Excessive amounts of rain, followed by extremely high winds brought the first casualty of the 2015 Winter athletics programme at the weekend, with the cancellation of the Elswick Harriers Norman Woodcock Road Race on Saturday 5th December, scheduled to be held on a new course at Newburn Industrial Estate being the first to fall, because of water-logging in several areas on the planned route. Unfortunately the severe weather conditions, involving heavy rain and strong winds, forced organisers to cancel the annual Hexhamshire Hobble Multi Terrain/Fell Racing event in Allendale on Sunday 6th December. Thankfully the overnight high winds that lashed the region during Saturday night, had somewhat abated near to the coastal areas by the time the annual Blyth Sands Race was due to get underway from the Dave Stephens Centre, at South Beach, Blyth,on Sunday 6th 2015 The only obstacle of note that the 132 finishers faced, was a rare high tide, which unfortunately meant that there was a fair degree of soft sand for them to encounter on the usual out and back route between Blyth Harbour, and Seaton Sluice Harbour. Amongst the finishers were four athletes from Morpeth Harriers. The first to finish from the club was Paul Waterston, who finished third, and was first Over 50 Man. One place behind him was club colleague Peter Scaife, who was first Over 55 Man. Mark Snowball of Morpeth finished 14th, and was third Senior Man. The Morpeth Harriers quartet of finishers was completed by Archie Jenkins, who finished in 65th place overall, and was sixth Over 60 Man. Despite the prevailing poor weather on Saturday 5th Dember 2015, several early morning Park Run’s in the region were largely unaffected. One of those runs was the Newcastle event, where three Morpeth Harriers were very prominent amongst the leading finishers. First of those, and the first to finish overall was Ross Floyd, who completed the 5k circuit in 16m42s, which not surprisingly, because of conditions, was around forty seconds adrift of his best on the course. He was only one second in front of his Morpeth club colleague Thomas Straughan, who more surprisingly actually bettered his previous on the course. The third Morpeth Harrier amongst the leading finishers was Michael Thomsen, who was fifth in 18m30s, and just over a minute down on his best. Dame Allan’s Senior School finished 14th in the Intermediate Boys event at the English Schools Cup Final Cross Country Championship, held at Beauchamp School in Bedford on Saturday 5th December 2015. Daniel Melling of Morpeth Harriers was the squads second counter, finishing 54th in a 140 strong field of competitors. The regions other representatives Newcastle Royal Grammar School finished 23rd. TRAVEL - A1M roadworks south of Scotch Corner.
The closure is expected to be removed from 8am on the 12th, and not start again until 8pm. ARRIVAL - 'Real' toilets are available at the Hardwick Park visitor centre, between the car park and event area - see the map for location. DEPARTURE - When leaving, if heading for A1(M) turn LEFT out of the hotel and head towards Coxhoe on the A177 then follow the signs to join the A1 at junction 61, Durham Services. (This will avoid a right turn out of the hotel). This route is also good for A19 North (Sunderland via A690, Tyne Tunnel via A194(M)) If going to Teesside or A19 south then turn LEFT out of the hotel and proceed up the A177 until the duel carriageway at the top of a hill, turn right here (signed Trimdon/Fishburn) , right at T junction and then follow signs to A689. This will be much faster than trying to turn right at the hotel exit. This is an update of instructions posted on Facebook. The Venue map is an update to the one previously published |
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