Members and respected guests and friends of Morpeth Harriers & Athletics Club,
gathered to honour the clubs’ achievers and their achievements during 2016-2017,
at Bar Luga in Morpeth, on the evening of Sunday 26th November.
​
The event was once again organised and masterminded by Club Coach and Social Organiser Paddy Paulsen,
who with the valued assistance of husband Egil, and younger son Hans,
pulled of another superb event, that was attended by nearly 100 individuals.

Prior to the presentations, everyone enjoyed a two-course meal provided by Barluga,
and much appreciation was paid to their Management and Staff for a splendid fayre and service.

Honourable long serving Club Secretary Mike Bateman announced the various award winners,
who included trophy and medal winners from the clubs’ road championships,
and described the year as a whole being phenomenal in terms of the various successes,
highlighting the Division 1 NEYDL victory, plus the Sherman Cup success,
as particularly significant achievements, amongst many others.

There were also performance and service awards recognised,
particularly to Under 17 athlete Gracie Hufton, for much improved performance,
Peter Scaife for maintaining the club’s profile in his negotiations with local authorities,
and organising the club’s annual 10k Road Race, and Throws Coach Paul Reed,
for his hard work and dedication, working with athletes Ruaridh Lang, Andrew Knight,
Craig Charlton, and Charlotte Pickering-Pruvot .

Although unable to be present, Claire Reid was given a long-term
service award for her dedicated attendance in the Women’s Track Team.

Carl Avery received an award for the best Male Track Performance,
and Bobbie Griffiths was awarded for Best Female Field performer.

Organiser Paddy Paulsen made personal awards to Mike Bateman, Janet Peck, and Keira Peck.

Young Athletes Team Manager Dave Thomas, presented personal awards
to several Young Athletes on their years achievements.

There was a Prize Draw, with items being donated by Club Members, and the following organisations,
John Gerrard Premier Hair Salons (Morpeth), Marks & Spencer (Morpeth),
The Tranquillity Spa (Ashington Leisure), Morrison’s (Morpeth),
Riverside Lodge, Urban Spa Beauty Therapy (Morpeth),
Bin 21 (Morpeth), Manzil Tandoori Restaurant (Morpeth),
The Vault Café (Morpeth), The Electrical Wizard (Wetherspoons, Morpeth),
T & G Allan (Morpeth), Lollo Rosso Restaurant (Morpeth),
Start Fitness, Deborah Green Jewellers (Morpeth), Rutherford & Co Department Store (Morpeth),
The Black & Grey (Morpeth), Osborne’s Jewellers (Morpeth), Saks Hair & Beauty (Morpeth),
​Ephesus Turkish Restaurant (Morpeth), Costa Coffee (Morpeth), and Central Bean Coffee House (Morpeth),
and Morpeth Harriers & AC, would like to thank all for their utmost kindness
and generosity in ensuring the event was a great success

Finally, Many Thanks to all Members and Friends who were able to attend,
what was indeed a great celebration of the clubs many achievements.

With another full year in front of us, we look forward to an equally successful 2018.

Just to update members on current news on Jim Alder and Karl Taylor about their recent illnesses.

Jim is currently in Ward 10 of Cramlington Hospital, having been admitted in the early hours of the morning,
on Monday 27th November 2017, with some breathing problems caused by a heavy cold.
This has subsequently led to heartbeat problems, and currently he is awaiting transfer to the Freeman Hospital for further consultation, and a solution to his current problems, over the next few days.

Regarding Karl, who became ill during a training session on the evening of Monday 27th November 2017,
which resulted in him being admitted to Cramlington Hospital.
He was subsequently released later that evening, but is awaiting further tests
to determine the exact cause of his collapse, which certainly alarmed members who were present
at the clubhouse, and were called upon to assist, for which Karl himself is eternally grateful.

In the meantime, he will not be returning to competitive action, which is a
body blow for the club with major competitions on the immediate horizon.

We are sure that members would wish to offer both Jim and Karl,
​Best Wishes for Speedy Recoveries.

Eight athletes from Morpeth Harriers travelled to Liverpool on Saturday 25th November 2017, to compete in the third meeting of the British Cross Challenge, which also incorporated the European Trials, and were held on the usually demanding conditions in Sefton Park, of ankle deep mud.

As a result of his finishing an excellent fifth in the Under 20 Men’s event, Scott Beattie who is currently studying at Tulsa University in America, will be lining up in the GB team that takes part in the European Cross-Country Championships, in Samorin, Slovakia on 10th December.

It is a great and welcome opportunity for Beattie, who earlier this year was in his country’s line up for the World Championships, which were held in a dry and dusty South Africa.
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Unfortunately, it also means that Beattie will be missing the North Eastern Cross-Country Championships at Redcar, which are held on the same weekend, where he would have been defending the title that he won in fine style at Aykley Heads twelve months ago.

Another superb Morpeth performer in Liverpool on Saturday, was Under 17 Man Rory Leonard,
who only lost out for victory by a meagre seven seconds in a hard-fought contest.
Cambridge and Coleridge athlete Thomas Keen won the event,
and Leonard also fended off the very close attentions of George Pool of Hastings,
and Josh Dickinson of City of York, to claim the runners up spot.

In the very competitive Senior Men’s event, Carl Avery was the first home of Morpeth’s three finishers.
Avery finished a well accomplished 33rd, and the club’s other athletes in the event were James Taylor (135th),
​and Under 23 athlete James Young, who finished slightly behind in 149th spot, and was 48th in his age group.

Morpeth also had three athletes in the equally competitive Senior Women’s event.
​
First home was Scottish Under 23 International Mhairi MacLennan,
who finished a superb 14th, but not far in front of Commonwealth Games bound Laura Weightman,
who gave her all in finishing 20th, and the clubs trio were completed by Emma Holt,
who finished a very accomplished 50th.

MacLennan will also be on the European Championship plane
alongside club colleague Beattie, by virtue of being fourth Under23.

The next outings for Weightman and Holt will be those forthcoming regional championships at Redcar,
when it is hoped that they will mount a formidable club challenge, and for the former,
a chance of retaining the title that she won twelve months ago.

Overall, a good day for the club in Liverpool, two qualifying for the
European Championships, and one making the podium on the day.

The Intermediate Boys of King Edward VI School in Morpeth,
made up entirely of athletes from the ranks of Morpeth Harriers,
finished eighth out of 27 teams in Saturday’s English Schools
Cross Country Cup Final, held at Sevenoaks School in Kent
on Saturday 25th November 2017.

They were led home by Euan Duffin, who finished in sixteenth place.
The other three scoring performances came from Thomas Cunningham (33rd),
Dylan Davies (47th), and Ben Walker (94th).

Additional non-scoring performances came from
​ Ben Waterfield (125th), and Dylan Gooding (129th).