Following what seems like an eternity of lockdown, we can report that actual athletics got underway on Saturday evening 25th July in Stretford in Manchester, when the British Milers Club hosted an Open Meeting, consisting of twenty one 800m events, with fourteen being run by Male athletes,
six by Female, with one Mixed race being tagged on at the end.

A total of 62 athletes took part, with a maximum of three athletes spread across the track in lanes,
recognising social distances in the two lap events.

The Summer calendar having been decimated by the Coronavirus epidemic,
most athletes certainly welcomed the unique opportunity to get back into
​some form of competitive action, albeit somewhat limited.

One such athlete was Morpeth Harrier Joe Armstrong, who lined up in what was
effectively the fourth fastest race on the programme.
Joe finished second to Menai’s Osian Perrin, an Under 20 Athlete,
who posted a winning time of 1m57.61s, which for him was a personal best.

Armstrong meanwhile finished in 1m58.33s, some four seconds outside his best, however,
will feel pleased to be part of the action following weeks of inactivity.

His time was nineteenth fastest of those in action on the night,
which also saw a few willing UKA Officials stretching their muscles again.

Nevertheless, it was good to see athletics seeing some form of competitive action again, which means that those involved in the sport can at least remain hopeful of getting back into some form of action, albeit extremely low key.

​Morpeth Harriers regret that we are unable to hold this year's Summer 10k,
which was due to take place in the first week in August.
While there has been some easing of lockdown nationally
and sporting fixtures have thankfully started to reappear,
it is not yet possible for us to hold an event like ours with several hundred runners.

As other clubs across the country, we await further guidance from UKA
and the government as to when and how such events can be safely held.
We very much hope to be able to stage the race later in the year,
perhaps over the festive period - so watch this space.
​
In the meantime, keep training and enjoying your running safely.

Many congratulations to Keith Weightman on answering last month’s
​Picture Quiz year successfully, it was 1983.

​For the July Picture Quiz, we offer you the chance to identify the above  current member of Morpeth Harriers, from a competitive occasion some time ago.

Many thanks to Shona Dawson Fenwick, Paul Bellingham and Peter Scaife for providing us with this photo. 
However, we will not be able to accept answers
​from any of those individuals I’m afraid.