeth personal bests however, with Shaun Land 32nd in 37:42 (although his Dad won the family bragging rights with a category prize), Tayla Murdy 105th and 5th Senior Female in 42:28, and Robyn Ferguson taking over three minutes off her previous best time for the distance when coming home 227th in 49:49. Other Morpeth finishers included: Graeme Thorpe, 40th and 6th O/45 in 38:15; Eric Adams, 50th in 39:07; Ed Hillier, 59th in 39:37; Andy Leeson, 75th in 40:38; Laura Mclean, 218th and 8th O/35 in 49:12 and last but not least, the return of two club stalwarts, Jim Alder ‘the younger’ (45:28) and the redoubtable ‘stormin’ Norman Clark, 5th Over 70 in 56:25. There was a sad coda, however, with post-race presentation and final results all delayed as a result of some naughty individuals who had run in other people’s numbers. This must have been particularly disappointing for organisers Blyth Running Club, as they had made very clear for weeks that numbers could be transferred until a week beforehand. The moral to all of us must be that, however tempting it might be to accept a place when someone who can’t run is offering you one, it can have very unfortunate consequences and cannot be something we or any other club could condone. *For the younger ones amongst you: Alf Tupper, legendary long distance athlete from the weekly cartoon magazine for boys, the Victor, and a stable of the formative years for many of us d’un certain age. Represented Tristan da Cunha in the Olympics (or was it in the Commonwealths?). Welder by trade. Hated the athletics establishment. Partial to a fish and chips supper. No resemblance whatsoever to any members of Morpeth Harriers…      Comments are closed.
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December 2024
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